Visit to the nature area and nature reserve, called “Hammarskog” outside Uppsala, was one part of the intercultural workshops which included classroom activities and visits to political and cultural important places in the local area.
For the intercultural workshop in Sweden, we followed the schedule of three days classroom activities which included classes of communication, intercultural communication and diversity, political trust, democracy and rights. In Sweden we put emphasis on the human rights. The visits, implemented during two days, were conducted to important places in the local area (in Uppsala).
Some of the visits to Hammarskog nature area were carried out in cooperation with a family center in the segregated area of Gottsunda, outside of Uppsala. The family center are working with many immigrants since they have activities and open pre-school also in combination with Swedish courses. The participants in one of the workshops were therefore from this family center and followed the schedule of visits.
At Hammarskog, we organised something very Swedish, namely to grill “hotdogs with bred” outside and we also had coffee for the participants.
Aim of the best practice:
The aim of the best practice was to introduce and to deepen the knowledge of the local area and society for TCN:S living in Uppsala.
Objectives of the best practice:
The objectives were to give opportunity to immigrants to see and experience this nature area, which is very popular among the inhabitants of Uppsala county. In the area you can take a stroll, watch birds, go skiing in the winter, take part of classes, swim etc. The area is outside of town so the majority take the car to go there. However, there is possibility to take the bus but not everybody knows this. The idea was to show the immigrants the opportunity to go to this place alone or with their family and so the next time they can go by themselves, with or without car.
Besides to give theoretical knowledge to TCN:s regarding the areas of intercultural communication, political trust, human rights and civil society, they also got opportunity to visit places to create an active and hands-on experience of different important places in the society which relates to the areas of knowledge introduced in the workshop.
Main actors were TCN:s themselves but also trainers and staff from a family center in Gottsunda (Uppsala municipality) and Folkuniversitetet.
Min: 5
Max: 40
Between 2 hours and a full day
Depending on the situation, number of participants and weather of course, the duration could be everything between 2 hours and a full day. Ultimately around 4-5 hours totally.
For this visit buses were rented. However, to do similar activity in another place, it takes infrastructure to go to the place, which preferably is some kind of public transport. However, if you go with a large group of people like in our case, a rented bus is very comfortable and practical.
The strength was that it was a very nice trip to do for the immigrants, to get out, practice Swedish etc. Furthermore, the TCN:s got to experience something very important in Sweden, to spend time in nature and to understand that these areas are for everyone. To go to the nature like this is also good for relaxation and the health for the whole family.
This visit required rental of buses which of course is not always a possibility. Some of the participants also thought the language was a little bit difficult during a guided tour.
Divide participants into groups with similar language level if there is a guided tour.
Prepare for food and coffee etc. in one way or another.