Many friends online in the virtual nature suggested to me to write about life About all my wander in overseas in order to informative and life experiences can be shared lesson to others. I just blindly answer that I can not write well, that is not deft writing like the author remained in the media. As another justification, I might add more if writing is difficult, it seems likes as lazy to read, but it really easy to talk. Not only that, I think that about writing routine is certainly adept at writing and they are journalists.
Honestly, I am a litlle bit lazy to write it because I had never wrote anymore. Besides that, at the same time I must concentration being integrated into Swedish community. Those values are due to the influence of multi-lingual control dilemma, different language is certainly different cultures, the effect of lazy writing and its influence rather talk he…he…he…
However, with consideration when writing it will be able to save the memories and that is why I try to write such a book at least monthly light only. I avoid writing as a scientific word or use a phrase that usually serial writing in academic journals. Likable of life in Sweden as love, sorrow, funny, disappointed, exciting events, and unforgettable upset throughout life is definitely there. Hopefully it can be advantage for readers who may be committed also to live migrated to Scandinavia at the northern end of this world. Hopefully not monotone only and not be bored to read it. (Please advice constructively)
*****
Up Close With The Swedish
ACTUALLY, live far away wander from homeland that there are plus minus feeling. For example, among many people often assumes that life in Europe is full of negative freedom, but actually it all depends on each person when screening new things encountered in his daily life. Especially on the character and orientation of Swedish people, according to a survey conducted by the World Values Survey and then written by the newspaper in Stockholm DN (Dagens Nyheter) assumed that the Swedish is one of the most modern nation in the world. Unlike most other nations, Swedish people argue that their children do not automatically have to comply by saying his parents, then that is different from other nations that Swedish should not banned for hitting her child, if it done well by their own parents to the child is entitled to report to the police and allowed to stay outside of family to get a living allowance from the state.
The children who becomes an adults usually have the freedom to express their own opinions, therefore had ever happened and no wonder anymore if children and their parents are often different religions. Then, although not very religious, sometimes many of them are atheist, but the meaning's value of religion teaching derived to cultivate early. It’s still according to the survey, the Swedish are very high tolerance towards foreigners and people appreciate that similar pairs such as a guy and lesbian family. According to my personal experience when interacting every day with Swedish, I rated that the Swedish peoples were often being cold, rarely speaking, rigid, but the truth behind all the attitude that they are kind, caring among fellow human beings, independent, creative and the most prominent of them are disciplined attitude on time is very high. Positive values of the Swedish people is what can be applied to everyday life to Achehnese.
According to the book “Sverige en pocket guide; fakta, tips och råd till nya invånare” issued by the institutions of integration department, it describes briefly about the history, the life backgrounds, general information, the hierarchy of the state and citizens of Swedish culture. This book was given to almost every new immigrant families for free in Sweden like me with a goal in order to adapt to new circumstances encountered. The small books which contained 250 pages is very well used as a guide to every new immigrant as printed in the Swedish language version of "Lättläst" (Easy to read).
In the following book were illustrated that although the Sweden as a monarchy, but their state is headed by a prime minister. Sweden's largest majority party is the Democratic Socialist party therefore tends to type like a socialist economy. But this year holding the reins of power is a combination of 4 parties (People's Party, Moderates, Christian Democrats and Centre Party). However, the economy socialist state system is still applied because it has been proved that the socialist economy one solution to economic stability in Sweden. Some parties would assess like these but for the elements of other social institutions as an example of immigrants is very difficult integrated within host citizens, if such visits are the gaps between natives and migrants as part of the experience, the majority of immigrant life just barely even a majority of the unemployed, the office employment sectors very difficult for them, if any, can be calculated by a finger.
It was common secret knowledge in Sweden that in a competition to choose the employee would normally arise racist attitudes by companies who need workers. Maybe all of that were caused by the result, which I know little one factor is the majority of immigrants came from areas of conflict / war that it could be worried about recruiting as it requires extra selection, the majority of perpetrators of crime comes from immigrants.
However, Sweden still continue to accept immigrants who as refugee quota specified amount each year. Policy receives the recipient as an asylum migrants which I know that were caused of humanitarian reasons and Sweden one of the countries that have signed the UN charter on the law refugee helping system in the political and humanitarian. After a few years back, now Sweden has received one of the humanitarian assistance which they are receiving immigrants. In the field of sports, public addicts for football fewer certainly know someone who named "Zlatan Ibrahimovic", the main striker soccer club Inter Milan, Italy. From the name himself can be seen that Zlatan is not native Swedish but he was the immigrant from the former Yugoslavia whose parents immigrated to Sweden. Now, Zlatan has popularized the Sweden country in the field of sports. Actually, there's more other examples where a positive outcome when it receives many Swedish immigrants in these country. There is one thing that can make people proud of Sweden that if we could speak Swedish fluently, at least almost the same dialect with native speakers of the coommonly Swedish. It's fair because they enjoy their language we have learned and their accent close to be perfect. It is also seems like in Acheh, we feel proud if a Chinese in Pidie who can speak Achehnese exactly as Acheh Pidie thick accent but his non Acehnese.
In every daily life, people always call the name of the Swedish early one though far different age. In Sweden did not recognize social title level such as the "sir" in English. Sometimes it sounds rude but is not really bad. For example to call a teacher simply by first surname only, it is different from the life of the English speaking country, they were summoned to the older usually with the title "sir" but in Sweden just by first surname only. Although Sweden as a developed country relatively, I have ever met a beggar on the street but not a defect but the beggar is a guitar or harmonica player in the crowd by placing a theater in front of crowding peoples. Actually, they have been enough granted social allowances to eat but who beg are usually people who are addicted to narcotics or alcohol that makes monthly living allowance is not enough for themselves.
In Sweden can also buy second-hand goods by Internet, almost same quality, with the goods in the shops, this purchasing alternative way for immigrants living allowance. Also, every day lot of advertisements are delivered free home consumption because of considerations of paper is really cheap and can be recycled, so it can be surprised if there are free newspapers which rely solely from advertising revenue. (Asnawi Ali)
KONTRAS Tabloid 45, Edition: October 4 -10 2007
Sweden Portraits From Many Side Places
It’s never been felt that I lived globetrot wander from homeland for six years already. And since I went to abroad, many new experiences that I gained in any period rapidly. Long time ago, I went to abroad for two years in Malaysia, two years in Norway, and now is two years in Sweden. Over the past 6 years was only able to visit family once after the tsunami hit Acheh (1 to 30 April 2005). After the tsunami, I was orphaned and destitute, and also live in exile with receiving asylum status.
Ups and downs of my life when I were arrived at the longing for home, especially Ramadan and Idul Fitri day. That day was the momentum and actually as a good time to meet with relatives who have long abandoned. However, fate decides otherwise. Idul Fitri day in this year I was absent for going home, so I could not stay in touch with families in Pidie. Therefore, I would like to describe an article post hopefully with this article post could cure my longing for family in Aceh, tens of thousands of mile far away from here.
Sweden, with its own personality, a country which in its original language called Sverige. When people mention the name reminds us of a country located in the region east of the Scandinavian peninsula, with the restriction that has cool place in north pole and the most famous society upholds human rights and democracy. This country is almost 150 years has managed to keep his democracy state system shaped modern constitutional monarchy. In addition, Sweden is one of the originator of the annual celebrations to the people who were instrumental in the business world peace. Awards are a celebration of the Nobel Prize, that Nobel were belongs actually comes from the name of a Swedish industrialist, named Alfred Nobel. During his life, Nobel was a chemist, engineer, businessman, inventor of dynamite, but before his death he bequeath almost all their wealth is dedicated to giving gifts to people who have made humanitarian efforts in the field of physics, chemistry, literature, physiology, medicine , and of course in the field of peace. Especially for this peace award is given to the person who most diligently carry out in international relations, the founder of the peace movement or a person who actively campaigned to reduce the wars in the world.
Welfare State
Most of the immigrants in Sweden are working in the industrial sector, public sector, work is not fixed or half the time, some longer attend school on regular education and there is also the status of unemployment. Because of Sweden as a country in which adherents of the socialist economy on welfare state system, then on each of its citizens and also immigrants who have a residence permit which includes receiving asylum and will get social security every month in free. Sometimes these welfare state systems often lead to stigma "spoiled" because it is only intended to give assistance to poor unemployed people for free, so people can think that no work was getting free money from the government.
For example, an adult asylum recipients receives for 90 kronor or Rupiah 120 thousand in free per day. It's big enough for the size of the Indonesian rupiah, but not to the size of Swedish kronor currency. Therefore, many immigrant asylum seekers who came in droves from many countries consider that the countries in the Scandinavian region (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) as a "paradise" of asylum seekers in Europe. This is not excessive because it was true, even in Norway where the writer has lived for 2 years before, the recipients of adult asylum per person to get social security benefits 140 Norwegian Kroner per day, plus a free house rent, water fees, and electricity. (Norway is not included in the European Union)
Although Sweden and Denmark are included in the European Union member, but not in the economic field, so they still use their own respective currencies. For information, Sweden became a member of the European Union since January 1, 1995, but Denmark since 1973. Welfare state system is very closely related to social policy in the country which includes the strategy and government efforts in improving the welfare of its citizens, especially through social protection. Welfare in the Scandinavian countries often referred to as an ideal model to provide comprehensive social services to all residents. However, on the other hand, many peoples do not know how a system implemented by a government.
Factor of economic stability is the main foundation and the willingness of people to pay taxes that can be said "almost absurd." For example, every month the salaries of workers in the Scandinavian countries cut approximately 33% of the received, so that the net salary earned each month "only" about 67%. This is actually happening in the Scandinavian countries, because the country who has a socialism system. Therefore, in addition to eliminate social benefits to the poor, in a country which adopts socialist also eliminate school, medical / hospitalization, benefits for the unemployed, and aid / pocket money by the state each month to children up to age 18 years old.
Withholding tax of 33% applies to anyone, without exception. The bigger the person the greater the salary tax to be paid to the state, and then tax revenue is returned again through welfare benefits to its people.
Sometimes, I heard my Swedish friend that "complaint" about their salary that had counted for the tax cut for 33%. However, what can I do, all that time has plus minus benefits. Malays say, "Where the earth stand on, that's where the sky upheld." What about the residents of Acheh who have decades of living in Sweden before, was they back home or still living in exile country on the edge of the polar world? Yes, some of them had came back home already to rebuild Acheh, but some still live here anymore. There are a number of obstacles to go home, for example, still as a recipient of asylum status, and have not been as Swedish permanent residence yet.
Other causes, after tsunami many became orphans, so if returned to Acheh, no more cost of living, not to gain status as a citizen of Scandinavian plus its passport, because this as a condition for entry into Indonesia through the flight of the aircraft, and there is still much skeptical of the peace process in Acheh so traumatized by the experience the previous conflict. I ever asked the people of Acheh who have several years of living in Sweden, are willing to go home or want to stay here until the end of life? Previously I also had them with a satirical expression of Malay, "golden rain in other country, it's better stone rain own country." The answer actually came a new expression and probably true was "In Acheh was not stone raining longer anymore but was full of bullet raining" said some residents of Acheh with a fun.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) generally recommended Sweden to the asylum seekers, especially political asylum who have difficulty living in his country and also provide a quota every year and Sweden received asylum seekers through the door of the UNHCR recommendation or request asylum by coming directly to Sweden. This last way must be living in temporary shelter camps a few years while awaiting a final decision test as refugee status. It is add up for many years that Sweden gave the door wide for the settlers in parts of the world inhabit the land. If we go to downtown such as markets, bus station in Stockholm, do not be surprised if many of the Swedish will find the immigrants who faced the Arab, African or Asian. I guarantee it! Even near the house of Tgk Hasan Tiro, in the area of Alby, a suburb of the Norsborg, Stockholm, very few flats are inhabited by native Swedish residents, because it is dominated by immigrants.
The area on Alby market selling vegetables, grocery stores, restaurants, super market, 90% were sold out by immigrants. On the one hand, Sweden is sometimes too "good heart" against immigrants, but also racist behavior is often experienced by immigrants, especially in terms of finding work. All new immigrants arrived in Sweden from across the country would have a strange situation experience. Therefore inevitably have to adapt to local circumstances. The first thing of course is about language. All entrants must learn the Swedish language for free at the course which had provided. Almost all schools from kindergarten through high school if the school does not need to wear a uniform, and also never pay for the school tuition fees.
Free food is always given every hour 12:00 noon at the school. For ordinary Asians who drive to the left side, if the arrival in Sweden have to get used to driving a car on the right side. One note that I never forget is, to get a driver's license driving license - output Sweden (International Standard) is an achievement to be proud, as Swedish residents is really hard to get it and how much more difficult for Asian immigrants. This course is not free, even otherwise very expensive because it is commercial system, then the theory and practice are very hard, tight, long-winded, and takes a very long time. The another price which very expensive is a housing rent. Rent is not per year but per month. Fortunately, every house is cold and hot tap water is used for when the summer and winter. Hot water is included in the load meter, but the cold water for free. Hose water no longer need to be cooked, because it can be drunk straight as much as possible until puffed and satiesfied. For women who like making a fruity salad, unfortunately there is no guava fruit. Instead of guava fruit in Sweden is apples. The fruit is no longer the expensive things, because every summer thrives in front of the house as well as the growing proliferation of guava fruit in Acheh. Some of the needs of the cost of living in Sweden is very expensive, but there is also provided free of charge, for example, be given a free newspaper. There are three newspapers with 20 pages just looks like a tabloid, is placed in crowded public places in order to people get it in vain easily. Usually placed on the market, bus terminals, train, and airfield. Free newspaper possible, because the benefits of advertising revenue that a lot every day. In addition to free newspapers, there is also a free internet facilities that can be used by anyone. It is available at public libraries, Department of Labour office. The majority of Swedish citizens when seeking employment usually see job advertisements in newspapers and the Department of Labour office, then send your CV (Curriculum Vitae) by using the e-mail to the office looking for workers.
The problem often faced by the prominent citizens of Sweden are usually health problems, especially obesity (overweight). The disease is often seized in countries that are prosperous, because people love to eat very much. Obesity is common in women around age 35's. Not surprisingly, now in Sweden appears on slimming club / weight loss. Best-selling drug in Sweden today is slimming diet drug loss! Obesity did not affect either the quality of life related to frequency of food intake and lack of movement. This is possible thing because when the snow season, for 3-4 months many Swedish citizens who always lack of the sport excercise. After working more often lived in the house. Even if they go out of the house only for emergency planning.
Strange and Unique About Swedish Natural Life
THERE is unique, which I had never experienced before that is a natural phenomenon that where time of day longer than night. And this happens in the summer. Conversely, in winter night time longer than the time of day. In summer the green foliage of trees grew, the clothes began to fall because overheating. If the fasting in the summer, in addition to hunger and thirst also withstand the most severe eyes because many Swedish citizens in front of their homes to enjoy soaking up the sun. Routines performed sunbathing is because their skin had never felt the warmth of the sun when winter snow, spring, fall, and only felt in the summer every year. And also most willing to redden the skin to sunlight.
If we as Asian peoples who enjoy soaking up the sun and make our skin not become reddish, but become blackish-brown, so that most even avoid bask in the sun. When rarely exposed to sun and often only stay at home, slightly depressed as psychologically, because previously often exposed to sun and then receive the opposite situation. For those who are sensitive and difficult to making adapt moody, sad, despair, and passion for life is reduced, just as experienced by a person in jail is nowhere found only a "darkness". But otherwise, just for instance the two sides of different coins each other, "After dark the light was published." When summer comes, in fact almost no darkness at all, so that why life does not always darkness forever. It was work and sleep remains the same as usual, working for 8 hours, non-work activity for 8 hours, and sleep for 8 hours, even sleep at night when the sun was shining brightly. In summer, daylight getting longer, and peak at 22 June each year where the sun was directly behind the line of the north pole and the citizens of Sweden always celebrate it as the feast of "Mid Sommar" (Mid summer).
Day on those dates are day by day and the longest in a year. And according to his nickname, the day residents in parts of northern Sweden to enjoy the afternoon nearly 24 hours. The sun never sets, Oh..My God! Conversely, when the snow season, there was virtually no sunlight. This happened right at the peak snow season, on 22 December each year would always called "Den Längsta Nattena" (Longest Night). On that day all over Sweden at all will not see the sun. Once again, 24 hours without the sun and the dark hold, the longest night in the history of the world. However, everywhere were shined by lamps.
Although illuminated by a lamp, but it seems like life is not normal, because everywhere covered with white snow scene and approached the freezing cold of zero and so that the bone pierced. If this happens the river will freeze rock hard and we live like in a giant refrigerator because the heavens and the earth covered by snow. Oh..My God !
When I was a child in the village had never imagined that I would be living in countries which have a "weird" weather like this. All that becomes nostalgia that I have never forgotten. Nevertheless, I still hope all the memories that I can meet again in the future. To Kontras tabloid readers in Acheh and abroad, I congratulate and welcome the day of the fasting month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri great day! (Asnawi Ali)
Kontras Tabloid 40, Edition September 13 - 19, 2007
