Study abroad in Sweden (transfer, school, live in)

[Cape diem]

Well i have been surfing the internet and researching on where i would like to begin to study abroad and stockholm seems to be interesting although i am open to other suggestions. Currently i live in California and train as a firefighter and work as a bartender. This is more of a way of me testing the waters before i decide to make the move to Europe. Im looking at learning Swedish, German, and French. I am curious as to how firefighting is in Sweden and if major citys are paid or just volunteer? I work for an ambulance company as well. I am also curious as to how my certification would be transfered over if they infact can be?

[Mr,Jonas]

Check out this site and click the English button.

[Mr,Jonas]

Here is the link.
Sorry.
Stockholms brandförsvar

[Sweden]

>http://www.srv.se/templates/SRSA_default____20877.aspx<

(I can't link to websites anymore, but this is the address to räddningsverket, the authority that deals with firefighting etc., if you copy it and remove the > and < . It's the English version.)

Unfortunately, I don't know eaxctly how someone from abroad can start working as a firefighter in Sweden, but I've sent an email to the person in charge of educational questions at räddningsverket about your situation, and am now hoping for an answer back. Stay tuned

Fire fighting in Sweden can be both volunteer and paid, though I believe most are paid. One can work full time or part time. If one is working part time, one will have to be able to respond to a call within 5 minutes (if it's one's "duty week/s").
If you decide to come over, you can visit a fire fighting station and ask for a tour around the station and have all your questions answered. (It's very interesting what they do- I've visited the local station several times during my school time, both with school and other organisations)

I'll get back to you when I know more. Please feel free to ask anything you want

[ian6479]

Originally Posted by Cape diem

I am curious as to how firefighting is in Sweden? I am also curious as to how my certification would be transfered over if they infact can be?

The Swedes use something called 'water' most of the year round. If there is a fire in July or August, everyone is on vacation and whatever is on fire is reduced to ash. Your certificate would have to be inflammable due to EU regulations

[Cape diem]

well i have completed the american way of become a firefighter and have all the needed certification to become one in america except paramedic which is only recommened. along with that i have experience at a volunteer fire station. Im also looking at becoming bilingual in dutch and swedish ive heard rosetta stone is a good way of learning but the price is expensive. i guess what i need is a connection on the other side of the pond to help me out alot, i have tons of questions. thank you agian.

[bluepacific]

Be prepared for some of the worst climate on the planet as far as cold and rain. I'm from So Cal and I do live there and I hardly go out anywhere. It's impossible to plan for anything like an outdoors picnic with friends. The culture is a bit stiff and reserved , nothing at all like their cousins the Danes to the South. I think their Socialist upbringing has much to do with shaping that.

It's about the same latitude as Alaska and so your winter sunlight will be radically diminished. As far as fires , there is no comparison to So Cal. Rains to much , but I'm sure they do get them. My wife says the do once in a while.

Just be prepared for culture shock.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by bluepacific

Be prepared for some of the worst climate on the planet as far as cold and rain.

That all depends on your opinion of the worse climate. I think the hot and dry climate of sothern california sucks.

Originally Posted by bluepacific

The culture is a bit stiff and reserved , nothing at all like their cousins the Danes to the South. I think their Socialist upbringing has much to do with shaping that.

This has more to do with a Swedish/Scandanavian upbringing than a socialist one. People in heavily Swedish/Norwegian settled areas of the United States like MN have a similar culture even today. If it was caused by a Socialist upbringing the Danish and Dutch would act the same way.

[bluepacific]

Originally Posted by moving123456

That all depends on your opinion of the worse climate. I think the hot and dry climate of sothern california sucks.
Wonder why the have the highest depression and suicide rate in the world then.


This has more to do with a Swedish/Scandanavian upbringing than a socialist one. People in heavily Swedish/Norwegian settled areas of the United States like MN have a similar culture even today. If it was caused by a Socialist upbringing the Danish and Dutch would act the same way.

Well , unless my wife and friends and older generation are lying to me. They said that the culture was never that way , prior to the 1960s.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by bluepacific

Wonder why the have the highest depression and suicide rate in the world then.

List of countries by suicide rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia