Friday, September 12 | 2025
Written by Sara Costa
The Realization
We have all been there, we feel like outsiders, we get to meet people but not the locals. The locals have their busy lives filled with cool activities, exercise, after-hour drinks with friends in pretty places, jobs all over the city. As nice as they are, they don’t easily open up to new people or at least that’s the most common impression. Even when I do understand that, I also have needs. I sometimes feel lonely and in need of varied human contact. The need to belong and being part of something is a strong one.
The Search
The Journey
The Meeting
The Experience
That need to be part of something is real and normal. When living in a place with a different lifestyle, language and climate, we seek to be close. Meet the Locals offers exactly that, an opportunity to engage through an activity to one of the Locals. They are people willing to open their lives and homes to anyone wanting to spend time with them doing something they like. Through hiking, cycling, having fika or like in my case, through the simple act of baking together, one gets to be a little more involved in their culture.
Meet the Locals allows us to experience the Swedish lifestyle from a Local perspective. A fantastic program by the West Sweden Tourist Board that is not only aimed to people who recently moved to the country but also as an immersive activity to experience in a more direct way what the Swedish culture is like for any traveller. It is a simple thing, really. There’s no need for special equipment or gear, just interest and selecting someone who offers an activity you want to share with.
