culture

Being multicultural: barriers and challenges

Being multicultural: barriers and challenges

Being multicultural: barriers and challenges In this article, I would like to talk about linguistic and cultural barriers. As you might know, living in a country where you have little or no-knowledge of the local language can be a real challenge. And that it’s definitely my case, as my expertise in Ukrainian language is not enough to understand informal conversations and discussions about complex topics. This very often results for me in feeling excluded from the external environment. Your perceptions of reality change a lot, as you don’t understand things as they really…Read more
LAGOM, not just Hygge

LAGOM, not just Hygge

Lagom, is this untranslatable Swedish word the new Scandinavian trend? In a similar way as hygge, it is a word that describes an important part of the “Scandinavian way of life”.  The Danish hygge, the feeling of well-being that derives from coziness and little pleasures in life, became one of the most popular words last year. So, what does Lagom mean? It can be described as “not too little, not too much, just right”. And it can be used to describe everything: from coffee to apartments, from food to clothes. Some say the…Read more
6 Museums I Love In Stockholm. And 2 I don’t

6 Museums I Love In Stockholm. And 2 I don’t

Since I lived in this city for some 9 months now, I visited many museums and places in Stockholm and its surroundings. It’s worth noticing that many of them are free, or have free entrance days. Enjoy my list! Moderna museet. Some people turn their noses up when it comes to modern art. Well, they could use a visit to Moderna Museet. Its collection includes many different artists and styles, from impressionism and expressionism (19th-20th centuries) to the latest avant-gardes and conceptual art. My three favourite rooms are the one dedicated to Russian…Read more
My trip to UPPSALA – Vikings vs. Reality

My trip to UPPSALA – Vikings vs. Reality

I used to be a big fan of the tv series Vikings (History channel). With time, my appreciation of the show changed very much: I loved the first two seasons, didn’t particularly like the third and literally hated the fourth. Then I stopped watching it. But the fascination with Viking history and culture is still alive in me. So I would like to tell you about a day I spent in Uppsala last month. How are these two things related? In the series -as in real history- Uppsala is depicted as an important religious,…Read more
Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

It has been more than three months that I live in Krasnoyarsk and, in the past time, I have been twice in St. Petersburg and once in Moscow. Take what follows as a personal observation, due to a variety of trips and daily life spent in the greatest Country in the world. The first question they asked me when arrived in Krasnoyarsk: have you felt any kind of cultural shock? My answer, in general, is no. Maybe because I already lived in Russia, I know the traditions, and I know exactly what to…Read more
Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Let’s get straight to the point: everyone can tell the obviously visible differences between Italy and Sweden. I mean, you don't need my blog to learn how bitter is snus - a deadly combination between a nicotine patch and a tea bag (seriously, how can you become addicted to this?!). But knowing the little similarities …that’s a whole another story. Strangely enough we may have shared a couple of Viking kings when the Normans invaded Southern Italy (but who didn't at that time?) and we have more things in common then you may…Read more