Vita sene libertate nihil
I really like how Swedish government works, taking care of all branches of citizens life. Analyzing current problems and discussing solutions Swedes don’t try to change lifestyles and mentality of people – they are changing the things that cause troubles. Here come a few examples from different spheres. If speaking about education – Swedes receive free and high quality education. As usual there are like 15 pupils in the class and everyone receives laptop from school for free. Studying in university is also free (despite some private schools) and there are lots of possibilities to receive part-funded or full scholarship. Comparing to Ukraine, where most of the roads are old and destroyed - Sweden has perfect one. Many years ago government’s task was to decrease car accidents to minimum (and make their amount 0 in near future). They realized that high penalties won’t change the situation, so they decided to make road system perfect, not people. They started to build “2+1” roads, which means that road lines has two opposite ways and 1 extra which changes direction due to traffic capacity. Moreover, there were created thousands of new road crossings; put many lights; built separate and safe bike roads. Additionally, the strict program against drunk driving was implemented (by the way Sweden is famous for anti-alcohol policy, which also works). Speed limit was also increased and lots of road cameras started being used. Finally, there were built lots of barriers between road lines. All of that decreased death caused by road accidents to the lowest in the world (3 deaths per 100 thousand people, while in Ukraine this indicator is four times bigger). Library, I had visited recently is also amazing. Divided into two parts (Swedish and international) it offers huge number of books and magazines. Speaking about Ukraine, where you should ask library worker to find a book, here you can do it online. Add free Wi-fi, comfortable sofas for reading and you won’t be surprised why libraries here, in our modern era, are crowded all day long. Finally, one more thing, which I really liked, is culture houses or Kulturhusets. Place for a good leisure opened for everyone. It is the place where youth can come and enjoy lots of activities for free. For instance, the one which I have visited recently is really huge and 6 floors. Music studio, study circles, open discussions and debates, concerts, poetry evenings and many-many other interesting events.
This is how government works in this country. But as old Chinese proverb says “citizens have the government they deserve”. So, maybe problems in Ukraine are connected not only with it?
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I always get surprised how everything is developed and balanced in Sweden. Every part of mechanism works like new Swiss watch. Trains and buses are 99% on time, if something is wrong, you would see notification about problem and next departures in your mobile app. Even in the less important route somewhere on the various Stockholm islands. As usual, locals also plan their daily schedule, what makes them to be on time and don’t hurry up. Everything is planned, so don’t feel offended when someone would refuse you in a meeting in a few days, few weeks or even few months. Yes, planning is very important part of Swedish life, most of them already know exact date and what they would … this winter, some of them already planned next summer vacation, I am sure. It is very common to go outdoors for a weekend, to buy some food and one-time grill and enjoy free day at one of the hundreds of spots to chill. One of them I have visited last weekend – Nynäshamn, separate town 60 min by train outside Stockholm. On Saturday it was crowded by people going to chill near Baltic see. Add big old forest, rocks and extremely good salty air and you would meet lots of Swedes melting under the last sun. But it’s a huge country so it’s a not an issue to find your own separate place. one of the baltic sea harboursIf speaking about free space, I was pleasantly surprised how animals live in the zoo. Skansen – one of the seldom outside museums in the world is famous for showing authentic Swedish houses and metal and wooden crafts. Moreover, you can see typical Swedish animals – wolves, bears and elks. They live in such big “apartments” that I was kind of amazed viewing it. Big, maybe half of the football field, for every kind of animal, plus different locations for them to chill from noisy people and lots of toys. Everything is wisely covered by fence, the lowest part of which is made from glass (for the youngest visitors). Comparing to Ukraine, where animals suffer in small cages, Swedish ones should not suffer living in captivity. Another interesting detail, about Swedish lifestyle is that if couple has a child, husband also goes to decree vacation. Children raising here is a very important process and both of the parents must be involved. Its very common, that, while wife is working, husband is busy with house work. And this can last even for a year. Sounds really weird for East European countries.
Time is running fast and recently I had noticed that in October it would be already 6 month when I am living in Sweden. Half of EVS period is a nice time to think about your achievements, to analyze and make plans for future. Moreover, I am going back in Ukraine for a few days to see my family and friends and to manage with future NGO in my native town. Finally, it would be another month when I would be looking for accommodation, because my contract expires again. So, if someone in Stockholm has a free room… |
AuthorMyhailo Skrypchuk's blog. EVS volunteer in AUE (2016-2017). Stockholm, Sweden Archives
Декабрь 2016
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