When I was in middle school, I found a little fictional book, no more than two dollars, hidden in a bargain store, about an American girl studying abroad in Sweden. Although it was a fictional book, I became enamored with Sweden and started researching it since then. I had never before thought about Sweden as more than a name on the globe, but after learning about it, I know it is a place that I can't wait to travel to someday.
1. Sweden is ranked number 2 for their citizens' "Quality of Life."
According to usnews.com, the only country ahead of Sweden is Canada for their quality of life. This includes taking into account how economically and politically stable they are.It also looks at how good their job market is, and how affordable, safe, and family friendly the country is, as well as how well-developed their public education and health care systems are. Income equality is also a factor in this category.
2. Cinnamon Bun Day
That's right! The Swedes have a day dedicated to cinnamon buns. It's called Kanellbullens dag and is celebrated on October 4th. Sweden is thought to be where cinnamon rolls originated. A true blessing to the world.
3. The Aurora Lights
If you go to northern Sweden, there's a pretty good chance you will be able to see the Aurora Lights, a beautiful spectacle not many people have the chance to see during their lifetimes.
4. The Ice Hotel
In Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, every year a hotel is rebuilt from ice and snow for people travelling through northern Sweden. How "cool" is that?
5. Fika
Swedish people have fika every day, sometimes twice a day. it is when people take a break from their lives to drink coffee and eat pastries. That's a meal I can get behind.
6. Sweden has closed the gender pay gap by 81 percent.
It may not be one hundred percent closed, but it is more than many other countries have done. According to the Global Gender Gap Index of 2014, Sweden has the fourth smallest gender pay gap in the world. The U.S. is at number 20 on this list.
7. The architecture
Swedish architecture ranges from incredibly progressive contemporary buildings to beautifully-styled traditional buildings from long ago.
8. You can pay your taxes by sending a text message.
As of 2004, paying taxes in Sweden just continues to get easier and easier.
9. Parental leave and childcare
Parents in Sweden get 13 months of paid maternity leave. During this time, fathers are also required to take at least one month of paternity leave to take care of a new baby. Daycare costs for children in Sweden is dependent on the family's income and when having a new baby, the other children in the family receive one month of free daycare to allow the parents to focus on the new baby.
10. Environmentally friendly
99 percent of solid waste is recycled in Sweden, leaving just one percent of it being put into landfills. 48 percent of Sweden's energy use is done by renewable resources, and in 2011, the Swedish govenment created a new agency to help protect marine life and to help polluted bodies of water.
11. The landscape
Sweden is absolutely beautiful.
