It will be hard to summarize everything I learned about Swedish culture this semester but what amazes me most about my experience this semester has been how central Swedish culture has been to my language studies. I have been able to construct a Swedish study program around various topics of interests and through conversation with my language partner. Throughout the term I have discussed such diverse topics as food, travel, tv shows, political controversies, public health, abortion debates, women's rights, immigration policies, and much more. I have learned so much about in these areas that have revealed a little more about the way Swedes perceive what is right or wrong, acceptable, politically controversial, and socially appropriate. I have learned more about the responsibilities of the state and of citizens and how this reflects concepts of equity, an idea I find that has permeated many aspects of Swedish culture.
There is also a strong desire to remain transparent, open, and responsible in politics, environmental policies and immigration policies. These are only some of the broader ideas I encountered during my studies of Swedish culture and language. Furthermore, I found the structure of Swedish language to reflect the need to cooperate and build upon social and linguistic foundations. Words are usually created by adding root words to create longer more intricate concepts. I find this most fascinating and see similar word structures in languages such as German and other north-Germanic languages.
Through the other cultural presentations presented in class I have learned more about other cultures and realize there were other areas addressed in these presentations which would be very interesting to explore within Swedish culture such as music and entertainment.
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