The final week of my study abroad has came and went, and what a ride it was! The last couple of days were filled with finishing touches on my work, farewells, and a couple of final excursions. Me and my roommate went to the National Museum to look at some Swedish art, and also watched the Odyssey in the theater!

On Thursday I flew home, first a three hour flight then a six hour flight (plus a two hour drive home — I was exhausted). It was so nice to see my parents and sleep in my own bed after two months!

This week’s question is about how ideas of success in the workplace differ in Sweden compared to America.

In the US, our ideas of success are heavily related to “hustle culture”, as in doing as much as you can to work as much as possible. People who lead projects, present ideas, and climb the corporate ladder are the most successful here.

In Sweden, some ideas are similar; people who suggest ideas and bring their own work to the table are seen as more successful. However, because of the more lax work culture and flat hierarchy, corporate leadership and promotions are not the end-all be-all of success. People who work overtime or more than they’re paid for are seen as strange or working too much. People take long vacations in the summer to relax, and other interests and activities outside of work are given more weight compared to the US.

Suggesting ideas and new initiatives is also more prioritized for all employees, not just management or upper level staff. Even as an intern, my ideas were taken into account and given room to grow. In the US, lower-level employees and interns rarely have their ideas taken into account.

Overall, Sweden was an amazing place to work in! I loved the work culture and how much individuals have their ideas and health prioritized, especially compared to the prioritization of company interests and corporate penny pinching that we often see in the United States.