On the train journey from Berlin to Prague…
On the train journey from Berlin to Prague, two young backpacker girls entered our compartment and asked if there were any available seats. I had purchased the correct seat, while they seemed to have not reserved a seat in advance. Initially, the two girls put on blindfolds in an attempt to sleep, but the lively atmosphere created by our family prevented them from doing so undisturbed.
After some time, they gave up on sleeping and we started chatting. It turned out that they were from Sweden and had recently graduated from high school. They had decided to take a gap year, a common practice among European students. During this year, they planned to travel to several European cities for three weeks. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and intellectual abilities of European students, especially considering their young age. Engaging in conversation with them felt like speaking with individuals who were already well-versed in society. While they hadn’t finalized their future plans, they understood the importance of exploring their options.
Having experienced European education myself during my student years, I admired the European students’ ability to express their ideas eloquently. I noticed that, as Asian students, we often played the role of listeners in such interactions (though this is not an absolute rule, it was a personal observation based on my experiences and Lara’s input). Each time I encountered European or Russian classmates who could articulate their thoughts so well, I felt a deep admiration for them. Therefore, even before becoming a parent, I secretly made a decision to expose my future child to European education and encourage them to seek diverse sources of information. In the past two years, I have come across numerous reports and discussions about the highly regarded Nordic education system, which has sparked a desire among many parents to explore its benefits. However, without personal acquaintances from the region, it is challenging to gain accurate insights.
Seizing the opportunity to engage with the Swedish girls, I asked them a question that had intrigued me:
“I have heard that elementary school students in Sweden study happily without using traditional textbooks. Is that true?”
(As we often come across reports suggesting that Nordic children are exceptionally content with their education.) They responded:
“Kindergarten used to be filled with joy and playfulness, and now, in elementary school (based on their understanding, as they were already beyond that stage), they use iPads for most of their classes. However, there are still instances where paper textbooks are used, so they do exist.”
As we approached the Czech border, the landscape started to change.
After our conversation, the two girls suggested that we have a meal together. One of them, who referred to themselves as a “chef,” pulled out a bag of toast, a can of Pesto sauce, and two slices of bread to prepare a meal.
Later on, the two older sisters engaged the two younger sisters in a friendly game of Parker. The rules were entirely customized by Marcus, with the only principle being that he would not lose. It was all in good fun! The two sisters were also very accommodating and despite occasionally feeling perplexed by the game, they still enjoyed the company.
Afterwards, I took out the fruits that I had washed earlier in the morning and shared them with the two girls. To my surprise, their eyes widened when I brought out the fruits. It turned out that they hadn’t had any vegetables or fruits for several days. With a daily budget of only 30 euros (equivalent to 1080 Taiwan dollars), including accommodation expenses, it was a challenge for them to afford nutritious food. Prior to this stop, I had been in Amsterdam, where prices were quite high. After paying for my daily accommodation, I had very little money left for meals, let alone fresh produce. They mentioned that they hadn’t had any vegetables or fruits for the past two weeks. In my fruit box, I had tomatoes and cherries, which were seasonal and inexpensive at the time. However, in their eyes, those fruits became the most delicious and luxurious ingredients in the world. Seeing their satisfied expressions brought me a sense of happiness and contentment.
One of the girls, who spoke English fluently, shared during our conversation that her father was a diplomat who had recently been posted to Myanmar. She had grown up in various Asian countries and attended an IB International School. After finishing high school, she returned to Sweden and lived with her brother in Copenhagen. To supplement her income, she rented out a spare room in their home to a friend. Although her family’s background could be considered affluent, she maintained a modest daily budget of 30 euros. I found her educational attitude and achievements commendable.
During our trip, my brother and I also had a specific budget to adhere to. We often wondered why we couldn’t buy certain things or indulge in various foods. Meeting these two Swedish girls served as a fortunate encounter, providing us with a real-life example that showcased the importance of budgeting and making the most of what we have. Their experiences later became a valuable practical case study, especially for mothers during our journey.
I wish them all the best for the remainder of their trip.
Note: This travel diary entry was originally shared on my Facebook fan page on June 24, 2018. It recounts the encounter I had with two Swedish girls. Today, I came across an article shared by Professor Ye Bingcheng about a Taiwanese teacher teaching in Finland, clarifying the false news of “Finland abolishing disciplines.” It reminded me of a similar situation that was resolved the previous year, so I decided to compile the articles from that time here.
