Posted by on March 14, 1998 at 18:39:54:
is it possible to get a job and a home without a work and residence permit beforehand, after having entered sweden already with a tourist visa, considering that my swedish is poor? all the advice about the swedish companies is really good, thanks. also, i've been to sweden a dozen times, at least. i really like it a lot for tons of reasons, which have been stated on the board already. though, i do have some hesitations which i will use to console myself if i'm not fortunate enough to be able to find a job and a home there. first, i'm concerned about racism against dark-skinned immigrants. then, i'm concerned about the low-points of a socialist government and the effects it has on morale. i'm also concerned about the general conservativism of swedes, socially. finally, i'm concerned about swedes and their notorious excessive drinking and melancholia fits on weekend nights on-the-town. i've enjoyed sweden plenty throughout my years growing up, having spent virtually every summer there. but i always felt that my relatives were unhappy about the effects of the government's constant intrusiveness on their personal lives. sweden's permissive politics are world-famous. sure, people get naked on the beach. but sex is strictly under-the-table. the unicultural schema of sweden also makes for some naive conversations and cultural attractions. and considering that one pays so many taxes, there are too many public services and common goods (e.g., transportation, toilets, food, etc.) that cost too much! also, i have plenty of direct and indirect knowledge of the pervasive, sometimes subtle and sometimes raging, xenophobia in sweden. lastly, my family and i have always been wary of enjoying the city's fun spots because of the negative influence alcohol has on many swedes. and then there is the weather: nine months of winter and three months waiting for summer; even local swedes hate their own weather. and i forgot to mention that i hate obligatory military service. however, of all uni-cultures in the world, i prefer sweden's. i love their kindness. i love the environment. i love the food. i love my family. and i love the general swedish physical aesthetic. so on the whole subject of how i feel about sweden, i'd love to hear some reactions and explanations from anyone. and, please don't forget to answer my questions about work and a job without permits, after arriving in sweden with just a tourist visa and poor swedish-speaking abilities. my e-mail is pepi@mailcity.com. or you can of course leave a response here. i'm looking forward to hearing from you. thanks for your help. it's so valuable to me! pepi
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