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Paola Pancardo
Vice: Do many Mexicans move to Scandinavia?
Paola: No, it isn’t exactly the first place people apply for in exchange programs. One friend told me that Stockholm was the number one city that she least wanted to go to.
Umm, so how come you moved here?
About five years ago, I met a Swedish guy over the internet. We got married and it was easier for me to continue my education here.
Is it hard to learn Swedish?
In the beginning, yeah, because it’s so very different from Spanish. But once you get the rules, it’s easy.
What do you miss about Mexico?
The weather. And the way people are. It’s easy to make friends there. People are very open, even to strangers or to someone they’ve just met. And I miss the traditions, the way people celebrate things. Like for Independence Day, we make a very big deal out of it. Here you party, sure, but it’s not the same. In Mexico, the music makes you dance more and the partying goes on until the next day.
What’s the longest party you’ve been to?
I think it lasted until 3 PM the next day. But usually, most of them are over at about 12 PM the next day. The day after a party is kind of like an after-party. You eat a lot of hangover food—mostly spicy stuff—and continue drinking. We have this hangover drink called Clamato. You mix tomato juice, clam extract, and spices together, and then you mix some of that with beer and lemon juice.
Is there a lot of tequila at these parties?
Yeah, almost everyone has at least one bottle of tequila at home. But I think people here, and maybe in America too, have the wrong impression of tequila. In Mexico, we don’t really do tequila shots, because we like to enjoy it when we drink it. Like the way people drink a glass of fine whiskey slowly, over a long period of time. There are some really cheap tequilas for about the equivalent of a dollar, but the most expensive ones can cost like 400 pesos, which is about $38. Then you’re getting a really good tequila.
How would you describe Sweden to someone from Mexico?
I’d say that Sweden is very baby-friendly! You’d want to come here to have your baby. I mean, I live in an apartment and I can see rabbits outside the window! And the welfare system is really good.
It’s different from Mexico’s?
Oh yeah! Here, as a mother, you get a whole year’s leave, I think, while in Mexico you only get two weeks. In Mexico, there is no such thing as father’s leave.
Are we hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet?
Ha, no, not yet. I want to be able to travel, and my husband and I like to go out a lot.
INTERVIEW BY SANDRA SVENSSON
PHOTO BY MAJA FLINK
TO BE CONTINUED
A MEXICAN IN... | Antwerp | Berlin | London | Paris | Aukland | Melbourne | New York | Tokyo | Milan | Stockholm | Amsterdam | Barcelona | Toronto | Vienna |
See all articles by this contributor Anonymous, on Jan 13, 2009 wrote:
I am a Mexican living in Los Angeles and I say ! Hurray to her if she can take advantage of the system ! | | Anonymous, on Sep 15, 2008 wrote:
damn beanerz go back 2 mexico, i am a beaner meself and i dont run away from me troubles fucking bastardos ruining the nice huero’s nations | | Anonymous, on Jul 7, 2008 wrote:
nice interview... we should get her back:)
I like clemato anyway! | | Anonymous, on Jul 4, 2008 wrote:
you must be some sort of pocho living in the US that thinks you know things from Mexico but you have no idea my man. | | Anonymous, on Jul 4, 2008 wrote:
there really are stubborn people.
Yes, clemato by itself is a brand and all... (tomato juice,clam extract, pepper,salt and some other spices). It is the drink you make out of it, the one that is used for the hangover because of all the antioxidants it contains. So you mix a part of clemato with beer, some lemon extract,maggi sauce, a bit spicy sauce and so on. And I can tell you there´s nothing better than that 4 the hangover.
Im so d**mn stunned you are from Mexico and don´t know about it!!
Please people if you don´t know of what you are talking about or are not sure, then don´t be soo stubborn and pretend to know it all!!you only ridiculize yourself. | |
| fatbaby, on Jul 3, 2008 wrote:
No. Clamato is just fucking clam juice and tomato juice. There’s a registered trademark, and everything. Or whatever, I don’t know. I can do 50 push ups! | | Anonymous, on Jul 3, 2008 wrote:
heyy not every foreign student applies to Sweden to get the benefits of the welfare system!
You need to go and read a bit more of Sweden´s welfare laws regarding immigrants, as in this case exchange students.
Either you need to be a citizen of Sweden or of any of the EU countries to get some sort of benefit.
So lets say..asian students (which by the way are a fair number in swedish universities as exchange students), how can they possibly apply to a Swedish university in the hope of getting the benefits of the welfare system... c´mon people get informed before you comment on something! | | Anonymous, on Jul 3, 2008 wrote:
take it easy man... that was a short interview, she doesn´t describe the welfare state, only says it is good, and nothing comparable to the US!
Also, of course if you compare Sweden or actually almost any country to the US in terms of being homogeneous, of course, there is no level of comparison, the US is a very multicultural society.. you need to apply reasonable and logic comparisons before giving a criticism!
The welfare system not only in Sweden but also in the nordic countries regardless of its faults, it works way better than the hypocrital "system" of the US. | | Anonymous, on Jul 2, 2008 wrote:
"And the welfare system is really good. ....."
Like all countries, though, Sweden is more complex than the stereotype suggests.
Sweden was heterogeneous. Those skeptical about the applicability of Swedish policies and institutions often argue that to the extent Sweden “works,” it’s because it has an extremely homogeneous population. That was likely true half a century ago, but these days Sweden’s immigrant (foreign-born) share is virtually identical to America’s, at about 13% of the population. What effects this may have over the long run are hard to anticipate, but it’s been that way for more than a decade now.
| | Anonymous, on Jul 2, 2008 wrote:
"No, it isn’t exactly the first place people apply for in exchange programs. "
But people do come. Wonder why? Could it be the good welfare system?
"No, it isn’t exactly the first place people apply for in exchange programs. One friend told me that Stockholm was the number one city that she least wanted to go to."
hmm..... like mexico city would be the dream place to go to. You must be joking.
"The Swedes stand to learn a lot from your presence there.
Carry on and carry forth"
Give me a break. | | Anonymous, on Jul 1, 2008 wrote:
If I were Mexico, I’d put all of my resources into getting her back. | | Anonymous, on Jul 1, 2008 wrote:
No, it is actually called clamato.. michelada is ANOTHER drink. | | |
| fatbaby, on Jun 30, 2008 wrote:
That hangover drink is called a michelada, not a clamato. get it right, shitbags. | |
| adrienne zurub, on Jun 28, 2008 wrote:
Hey Paola!
Cool that U R there to represent.
It’s funny...how we do miss the things we ’may’ take for granted (openness, traditions, culture).
The Swedes stand to learn a lot from your presence there.
Carry on and carry forth.
adrienne
http:/adriennezurub.typepad.com
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