The Koegel family consists of Rachel, Charlotte, 5, Morgan, 2, and Michael. They moved from Texas to Boden and Sävast after Michael got a job at Stegra.
When Michael Koegel from Texas was offered a manager’s position at Stegra he brought his whole family with him. The family, consisting of Michael, Rachel and their two children Charlotte, 5, and Morgan, 2, brought six suitcases and on the first day of January this year they landed in Luleå. It was a dramatic start as the suitcases got stuck in Stockholm for a few days.
– We weren’t prepared for that and all our warm clothes were packed in the suitcases. The children had to walk around in their pyjamases the first two days, Rachel Koegel says.
Despite the big transition a move from Sinton in Texas to the other side of the world entails, it was an opportunity they did not want to miss.
– It's the first time we move due to his work and we both felt that it’s not often you get a chance like this. It’s unusual for people to move from our little town so we thought we’d go for it, Rachel Koegel says.
"The children have already made friends in the playground here as everyone could sing the "Bara bada bastu” song, Rachel Koegel says.
"In Texas there is no snow so it was fun to try skis for the first time here", says Rachel Koegel.
Michael, who previously worked in a similar steel plant in Texas, works as head of mechanical maintenance at Stegra. A position he is happy with.
– He’s a mechanic at heart so he likes to use all parts of his brain. That's why he loves his new job, there’s always something new happening so it suits him perfectly, Rachel Koegel says.
Even though there are some downsides to living so far away from their families, they felt that the positives balances it out.
– There were exciting, anguished and quite sad emotions when we left as we’re very close to our family and relatives and it will be more difficult to come visit. But we knew it would be best for our family, says Rachel Koegel.
"The most common words I use are fika, välkommen and hejhej. I use a language app to improve my Swedish", Rachel Koegel says.
"In Texas we had a big piece of land where the children ran barefoot all the time, something they have continued doing here but we try to teach them that they need more clothes here", says Rachel Koegel.
The family has now lived in Boden for six months and they feel like they made the right choice.
– The best thing about living here is the sense of safety, the way the children can go anywhere on their own. At home the children could not walk down the street or to a shop on their own, you always had to keep them close. It's nice that it’s not like that here but it’ll be a while before I get used to it, Rachel says.
"The biggest contrast is the nature, wherever you look it’s beautiful. There’s not so many buildings, instead it’s green and calm and you can walk everywhere", Rachel Koegel says.
In addition to safety she sees other advantages to living in Sweden, including the food.
– The food was one reason why we moved here. In America we have a lot of junk food, I can see that it affected the children's behaviour. They were screaming and fighting more in the USA. Here they talk more and are less angry.
The waste collection and recycling is something she is positive towards.
– I also like how you return cans and recycle rubbish here in Sweden, it’s cool how much energy the country can get in return from that, it’s something the USA should implement as well.
"The food here is of such better quality here than in America. I’ve already seen a difference in our children’s behaviour, they feel so much better", says Rachel Koegel.
"In the beginning I just sat here looking out the whole time because the view is so beautiful", says Rachel Koegel.
In order to show her American family and friends everything that happens in their new lives in Norrbotten Rachel started her own TikTok channel. She posts everything from testing local and Swedish delicacies such as coffee cheese and caviar, to posts about the family’s excursions in Norrbotten. Lately they have been on a moose safari, seen the church in Gammelstad and soon they will go to Storforsen.
– Now when I’ve had the account for a while I’ve realised that it’s also fun for Swedes to see someone try their things. I get a lot of comments and tips such as ”you’re eating the caviar the wrong way”. Many people from other countries also write to me and ask what it’s like to live here as they’re also thinking about moving here with their families, she says.
"I get a lot of tips on TikTok about things I should try here in Norrbotten, it’s great fun", says Rachel Koegel.
"I like reading and will soon have finished all the books I brought so a trip to the library will happen soon", says Rachel Koegel.
The account has been discovered by a lot of Norrbotten residents.
– It's fun that people are so nice and give us so many tips about local places we should visit. I haven’t experienced that in the USA, we’re nice in a different way. It’s a norm there that we say hello to each other if we meet someone when out walking, regardless of whether we know that person or not. But here that feels a bit strange. I’ve tried several times to say hello to people and ask how they’re doing but they just look at me weirdly, she says and laughs.
In Texas Rachel had her own bakery she worked in at home at the same time as she looked after the children, something she would like to continue doing in Boden. Next year their daughter Charlotte will start school and the plan is to stay in Boden for the rest of their lives.
– It's one in a million to get such an opportunity, to get the chance to move here, Michael Koegel says.
– We’re excited to see our family grow in a different environment. This is one of the best places you could ever live, says Rachel Koegel.
Charlotte, 5, tries palt for the first time. "Tastes good", she says.