This summer, I decided to visit my boyfriend and his family in Sweden — here are some things that really surprised me when I was there.

1. Most People Speak English

Not only did this ease my unenthusiastic family, but it made the flight out to Sweden all the more simple. Truth be told, I'm not a highly outgoing person. I don't like inconveniencing people with questions that can be perceived as idiotic or blatantly obvious. It took a lot of personal pep talks to build up the nerve to bother the flight attendants and airport staff, but when I did I was so relieved to know that everyone who I did talk to spoke perfect English. To make things even better, a lot of the digital signs transitioned between Swedish and English.

2. It Is Always ''Sunny''

The sun never sets. While this is only applicable to the utmost north of Sweden, it is something that really fascinated me. Science isn't really my forte, but if I understand correctly then it has something to do with part of it being within the Arctic Circle. Essentially, it is at a point so high on the earth's axis that its rotation doesn't really affect the amount of sunlight Sweden receives. The darkest I've seen it get is between 02.00 and 04.00, but even then, it only gets dusky outside. As cool as it is though, it can really mess with your perception of time. At the time of writing this, I have been in Sweden for about three days, and it is still messing up my circadian rhythm.

3. Foreign Kiosks

Apparently, there are these stands that sell commonplace American goodies like Hershey's chocolate, Reese's, Twinkies, sno balls, and so much more. What really caught me off guard was the fact that they charge outlandish prices for what is typically overwhelmingly average American junk food.

4. Bicycles Are Very Popular

Admittedly, I grew up in the rural Missourian countryside and military bases, so I'm not sure what the average town, let alone city is like, but, from what little I have seen of Sweden, everyone and their mother owns and actively uses a bicycle. Cyclists have their own lanes on sidewalks, and ordinary pedestrians respect that it isn't a lane for walking. Part of me just knows that had these sidewalk bicycle lanes been Stateside, no one would try to avoid using the wrong lane.

5. No Big Pizza Chains

While we entertain a lot of arguments about which pizza chain is the best, Swede's don't, for the simple reason that these chains are nonexistent. No, instead they opt for smaller, family-run pizzerias. While I am all for supporting the little guy, it was a bit disheartening to learn that these pizzeria's don't even use mozzarella on their pies.

6. There's A Lot Of American Influence

Being an American, I was always raised with the impression that other countries don't like us. Given President Trump's comments about Sweden, I would imagine that they downright despise America, and yet American flags and American music can be seen and/or heard everywhere. I'd say that the American flag here, is the same as the British flag is to us: fashionable, a pop culture icon, etcetera. Furthermore, while Sweden is home to the most metal bands, their radio is chalked full of American rock (mainly alternative rock from what I have heard) and pop. It could just be the stations the driver had set, but even that says something, doesn't it?

7. Gambling Advertisements Are EVERYWHERE

I think my shock to this comes from the fact that ''sinful'' vices aren't typically advertised in such a blasé fashion. At least, I have never seen any on television. I sat down and watch television for about an hour and a half, and in that time I saw at least three different casinos, either virtual or physical, advertised.

8. A Lot Of Channels Aren't In Swedish

Given how much of the population here speaks English then it really shouldn't be all that surprising that so much of their television is in English, too. It is just one of those things that I thought I'd have to give up for the duration of my visit. A lot of the channels I surfed through hosted very familiar television shows like "How I Met Your Mother," "The Simpsons," and the notorious, ¨Seinfeld.¨ Naturally, these channels all did have subtitles.

9. Exotic Soda Flavors

Truth be told, I'm not big into soda — or sweets for that matter — but when I learned about pear, peach, raspberry, and kiwi flavored sodas the little kid in me was awoken. In the states, the ''craziest'' flavor I can recall was pineapple, and given how glorified it is becoming, that's not even that bizarre. From the flavors I have tried (peach and kiwi) they're exceptionally delicious.

10. Extraordinarily Dumb Outlets

Some people would love to achieve world peace, but after this trip I would sincerely wish for all people to fall, united, under only one type of outlet. It doesn't have to be the (flawless) American shocked face outlet, but goodness gracious I hope it isn't this Swedish one. Honestly, I think that it is stupid that there are different ones to begin with. They all channel electricity, so why not just get the most efficient one and everyone on board and make the change. How hard could it be to achieve worldwide agreement?