Under The Skin of Sweden is a new podcast for anyone who wants to understand Sweden beyond stereotypes, small talk, and the idea of “lagom.” The podcast was founded by Yvonne “Svea” Gossner from Learn Swedish Culture, and it’s hosted by Samir Diaz. Together, they explore Swedish culture with warmth, humor, and honest perspectives—both from the inside and through international eyes.
In Episode 1, “Swedish Education – Hell or Heaven?”, Svea and Samir dive into one of the most debated parts of Swedish culture: the school system. Svea shares how she became a Swedish culture expert and why she created this podcast—so people who can’t come to Sweden can still understand what makes the country so unique (and sometimes a little wild). Samir shares his own background—adopted from Colombia and raised in Sweden—and brings curiosity and real questions to the conversation.
They talk about:
what it really means that Swedish education is free
school lunches, milk as a cultural phenomenon, and why it matters
the Swedish school mindset: inclusion, creativity, and “bringing everyone on board”
differences compared to international schools in discipline, respect, and student influence
practical subjects like home economics, woodwork, and textiles—and how they build independence
why swimming skills are so essential in Sweden they can impact your PE grade
how newcomers can prepare for potential school culture shocks
The podcast is recorded at Filmbruket, and the music is created by Filmbruket, giving the show a polished, cinematic feel from the very beginning.
Curious why Swedish education can feel like both heaven and hell—depending on who you ask? This episode is the perfect place to start.
Email for questions: contact@learnswedishculture.com
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Learn Swedish Culture, Svea Gossner. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Learn Swedish Culture, Svea Gossner och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.