Inspired By: Launguage with guest Alina

In this episode of Inspired By, host Sofie welcomes Alina, a high school student with a Swedish mom and a deep connection to Sweden that she is determined to hold on to. Together they explore what it means to keep a language and a culture alive in a country where almost no one around you speaks it.

Alina shares how she and her brother practice Swedish at home, at school and at a Swedish language school, while working toward the Seal of Biliteracy. She talks openly about the ups and downs of staying consistent and about the pushback she gets for studying a less common language. What keeps her going is the thought of summers in Sweden with her family.

You'll hear how Alina feels both American and Swedish, depending on where she is. She also talks about learning German and about her dream of studying in Sweden one day. She explains how the Swedish idea of lagom, or balance, shapes the way she runs, rests and approaches life.

The conversation closes with rapid-fire questions and Alina's thoughts on how girls can support one another: be confident, be yourself and be a role model.

This episode is perfect for anyone raising bilingual children, learning a heritage language or hoping to reconnect with their roots. It's also a reminder of the fresh perspective a younger generation brings to the conversation.