Yves Le Lay, Chef de Cuisine at À Terre restaurant in Copenhagen, has crafted a black winter truffle-topped galette that pays homage to his French roots and his late father. The dish, rooted in the traditional Breton galette, is elevated with cep mushrooms, Beaufort cheese, and black winter truffles, offering a modern, vegetarian twist while maintaining its classic integrity. Le Lay's creation has become a staple on his menu, celebrated for its rich umami flavors and innovative presentation.

Fredrik Johnsson, a Swedish chef, is celebrated for his unique approach to gastronomy, where each dish tells a story through its ingredients. His Japanese-inspired take on the Swedish classic svamptoast exemplifies this, using locally-sourced ingredients like eggs from hens fed on sprouted peas and lentils. The dish, a blend of ramen and mushrooms on toast, highlights the importance of time, place, and cultural significance in cooking. Johnsson emphasizes adapting flavors to one's surroundings, suggesting alternatives like seaweed or kelp to connect the dish's flavor with life.

Fredrik Johnsson, a Swedish chef, draws inspiration from nature and local producers, particularly Högtorp Farm. His dish of juniper-infused roe deer heart with beetroot, ramson capers, and marrow emulsion showcases his creative use of unique, locally-sourced ingredients. The dish emphasizes a combination of textures and flavors, aiming to create a prolonged and varied tasting experience. Fredrik's culinary philosophy centers on the importance of time, place, and the element of surprise in each bite.

Lena Engelmark Embertsén and her husband Ola Engelmark have transformed their farm, Högtorp Gård, into a successful business producing award-winning products from foraged ingredients. Their journey from a small cabin to a renovated production kitchen highlights their dedication to sustainable agriculture and ecological forestry. Lena's background in chemical engineering and her passion for nature have been pivotal in their success, with their spruce oil gaining acclaim in the culinary community. The couple's commitment to working with nature rather than against it underscores their innovative approach to farming and product development.

Spotify, one of Stockholm's leading companies, emphasizes the importance of diversity in driving innovation and is actively seeking global talent to join its workforce. The company supports international hires with relocation assistance. Similarly, Karolinska Institutet, a top medical university, values international collaboration and offers numerous programs in English, attracting a diverse student body. Both organizations highlight the benefits of living and working in Stockholm, including clean air, excellent healthcare, and a supportive environment for families.

The article provides a personal account of starting a freelance career in Stockholm, emphasizing the importance of networking, setting up a business, and managing financial records. It offers practical steps such as building a network through platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite, deciding between sole trader and limited company status, and using tools like Google spreadsheets and Bokio for record-keeping and invoicing. The author also discusses the tax obligations for freelancers in Sweden, including VAT and income tax, and suggests hiring an accountant for complex tasks.

Swedavia, Sweden's largest airport operator, has embraced innovation under the leadership of Karin Gylin, its Head of Innovation. The company has integrated innovation into its core values, encouraging all employees to contribute ideas. Swedavia aims to be carbon neutral at all its airports by 2020, with initiatives like solar panels at Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport and exploring energy efficiency in ventilation systems. Lars Haukeland, responsible for business environment outlook, collaborates with Gylin to ensure Swedavia stays abreast of global trends and invests in sustainable technologies.

Leipzig is emerging as a vibrant city reminiscent of Berlin's past, offering a blend of cultural richness, economic growth, and affordable living. The city is attracting a young, educated population and boasts a thriving art and music scene. It is a hub for tech and creative industries, with companies like Nextbike, trivago, Porsche, BMW, and Amazon investing in the area. Leipzig is also family-friendly, with numerous educational and recreational facilities, and is well-connected by public transport. The city's green spaces and outdoor activities further enhance its appeal.

Vienna, not Sweden, is celebrated as Europe's fika capital, with its coffee house culture recognized by UNESCO. The city's coffee history dates back to a failed Turkish invasion in 1683, and today, Viennese coffee houses serve as cultural hubs. Vienna offers a variety of coffee experiences, from traditional to artisanal brews, and is renowned for its decadent pastries and cakes. Austrian Airlines enhances the experience by serving Julius Meinl coffee on flights from Sweden to Vienna, promoting a seamless coffee culture experience.

Expats often feel disconnected from their native culture when living abroad. To maintain their cultural ties, they engage in activities such as reading news and literature from their home country, preparing traditional dishes, meeting with other expats, listening to podcasts, and using social media. Technology, particularly magazine reader apps like Readly, facilitates access to home country magazines and news, helping expats stay updated with current affairs, slang, and pop culture.

Elena Ramirez, a Spanish interior architect working for H&M in Stockholm, shares her insights on the city's design spots. She recommends exploring suburbs like Telefonplan for authentic Swedish design and highlights AB Café for its quintessentially Swedish decor. The article also features På andra våningen, a second-hand shop with a selection of curated items, and Konst-ig, an independent bookstore specializing in art and design. Södermalm is noted for its independent stores and cafes, and Savant Bar in Norrmalm is praised for its sustainable design. The National Museum and its restaurant, designed by leading Swedish designers, are also recommended for their design and collaborative approach.

Dr. Markus Björkström of Hälsocentralen, located at Sophiahemmet Hospital in Stockholm, discusses the benefits of private healthcare in Sweden. He emphasizes the continuity of care, with patients seeing the same doctor consistently, and the ability to get quick appointments and longer consultation times. While private healthcare has been a taboo topic in Sweden due to the high taxes funding public health services, Dr. Björkström acknowledges the pressure on public healthcare and the growing patient interest in private options. Hälsocentralen also offers preventative care services not available in the public system. Dr. Björkström, with his faith in both systems, sees value in private healthcare for those who can afford it.

Swedish design, characterized by simplicity and natural materials, is best experienced in its native environment. Southern Sweden offers artistic villages and landmarks like the Furillen limestone quarry and Sankt Petri Church. Central Sweden, including Stockholm, features design gems such as the National Museum and the home of Carl and Karin Larsson. Northern Sweden, known for its dramatic landscapes, showcases Sami crafts and unique architecture like the Treehotel. Mats Widbom of Svensk Form highlights regional nuances and recommends key design locations across Sweden.

The Local provides a guide to Uppsala, Sweden, for summer travelers with various budgets. It includes recommendations for places to eat, ranging from budget-friendly Café Årummet to luxury Peppar peppar. Accommodation options like Hotell Kungsängstorg and Villa Anna are suggested, along with activities such as visiting parks, museums, and flea markets. The article emphasizes Uppsala's rich nature, history, and culture as the city's most rewarding experiences.

André Dutra and Arina Polyakova Franzén share their experiences of living in Uppsala, Sweden, highlighting the city's charm, history, and culture. Uppsala is described as a large city with a small college town feel, offering scenic views, historic sites like Gamla Uppsala, and a rich academic profile. The article recommends various local businesses and events, including Café Linné, Arrenius and Company, Augusta Janssons Karamelfabrik, Hambergs fisk, Shotluckan, and Katalin And All That Jazz. The city's events calendar is packed, with the Valborg rafting event being a seasonal highlight. Uppsala is presented as a calmer alternative to Stockholm, ideal for those seeking to experience a touch of Swedish Cambridge.

Futuraskolan International Bergtorp in Stockholm employs innovative projects to teach empathy and global citizenship, integrating the Swedish curriculum with the International Middle Years Curriculum. Through various global citizenship projects, including student exchanges and collaborations with schools in other countries, students develop communication skills, cultural awareness, and empathy. The Erasmus + project, funded by the EU, further enhances these efforts by connecting students with peers in the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany. The approach emphasizes experiential learning, aiming to create tolerant and empathetic future global citizens.

2019 is an excellent year for living abroad due to technological advancements that ease communication and healthcare access, such as video calling, social media, and virtual doctor services. Expats report higher quality of life, increased incomes, and better work-life balance in their host countries. Switzerland and Spain are highlighted for financial and lifestyle improvements, respectively, while Norway is noted for outdoor activities. The article also mentions family benefits in Sweden and indicates that most expats are satisfied and not planning to leave their adopted countries prematurely. AXA's global health plans are promoted as beneficial for expats.

Swedes excel at celebrating Christmas, with Stockholm offering a variety of festive activities. Key highlights include traveling sustainably via Arlanda Express, exploring the charming Gamla stan by lantern light, shopping for unique Swedish Christmas decorations, ice skating on natural and manmade rinks, and indulging in a traditional Julbord. The article emphasizes the eco-friendly travel options and the rich cultural experiences available in Stockholm during the holiday season.

Futuraskolan International School of Stockholm is the only school in the northern hemisphere accredited to run the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), which is designed to cater to the unique needs of the teenage brain. The curriculum is praised for its flexibility, creativity, and ability to make learning an adventure. Teachers and students alike appreciate the hands-on, thematic approach that connects different subjects and brings learning to life through activities like field trips. The school's success with the IMYC is highlighted by its accreditation, which serves as a quality assurance.

Sophie Miskiw shares her personal struggle with health anxiety, which began in childhood and escalated with the advent of the internet, particularly Google and WebMD, which fueled her self-diagnoses. Despite physical health, she experienced debilitating anxiety, leading to social isolation and academic challenges. A breakdown at her mother's house led to a doctor's visit, where her anxiety was acknowledged as a mental health issue. She was advised to practice meditation and was prescribed an SSRI. Dr. David Veale of the Maudsley Hospital notes that health anxiety can be exacerbated by early exposure to medical issues and is more common in women. Sophie's recovery involved counseling, medication, and support from her boyfriend. She now manages her anxiety and has completed her master's degree, working as a freelance writer.

Sophie Miskiw shares her experience with health anxiety, which began in childhood and escalated with the advent of Google, leading to self-diagnosis and isolation. Despite her mother's nonchalant attitude towards illness, Sophie's anxiety persisted, affecting her education and social life. A breakdown in Brighton prompted a visit to a doctor who recognized her anxiety as a mental issue, not physical. With counseling, medication, and the support of her boyfriend, Sophie learned to manage her anxiety, viewing it as an 'unwelcome back-seat passenger' that she has learned to silence.