Hello again, travelers!
After having a wonderful visit in Stockholm, it was time to leave the city behind and head north to Piteå, Sweden. The northern part of Sweden is absolutely breathtaking, with serene natural beauty all around us. A highlight of our journey was a stop at the Storforsen Rapids, one of Europe’s largest unregulated rapids, located about an hour north of Piteå. We had the most astounding views of the rapids and hiked along the trails to the very top! Once up there, we took a moment to take in the incredible scenery before venturing down to a swimming hole. Many fellow classmates (and Professor Myhrs) took a swim in the cold waters right down the stream from a waterfall. We saw several people admiring the views and picnicking all around with their families. What an amazing way for Swedes and tourists to spend their Sunday in the great outdoors.
Next on the agenda was a day full of business activities. At today’s business visit in Skellefteå, we learned about the development of their going green movement within the city. They spoke on how they plan to integrate newcomers into the “green lifestyle” of the small town of Skellefteå. For the city itself, they created hundreds of new apartments and homes for potential newcomers seeking new jobs or places to live in a more rural setting. They claimed to have marketed this to potential Swedish audiences, but are moving toward marketing to American audiences. The city plans to make the lifestyle in Skellefteå relaxing, to make several companies available to sell here, and to increase the population to 90,000+ by 2030.
Later on in the discussion, they talked about the intricacies of living with the weather and the nature of a rural area, and how they plan to build more houses with sustainable energy. Moving forward, the speaker for the Arctic Center of Energy discussed going completely electric and creating an epicenter building that is built entirely with recycled materials. We find that Swedes value sustainability, living with nature, and using ethical practices throughout their day and incorporate those practices into their lifestyle. However, in order to market to American audiences, they need to consider incorporating the “American Dream” of having a house and family, the comforts of suburban life in America, and encouraging diversity in this community.
Later in the day, we toured the Sara Kulturhus (Sara Cultural Centre), which was located within the Wood Hotel in Skellefteå. This towering structure, crafted entirely from wood, stands as a testament to sustainable building practices and Scandinavian design. The exterior, with its warm, natural hues, perfectly complements the surrounding landscape, making it an architectural marvel amidst the town’s skyline. Named after the renowned Swedish author and activist Sara Lidman, this cultural house is one of the tallest timber buildings in the world. The cultural house provides families with activities, such as hosting exhibits based on children’s books. What a great place for families and community to connect in this cultural center!
While our time in Piteå was brief, we enjoyed every second of it. Next on the itinerary is Helsinki, Finland! This is our first stop outside of Sweden and we are excited to observe any cultural differences in work-life balance. See you soon, Helsinki!
