Travel to Sweden (Europe)

It seems that the world financial crisis is almost on its way out and a sure sign of this is the decrease in unemployment statistics that are recorded on a quarterly or a monthly basis. This indicator is a sign of the increase of business confidence. Businesses feel that they are stable enough to hire people predicting in a rise or gain in sales over the next period. The other way governments help to get out of a seeming recession is to create jobs through infrastructure projects. Governments can also promote their own local companies in exporting their products through other incentives such as tax breaks and promotional aid in trade fairs and shows.

Different governments have different ways in attracting people to work in their countries. To work in Sweden for example, priority is given to their citizens naturally, and to members of the European Union. But more importantly than that, you must have a work permit. To have this, you must have a standing work offer from a company based in Sweden. This company must have advertised this job vacancy in the European Union papers and in the local papers as well. Their offer must be in accordance to a collective agreement or a customary term for that type of work or occupation, based on the standards of the specific industry. 

This company must have also given the union that represents that industry time to state an opinion on the terms of employment, which generally means that they approve of this employment. If one is working for less than 3 months, then a work permit is only required but anything more than that, a residency permit is also needed. The residency permit is granted by the Migration Board who has the power to deny your permit to stay. Before the internet, you could apply for such permits at a Swedish Consulate or Embassy. These days, you can file for an application for a residency permit online. The nice thing about the residency permit is that if your employment is scheduled for more than two years, you are eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.

There are some organizations that also help you get a temporary job in the country. One of these organizations is a student run organization called AIESEC which was founded in 1948 to deal with the temporary manpower shortage of managers after the Second World War. With this organization, some fees may be discounted especially if the trainee is a fresh student graduate. Whatever the reasons may be, work in Sweden should be something interesting especially for those not based in Europe.

It is true what they say that to travel and experience different cultures is the best education one can get. Although a vicarious and anecdotal experience at times can be a good measurement of how things really are, it is in the actual experience when one can realize how things are. It is not therefore a waste of one's resources when spent on traveling to different places, getting out of one's territory and comfort zone to feel how the other half lives. It is the experiences which will help you understand a bit more about humanity and perhaps teach tolerance among other people with their way of life, their culture, and in some sense, their own perspective of things.

The recent advancements in technologies related to infrastructure and travel have made it more affordable, convenient and economical for people to travel these days, added to the economic incentives of freeing up the skies and giving more airlines access to utilize air routes. The economies of scale have resulted in literally cheap seats available at a moment's notice. The internet has helped improved the competitiveness for such seats by making such information available and through online purchases through credit cards, people have taken advantage of such instances. Airlines have banded together and formed alliances which result in heavier usage of their aircrafts, which can fly optimal loads of passengers thanks to advances in structure and material composition for aircrafts. In short, aircrafts are lighter and yet sturdier than those done 45 years ago.

One area in Northern Europe that has benefited from such is Sweden. Before 2000, travel to Sweden was restricted through ferry and boat rides. With the opening of the Oresund Bridge, one can travel non stop between mainland Europe and Sweden. This 16 kilometer or ten mile bridge links Denmark's capital, Copenhagen with Malmo, Sweden's third largest city. One can either cross through by car or just pay an average of 56 dollars or 34 euros. If you are traveling by rail from the United Kingdom to Sweden, you can use the Eurostar service through the Channel Tunnel. Take a train from London or Kent to Brussels, which connects you to the train links to Copenhagen, and from Copenhagen take the Oresund Bridge link to Malmo.

Sweden has been attracting a lot of college and post college travelers for many reasons: the newest one is the musical influence of Sweden into pop culture. From ABBA to the Cardigans to Roxette, this pop sound is now somewhat a point of attraction for people to visit Sweden. But for whatever reason you chose, visiting Sweden is a lot easier these days and it should be a country worthy of consideration for your next vacation.

Sweden, officially, the Kingdom of Sweden is situated on the southeast of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, with nine million people living in an area of 449,964 km2. However, 90% of the population mainly lives in the south and the central area. Among its nine million people, 81.9% are Swedes and 5.1% are Finns.

Sweden has bordered with a lot of countries via land and water. In terms of the land border, to its west, it is Norway, and to the northeast, it is Finland. With regards to water border, it has Denmark, Germany and Poland to the south and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia to the east. A bridge channel was also built between Sweden and Denmark.

The official language of the country is Swedish and most people speak English as their second language, however, it will be helpful to know some basic ones like ‘Say hej for hello, and tack for thank you'. It was the Swedish Empire in 17th century, but until now there is not a war in Sweden for almost two century, from which we can see that this is country which loves peace very much.

Nowadays, Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The monarchy is h King Carl XVI Gustaf while the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day business. With the stable in politics, Sweden's economy continues to grow. According to latest news, from April to June, Swedish economy grew 3.7% compared to same period last year. The World Economic Forum 2009-2010 competitiveness index ranks Sweden the 4th most competitive economy in the world.

So, what drives the economy of Sweden forward? The answer may result from its worldwide brands such as Ericsson, Volvo, ABB, H&M, IKEA and so forth.

Volvo

The automobile brand Volvo has almost become the substitute word of ‘safety' in people's mind. The luxury and secure feeling it offers to the customers has contributed it huge success. However, this car brand recently has been sold to a company in China by Ford.

IKEA

Want to add some furniture in your house? Go to IKEA. Due to its low price strategy, it has been now the world's largest furniture retailer. People sometimes will mistake IKEA as an American brand, but actually, IKEA was founded by the 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. The advertising campaign by IKEA is quite innovative and pioneer compared with its competitors. It launched the first commercial advertisement to target lesbians and tried to reach gay customers by featuring a transgender woman.

H&M

Sweden is not just a country famous for quality, it is also fashionable enough. The success of its clothes brand H&M can be seen from the fact that nearly more than 80% of people in European countries have at least one piece of H&M.

Airports

Sweden has 42 airports. The major ones are: Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport (the largest in Scandinavia.), Gothenburg International Airport, Malmö-Sturup International Airport, Stockholm-Skavsta Airport, Stockholm-Bromma Airport, Luleå Airport and Umeå Airport. Hiring a car will make the most of your journey in Sweden. Care rental companies like Avis, National, Sixt, Thrifty, Hertz Europe car, Budget and Auto Europe Car rental will take care of your needs.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and part of the Stockholm Municipality, is located on Swedens East Coast where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea. There are numerous high-tech companies headquartered here. In spite of a full four season climate that includes substantial rain, tourism has doubled since 1991. So, there must be something about its people and places to attract so many visitors. Heres a look at Stockholms luxury hotels, best restaurants, and what to see and do while visiting. The progressive city is on the rise and definitely a worthy destination for world travelers to notch on their boards.

Luxury Hotels in Stockholm

The First Hotel Reisen has been a center of refined hospitality since the 1700s. Aside from offering the best view of Old Town Stockholm from its waterfront location, there is the sauna, the swimming pool, and the sensational restaurant all set beneath 17th century vaults. The Victory Hotel is part of the Bengtsson familys hotel chain. It is named after the English naval hero Lord Nelsons flagship the HMS Victory. Adjacent to Victory Hotel is the renowned restaurant, Leijontornet (the Lion Tower), which is named after a 14th century fortification wall that is on display in the main dining room. The decor of each room has a little captain in it with a portrait of Lord Nelson. Good Lord! The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is located in the center of Stockholm.

It, too, offers incredible views of Old Town Stockholm. The hotel was noted for being the best business hotel in 2003. The gym and sauna are world class facilities. Additionally, the hotel is a civic leader for its commitment to environmental safety issues.

Best Restaurants in Stockholm

Den Gyldene Freden is an 18th century establishment of great historic and epicurean proportions. The esteemed Swedish Academy holds its meetings here for members to enjoy the restaurants well made local dishes. Lux Stockholm is annually commended in the highly valued Michelin Guide for its excellent seasonal offerings and service. Renowned architect Peter Hallen designed crystal lamps to lighten up our tables and color changing walls. Wardshuset Ulla Winbladh is an open air restaurant that serves gourmet lunches and dinners of Swedish fare. Due to the eaterys enormous popularity, making reservations in advance is strongly advised. The owners have five additional restaurants in Stockholm.

To Do in Stockholm

Checking out the Kulturhuset Cultural Centre is a good way to get better acquainted with the citys cultural offerings. There are exhibitions, theatre, dance, music, and other types of performing arts. Additionally, there is a library with a reading lounge and several restaurants in the vicinity. Skansen Open Air Museum is an open air museum that presents 150 historical buildings of Sweden. The museum was founded in 1891. There also is a zoo with wild and tame Nordic animals onsite. The Skansen hosts many annual festivities and events. Here is a place where kids of all ages remain young and foolish forever. The Tivoli Grona Lund is among the favorite amusement parks with its adrenaline pumping roller coasters. The entertainment center proudly proclaims that it has the highest free fall ride in all of Europe. It is a big on fun boutique amusement park with approximately 30 compelling attractions.

Notes on Stockholm

What has six stories and 100 separate departments under one roof? It is the Nordiska Kompaniet. Many call this the greatest shopping center in the world. Products by Hermes, Mulberry, Prada, and YSL are represented as well as an array of well known Swedish brands, such as J Lindeberg and Flippa K. The majestic food market is fit to be graced by royalty with a variety of pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants. This is a favorite destination of the locals.

Betsy (my domestic partner) and I were just talking about the difference between how things feel when you're in the "gold zone" and how they feel when you're not. Julia Cameron calls it the "Vein of Gold," and wrote a great book about it. Athletes call it "the zone." Let's call it the "Gold Zone."

She was reminding me of the months right before I got serious about internet marketing. I had been a working musician since I was 15. I went "on the road" the first time when I was 17. I was gone for three months, and it was hard on me and hard on my family when I had to come back from being "on the road" to finish high-school. I took several detours, but for the most part, I was a musician for over thirty years.

In spite of some success, I never really "made it" as a musician. I got really, really close a few times... but something would always go wrong. For example- in 2003, I played an extended tour of Europe. We went to Sweden, Holland, France, and England. I played from Bogner Regis in the far south of England all the way up to the Isle of Aaron in Northern Scotland. It was a wonderful tour, and the people seemed to like my music.

The scenery was breathtaking- from Moose in Sweden to the Holy Isle in Scotland to the coffee shops in Amsterdam to the street performers in London... Everything was wonderful except... things kept going wrong. My band-mates made the decision to stay completely amphibious for the whole tour. Blame it on Amsterdam. The big festival in Sweden got no promotion, and nobody came. That's a long way to drive to play for twenty people.

And then I got robbed at Waverley Abbey, outside of London. Lost both guitars and all the money. And my passport. I was clearly not in the "gold zone." After I finally got home- and believe me, with no money and no passport, getting home was tricky- I took some time off to think things through.  I had started researching the internet marketing game, and met some of the players. It was interesting... but there were a lot of unknowns. There were also some very steep (but relatively short) learning curves involved. So, while I was thinking, my agents booked another tour- this time to Germany.

That was the tour when all hell broke loose.  Betsy was alone with the boys, both of whom woke up one morning and decided to start acting like the teenagers they were. It was like fishing at the old pond, where the most dangerous thing you'd had to deal with was a catfish, and suddenly a fifty-foot alligator jumps in the boat. And I was over 3,000 miles away. After that tour, I really did some thinking.  I either had to move to Europe and play music, or do something else. Moving to Europe, at that time, just wasn't going to work... and, more importantly, it just didn't feel right. Betsy and the boys also had strong opinions about that.

Worse, every time I strapped on my guitar, I felt like the "rock-star police" were going to arrest me. For impersonating a musician. I never once felt authentic as a musician. This is odd- I was an award-winning songwriter, with a recording contract, zealous agents, and a publishing deal. I was a fraud. I know some "real" musicians. I have a guitar-player friend who has several gold records on his wall. He tours with a band that has had #1 singles. When he's home, he sits in his studio and plays guitar. For fun. I once heard an interview with YoYo Ma, and it really touched me. He talked about the most wonderful moments of his life. Those moments are when he takes his million dollar+ cello out of its case and sits alone, just loving the sound and touch of his instrument.

My guitars stay in their cases between tours. That was a clue. Ever since I discovered internet marketing, I've been in the "Gold Zone." It was like finally seeing the "Pull" sign on a door I had been trying to push open for decades. Duh. It was crystal-clear to me. I "got it" at the first internet marketing seminar I attended. The people who were successful were the ones who made products and sold them. The people who were not successful were the ones who did something else- or did nothing. I had a lot of help. I've immersed myself in internet marketing, read scores of books, and sought out the company of successful internet marketers. I threw myself at learning curves, and bounded right up them. I had a blast. I quickly made a pile of money. I found my "Gold Zone."

Have you found your "Gold Zone," yet? It's easy- especially in the internet marketing world. You can make a good, even a GREAT, living by solving other people's problems. It pays well, and it's karmically good for you. You can pick almost any subject- cooking, driving, relationships, ebook authoring, etc... anything but how to get rich online (please- unless you have become rich online), and build a portable empire by solving problems in that niche. I have a saying, which will eventually be turned into a book- "Every problem is a product." So, I make money and I help others. Perfect niche. How can you tell if you're in your "Gold Zone?" Things get real easy. One of the things I stress to my coaching clients is, "if this is hard for you, you're doing it wrong." If you find yourself getting bogged down and disinterested in your topic- you've picked the wrong topic. 

Quickly choose another one. If your subscribers consistently choose to not buy your products, quickly change your strategy. In the online world, you can make dramatic changes instantly. Life is too short to bang your head against the door marked "pull." You can push and push and bang and hit and throw bombs and cry and just generally exhaust yourself... and the door will stay closed. I would say that the most important thing you can do to improve your life is find your "Gold Zone." Find your passion, and then find people to pay you for doing what you love.  Quit banging on the door and just open it.