The Erlander Home Museum located at 404 S. Third Street in Rockford. (Photo by Lynne Conner / for Chronicle Media)

Rockford’s Nordic Cultural Center received some long-distance love recently when a contingency of Swedish students spent two weeks working on renovations to the structure at 327 S. Third Street.

The group was part of an ongoing cultural and economic exchanges, according to Linnea Bengtsson, international business developer for the City of Lidkoping, Skaraborg County, Sweden.

“There is a plus 10-year relationship between the city of Lidkoping and the city of Rockford,” she said. “This economic development partnership was signed between the two mayors, and allows for student exchanges between Lidkoping and Rockford.

“For the Swedish Historical Society of Rockford, part of our mission is to provide our members with a connection to the homeland as so many people are of Swedish descent.  By welcoming the students here, there is physical building in the renovations and also cultural building as the students interact with the Swedish population in Rockford,” she added.

The Swedish students and their two instructors are from De La Gardiegymnasict, an upper secondary school in Lidkoping.  Bengstsson equates the Swedish upper secondary school system to post-high school vocational or junior college courses in the United States.

Swedish student Viktor Vonsson does some painting at the Nordic Cultural Center in Rockford.

In addition to renovation work at the Nordic Cultural Center, the students’ two weeks in Rockford will be spent visiting East High School, meeting members of the historical society, attending a luncheon at the Stockholm Inn, taking a day trip to Chicago, sharing in a meal at the home of a Swedish Historical Society member and visiting local museums and other tourist attractions.

Bengtsson sees these various activities as a great way for the Swedish students to experience American culture and for the Swedish Historical Society members to “connect with the homeland.”  The SwedishAmerican Foundation is providing lodging for the students at one of their facilities.

Susann Hallgren, one of the teachers who accompanied the Swedish students, says she is looking forward to having her students visit students from East High School and compare life in Sweden to life in the U.S.  “One thing that is different with houses in Rockford than in Sweden is that there are porches on American homes.  We also use more wallpaper in Sweden than what I’ve seen in the U.S,” she said.

Hallgren also noticed two big differences between Rockford and Lidkoping.

“Rockford is definitely bigger than Lidkoping, Sweden which has a population of 40,000.  I also think things cost more in Rockford than in Lidkoping,” she said.

Hallgren was surprised to learn that in comparison with other American cities, Rockford is usually considered a low cost of living community with affordable housing.  Hallgren was also impressed with Rockford’s Coronado Theatre, attractions along the Rock River and Anderson Japanese Gardens.

“I have appreciated being invited into the homes of historical society members and trying American cuisine.  The people of Rockford are also very friendly,” she said.

“Rockford is a cool city, there is a lot of culture here and the people are real friendly here compared to Sweden,” said Erik Fogelqvist, one of the Swedish students.  Fogelqvist has been to the United States before but this was his first time visiting Rockford.

Students from Lidkoping, Sweden work on window frames at the Nordic Cultural Center in Rockford.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know some of the people in Rockford and visiting Chicago while I am here.  It’s also fun to learn about construction and renovations in the U.S. because the houses are quite different than the homes in Sweden,” he said.

Fogelqvist also said that he was surprised and interested to learn about rich Rockford’s multi-cultural history.  “I didn’t know that ethnic groups like Swedes, Italians, the Irish and Germans settled in different geographic areas of the city when they first came to Rockford,” he said.

Malva Lugner, another Swedish student from Lipkoping, said this was her first time in the United States.

“I am noticing how different each home is from its neighboring home, the yards are quite different in size as well,” she said of the South Third Street neighborhood where the Nordic Cultural Center and Erlander Home Museum are located.

Swedish students and their teachers (center) enjoy a tamale break while working on the Nordic Cultural Center in Rockford.

Lugner said she hasn’t decided if she wishes to pursue a career in construction, but she is happy for the opportunities this trip has provided.  “I haven’t planned my future, yet, but I think this construction training is good to learn and fun to do,” she said.

Providing opportunities for youth and striving to better understand Swedish and American culture are the goals of this relationship between Lidkoping and Rockford.

“The partnership between Lidkoping and Rockford works with the tagline of grow locally by working globally, and I think having Swedish student here to help with renovations on the Nordic Cultural Center  is an excellent example of this motto in action.  Exchanges like this really help both communities grow,” Bengtsson said.

— Swedish students bring love to Rockford Nordic cultural center —