Non-Americans shocked at a Swedish student's video showing pupils wearing pajamas in U.S. schools

Even though technology and social media have made the world a smaller place, things such as campus culture, fashion, and lifestyle trends still remain unique in different parts of the world. For instance, students prefer dressing up in their best outfits for school in one country, while Gen Alpha elsewhere may have a more laid-back approach. This is why Swedish student Selma (@selma.doganson) had a culture shock when moved to the US and noticed most students walking around the campus in pajamas.

She captured a glimpse of students wearing printed, graphic, cute, and colorful pajamas in a video that she posted on TikTok. The young woman from Sweden revealed how a bunch of students were roaming around in loose pants, night shoes, slippers and so on. While it is normal for US students to put on comfortable casual wear such as hoodies, flannels, pajamas, and so on, Selma was taken aback at first. Sharing her side of things, Selma recalled how she heard about pajamas being in style, but didn’t expect it to be popular comfort wear for so many students, as per Bored Panda. “I noticed people wearing pajamas for the first time, maybe a week into school. Before I got here, I heard that a lot of people wore pajamas, but I didn’t think it was that many. If you wore pajamas to school in Sweden, I think many people would look down on you and comment on how tired you look,” she explained.

She went on to mention that wearing pajamas in her school back in Sweden was not considered a trend and fashion statement but was instead considered something unusual that few people would wear. However, she mentioned in the caption of her video that she “loves” the comfort of pajamas at school and finds it fascinating. Overlooking pajamas as a trend, the idea of being comfortable in them all day is a dream for so many young women. Selma added that things are very different in her Swedish school. “In Sweden, the school is so different. We go with the same 30 people in every class, and every class at the school has a different schedule, so we don’t have the bell,” she recalled.

Nevertheless, she enjoys the way things work at US schools and is now adopting trends such as pajamas. She also mentioned how lunches, timings, and so many things are different compared to her school in Sweden. “My favorite aspect is the school spirit,” Selma remarked. Having that free, fun and eased-out spirit to inculcate comfortable trends is one of the things Selma likes. “We don’t have school sports or anything in Sweden, so it’s fun to experience those kinds of things. The school here is also more fun since the lessons are easier. But I can’t focus for 90 minutes every lesson, so that’s one of the things that is not the best here.” People from different parts of the world were as shocked as Selma to see pajamas being in fashion. Responding to her, @vertiapizzamagarhita wrote, “Netherlands could never. They all wear Nike techs,” while @Lollylou24 hilariously added, “(Cries in European)- What is that?!”

You can follow Selma (@selma.doganson) on TikTok for more updates on her life in the U.S.