Living Across Cultures
Your guide to moving and understanding cultures between Sweden and Zimbabwe.
About Living Across Cultures
Welcome to Living Across Cultures: A Guide to Sweden and Zimbabwe.
Moving from Zimbabwe to Sweden was more than just changing countries for me— it was stepping into a marriage of two very different worlds of culture and values. This blog grew out of that journey.
Throughout the last 12 years of that journey, I’ve found myself in positions of answering questions and offering advice about life across cultures — especially the Swedish and Zimbabwean experience. Advice on issues ranging from applying for permits, finding housing, and navigating healthcare, to understanding traditions, climate, and everyday social etiquette, I’ve shared, with friends , colleagues and other interested groups, what it really means to live between these two cultures.
This blog is the result of those conversations. It is designed to be a practical, up-to-date resource for anyone planning to move to, visit, or do business in Sweden or Zimbabwe. Think of it as both a compass and a companion: guiding you through cultural differences, human relationships, and the practical details of daily life.
Through personal stories, reflections, and hands-on advice, I share the lessons I wish I had known when I first crossed between these worlds. My hope is that this space becomes not just a reference, but also an inspiration — helping you make your transition, whether short-term or long-term, not only smoother but also more meaningful. To avoid duplication of information and duplication or resources, will gladly point you in the right direction to other websites and platforms where you can get further guidance on many of the issues handled here.
It is good to know that...
This website is not a platform for comparing or criticising these cultures and related behaviours, but rather a platform for celebrating what makes each of these cultures unique and how an interested person can learn to understand the other much better. I can warn you that while the discussions about culture on this site may tend to be generalised, I do recognise that there are some traits that distinguish individuals even as members of the same culture and there are also differences that exist within each culture and nationality that might not fit into the models described here.
This does not mean that what you find on this site is unusable, far from it. It is , at least, a first step in building cultural understanding, especially since culture is more visible in the collective, the group; the shared behaviours that the average members of the group have, rather than the behaviour of an autonomous individual.
Moving to Sweden with confidence!
Although this blog is written by a Zimbabwean who has successfully moved, settled, and integrated into Swedish life, the advice shared here is valuable for anyone planning to visit or settle in Sweden. You’ll find practical guidance on essentials such as housing, healthcare, education, and navigating government services — the kind of information most people wish they had before or during the early stages of their stay in Sweden.
Zimbabwe Made Simple: Everyday Essentials
Your go-to resources section for practical guides to help you navigate key Zimbabwean institutions. From healthcare to housing, permits and public services in Zimbabwe. You’ll find the practical information you need to settle in Zimbabwe, work, or do business in Zimbabwe with confidence.
Personal Journey & Reflections
Stories bring culture to life. Beyond practical guides, culture is best understood through lived experience. Here you’ll find personal stories and reflections that offer a window into the joys, challenges, surprises, and lessons of moving between Zimbabwe and Sweden.
Join This Cultural Journey
Explore Sweden and Zimbabwe Together!
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