How Swedish immigration rules fuel 'chronic anxiety' for foreign researchers

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish teacher and book publisher Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, as well as The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. In this edition we get to grips with why Sweden has so many bomb shelters, where you can find them, and what state they're in.We also look at the results of our poll on how easy or hard it is to learn Swedish and we get some really excellent tips from our guest Sofi on the most important things to bear in mind if you want to master the lingo. Last but not least, we discuss a Swedish Easter tradition so unusual that none of us had even heard of it until our intrepid reporter Becky Waterton started doing some paschal digging. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Apr 202235min

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined Indian dancer and project manager Aradhana Varma and The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.In this edition our guest Aradhana tells us about her dance group IndiskFika's television adventures as well as what it was like moving from India to Sweden and the cultural differences that took some getting used to. We also discuss the Swedish government's decision to press ahead with plans for an iron ore mine on Sami lands in northern Sweden and the historical background that makes the move so controversial. And we reveal the results of a poll in which we asked if listeners had experienced people finding creative ways to sidestep the queues in Sweden for services like healthcare, housing and education. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Apr 202233min

In the latest episode of The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. In this episode we hear from Ukrainian refugees in Malmö, check in on Sweden's Nato debate, and we examine Sweden's plans to send more weapons to help repel the Russian invasion. We also reveal the results of a listener poll on Sweden's rising cost of living and discuss how it's affecting people and what the government is doing to dampen the impact. And we dig into the findings of a survey suggesting that the most important issues for readers of The Local are healthcare, education, and immigration. Finally, we focus a little bit extra on the enduring problem of people being deported as a result of their employers' administrative errors. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Mar 202230min

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by lecturer and author David Crouch as well as The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. In this episode we discuss how prepared Sweden is to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. We also examine the results of our listener poll about Swedish for Immigrants classes, and we get tips on learning Swedish from our guests. Finally, we talk to David Crouch about his article this week asking if there is such a thing as a typical Swede. You can listen to the episode HERE. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Mar 202234min

In the first episode of the second season of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we discuss how Sweden is adapting to a new security situation in Europe. We reveal the results of our reader poll on whether Sweden should join Nato. And what about the EU's mutual defence clause? Is it a paper tiger or a concrete promise? And is Sweden's Cold War total defence strategy making a comeback? We also ask Karina Shyrokykh of Nordic Ukraine Forum what people in Sweden can do to help Ukrainians.Let us know what you think by emailing news@thelocal.se, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Mar 202232min

In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards, The Local Sweden’s Editor Emma Löfgren and freelance journalist Isabella Anderson discuss Sweden’s new migration law and how it will affect residence permit-holders when it comes into force next week.We also give listeners an update on the current coronavirus situation in Sweden, and reveal the results of our latest poll: Have The Local’s readers adopted the Swedish philosophy of four-week summer holidays, or do you prefer to save your holidays to get away in winter?Dutch freelance journalist Anne Grietje Franssen also joins us from her home in the Gothenburg archipelago, to talk about Swedish friluftsliv and life on an island.Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Jul 202131min

In the latest episode of our podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s publisher James Savage talks about the cyberattack that knocked out hundreds of supermarkets across Sweden, and what this means for such a tech-dependent society.Also in this week’s episode: Sweden Editor Emma Löfgren gives us an update on the government crisis and its impact on the future of Swedish politics, Europe Editor Catherine Edwards talks about the bureaucratic hurdles many foreigners in Sweden face when it comes to getting access to the Covid-19 vaccine pass, and we reveal the results of a reader poll: Is it hard to make friends with Swedes?The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Jul 202133min

In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus, journalism professor and this week’s opinion columnist Christian Christensen explains why it’s a problem that international media focus so overwhelmingly on the far-right when they cover Swedish politics.Europe Editor Catherine Edwards talks about the pros and cons of introducing language requirements for permanent residence, and journalist Richard Orange joins us from his under-construction summer cabin to talk about the process of building a house in rural Sweden.Also in today’s episode: Journalist Isabella Andersson reveals some of the most common stereotypes about Swedes, and whether they’re correct.The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Jul 202132min