An American couple living in Sweden finds that distance from the United States does not mute political chaos. Bryan McColgan says America’s political and economic repercussions reach other countries, including Sweden. He and his husband Victor moved to Stockholm in 2019 after studying abroad and sharing Swedish ancestry. Living abroad creates daily learning about language, systems, culture, and history, while also bringing discomfort that can be part of the experience. The couple stays connected with Americans in Sweden and joined the U.S. Embassy for the Stockholm Pride parade in 2023. They described the contrast between Stockholm’s dark winters and the bright “endless summer” during peak daylight.
"“While it can be easier to 'turn off' the political tumult in America, the truth is that America affects the entire world. Even in Sweden, we can't escape the political and economic repercussions of America.”"
"“Living in a different country means every day is a learning experience,” McColgan says. “After seven years, I am still learning every day, whether it's the language, how things work, or some aspect of Swedish culture or history. It can be challenging not to feel 100% comfortable all the time, but this is also the best part of living abroad.”"
"“While Stockholm is very dark and cold most of the year, the endless summer sun is a thing of beauty,” McColgan says. Stockholm enjoys about 20 hours of daylight in peak summer. The parade stepped off that year on one of those “joyful days.”"
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