For six months I took a job with the city of Hassleholm. Because I am 30 years old, have over 15 years of experience in my field and a Bachelors’ degree in Communications Studies, I never could have predicted that fixing coffee in Sweden would be one of the most profound learning experiences in my lifetime.
Although I don't consider my job at the city as a resume booster, I know for a fact that I could never be as happy or as well adjusted as I am living in Sweden today without having the experience.
Even though it was not glamorous work, I found out very soon that I could find ways to make the job work "for me". Because I was in charge of putting together all the food and beverage services I learned so much about Swedish foods and how they should be served. I was forced to speak Swedish with the staff and wholesale food vendors when I made orders each week because they could not speak English. I made an effort to say "Hej!" and smile at everyone who crossed my path, whether they liked it or not.
I found intense pleasure in planning decorative arrangements for traditional Swedish "Fika food". My supervisor did not understand my obsession with making everything beautiful. He thought that I was making everything way too fancy and that I was giving a level service that was not necessary for the type of work place we were in. He would always remind me that I was not working a Bloomingdales anymore. What he did not understand was that by giving the level of service I did I was getting what I needed from the job. Whether he thought it was necessary or not my level of service was appreciated by most members of the staff. Because those members of the staff enjoyed how I was serving fika they were more apt to be patient with my horrible Swedish. Those staff members that took the time to speak Swedish or English with me while I worked helped me feel respected and more a part of Swedish culture. In exchange for me fixing a nice fika for them, they became my guides and my friends in a country where I knew nothing and no one.
After two months of having left my job I went back for a visit yesterday. It was so nice to chat with everyone and I understood much more Swedish than I ever thought was possible when I first arrived a year ago. I don't think that my former colleges will ever understand what huge contributions they have made to my assimilation to Swedish culture while they were chatting with me about everything from politics to home decor next to the coffee maker. I am not sure if I will ever think of the right way to thank them.
