DI Families: Meet the Tholins

This week, we were invited to sit down with the Tholins, a lovely family that has just moved to Daniel Island from Gothenburg, Sweden. Meet Johan, Manager of Inbound Logistics for Volvo Cars (in Ridgeville), Karin, a busy stay-at-home mom (and former director of a gymnastics club back home in Sweden) and their two daughters: Moa, a third-grader and Elin, in Kindergarten, both at The Daniel Island School.

Can you tell us where you’re from originally and how you ended up in the Charleston area?

Johan Tholin (JT): Karin and I are both from Sweden, but we actually met fifteen years ago in Greensboro, NC, where we were both working for Volvo Trucks. When our contracts expired a few months later, we returned to Sweden. We got married in 2007, lived in Gothenburg, a city on the west coast of Sweden, where we raised our two girls. I have now changed to Volvo Cars, while Karin managed a gymnastics club.

Last year, when a position became available in the states, at Volvo Cars in Ridgeville, SC (outside Summerville), I applied and I was lucky to get the job. Karin and I both thought that it would be a good opportunity, not only for my career, but for the family as well.

It’s exciting to have this opportunity with family this time. Last time I came to the states I was by myself. Now our family can bond and do things together, especially now that the girls are old enough to do things that we like to do, like biking, going for walks, wall-climbing, tennis and golf, sports that they are learning. We love being outside as much as possible. In Sweden, where we have long cold dark winters, we love the sun. Especially during the warmer summer months, when the temperature averages about 75 degrees.

Here, in Charleston, the summer is much too hot to be outside. But we are looking forward to the cooler weather here in the coming months.

Why did you choose to live on Daniel Island?

Karin Tholin (KT): It was important to us to be close to a good school, one that we could easily walk to. We also like being close to the pool areas and other outdoor activities.

JT: I love the structure of the island, with all the bike paths. We like that we can walk and bike places like we can in Sweden. In much of America, you can’t do this. We looked at some places in Mt. Pleasant, but there was too much traffic there. When the girls saw Daniel Island, with the playgrounds, all the kids, and the school, they said “We like this!” So did Karin and I!

There are several families that moved to this area from Sweden to work for Volvo Cars. They live in Mt. Pleasant or downtown, and send their children to other schools. We do get together with these other families from time to time but we are the only family that chose to live on Daniel Island and send our children to public school. We think Daniel Island School is a very good school - and will be the right experience for our girls.

What are some of the biggest differences between life here and in Sweden? Any surprises?

JT: Since we’ve both worked at a global, multi-cultural company, we’re used to working with people with different cultures, different languages, different ways of doing things. We have also lived abroad previously in US and also for some time in Australia so no real big surprises to us.

Nothing really is surprising to us.

KT: However, I do notice that Americans don’t salt their food as much we do in Sweden, especially the seafood! And the portions here are enormous! We recently ordered a pizza from Orlando’s and we were surprised how big it was!

JT: We tell the girls that even if we miss things at home, like family, friends, our school, we focus on the good things we have here. Even when things are different, it does not mean that they are bad. The girls don’t speak much English yet, so they feel a bit on the sidelines still. But in the two months we’ve been here, things are getting better. Moving here is a great opportunity for the kids. It broadens their perspective.

KT: One positive difference is the schools. Here, we find that there is a lot more focus on behavior. Here, if your child is doing a good job, you know about it! The communication from Daniel Island School is wonderful. There are communication folders, a website and even special apps to get information about what’s going on in the school. In Sweden, we have none of this. There schools put much more focus on the lessons and, silence, on the part of the teacher, is a good sign that your children are behaving well.

JT: Another difference we like is that people here on Daniel Island, and Charleston, in general, are very friendly, welcoming and polite. Even at the stores and restaurants, the people who work there are friendly and service-oriented. It’s not like this in Sweden, where people tend to be more reserved.

Do you prefer to cook at home - or eat out?

KT: We prefer to cook at home as often as possible, but finding the fresh products I want is sometimes difficult. I have to go to many different stores. We tend to eat traditional Swedish dishes, which often center around a lot of fish!

JT: And we do like pasta!

What’s a typical dish that you make at home?

KT: Baked salmon, boiled potatoes, roasted vegetables and ice cream for dessert. And maybe cake or cookies. The girls like to bake, especially Elin. She is a little disappointed that she cannot taste the batter before it is cooked here in America. We don’t have salmonella problem with eggs in Sweden.

Also, we like to eat a lot of fresh fruit as we did in Sweden, especially in the summer when more of it is available. I always try to pack fresh fruit for the girls for their snack at school. That’s what they’re used to, since the schools in Sweden only permit fruit for snacking. Now my children see their friends with chips and crackers and they are wanting the same thing. I would prefer to see them choose healthy foods.

Do you have any special traditions that you celebrate?

KT: One of our favorite Swedish traditions is called Mid-Summer, a Friday in the end of June, when the sun is at its highest point, setting around 11 pm, everyone comes together to celebrate and dance around a decorated pole. It may sound a bit silly but it is fun. We enjoy herring, a big barbecue, and finish with fresh strawberries that are only available in the summer.

Will you celebrate Mid-Summer here on Daniel Island next summer?

KT: I don’t know. We’ll see.

JT: Also skiing every winter is sort of a tradition for us. That may be more of a challenge here.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

KT: Catch the day as it is! Don’t be afraid of it. Seize opportunities. While this advice is not always easy to do every time, we’ve found it’s much easier to do here where everyone is so friendly and helpful.

What do you enjoy doing here on Daniel Island?

Moa Tholin (MT:) Gymnastics!

Elin Tholin: The (Pierce Park) pool!

What words or phrases would you use to describe your life on Daniel Island?

KT: Easy and accessible

MT: Hot

ET: New friends

JT: Relaxed. Available. A small-town feel. We feel very fortunate to live here.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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