SFI can be tough work.
In March, the snowfall eased up a little. We had more light during the days and saw more people out and about. Whenever I got excited thinking that the winter was behind us, some of my friends kept me grounded by reminding me that there could be snow even until late April.
The new batch of classes begun at SFI, and I was happy to join them. I've always enjoyed learning languages and I realized the importance of knowing Swedish during my upcoming job search.
So, I was looking forward for the classes to start. My first day at SFI left me puzzled for most part. The class had people from different nationalities, language and culture. It was not easy to make friends right away and interact. The teacher started with an introduction and a walk-through of the entire course.
She also explained the different levels in SFI and the associated exam requirements. She mostly spoke Swedish, so it was not easy to comprehend. Some students were able to understand and respond, which made me wonder if I was in the right class. At the end of first day, though the teachers had been kind and I interacted with a few new people, I was unsure about my ability to learn the language. But I decided to keep attending the classes regularly.
With each passing day, I was able to understand a little more. I became familiar with some of the basic Swedish words and after a while, I was able to introduce myself in Swedish. I learnt to greet others and form basic sentences. I began appreciating the rationale behind the immersive teaching methodology and started participating actively in the classes.
Then came our move from the city center to our new home in Kåge. We had lots to arrange and to buy.
We explored many household stores in Skellefteå. Clas Ohlson had multiple options for appliances and lights while we found many housing goods at reasonable prices at Rusta and Biltema.
Considering the low frequency of buses from Kåge into town and Northvolt, we decided to buy a car to make our daily commute easier. It was important for us to understand the various processes and fees you need to deal with before purchasing a car. Some friends who had previously purchased a car in Sweden gave us some valuable advice.
We started exploring different dealerships in Skellefteå. To our surprise, we came across multiple options with both new and old vehicles available. There were many options to lease as well, but we decided to buy. We found Gustafssons Bil to be one of the best dealers in the city. They had a wide range of second-hand and new cars in good condition. They clarified our questions, supported us with financing options and documentation formalities.
Their customer-oriented approach made the buying process smooth. Having our own vehicle allowed us to see the city through a different lens. We explored places around the city that we might not have otherwise. It saved a lot of time and made living in the city easier and more enjoyable.
My husband and I are avid travelers, always seeking new adventures. Moving to Sweden presented us with a unique opportunity to explore a new country and embark on European journeys. We thoroughly enjoyed our first Swedish Christmas and were eager to discover another European destination for Easter. I couldn't wait to find out which city would be our next stop!
Also read: From hot to not: Indian couple's brave leap to northern Sweden
This is a column and the views are the author's own.
Don't miss Sushma's next column in two weeks' time.