by FFE Entertainment News staff

Ciao Andrade says that the next time you find an Ikea product instruction too confusing, ring him up.

Andrade has launched Furniture Fellowship on Thursday as a way to help confused Swedes with their furniture. But that is just one half of the aim of the fellowship. Andrade also wants his Swedish customers to share a beer with him and talk about Swedish culture.

The cheerful Hyper Island student said that he loves the city, but has been having trouble making Swedish friends outside of the classroom. ‘I saved money for two or three years back in Brazil in order to come here, but I still don’t know much about Swedish culture. Swedes are friendly at school but they don’t call you up after.’

Andrade arrived at the renowned institution for digital media and technology Hyper Island in July and has been sharing rooms with foreign friends in an international student housing. However, they didn’t really help him get to know his new home.

He said ‘I want to know more about the culture. I want to get to know more Swedes, and get to know Sweden. I want to learn how to make Swedish meatballs. And what is a crayfish party?’

In a fit to improve his Swedish social life, he came upon a great idea on a trip to Ikea.

‘I saw that you can pay like 300 kronor ($47) to get someone to help build your furniture. And I thought, “I can do that.” I mean I have to figure it out still, I haven’t put together much furniture myself yet. But I can be patient. Why not?’

Since launching his website, he has received invitations for beer or coffee. He said ‘A lot of people, mostly Swedes, contacted me saying it’s a nice initiative.

‘No one has said they have any furniture to set up yet, but … I had my first fika (coffee break) last week. It was wonderful.’

Caio Andrade offers Swedes to help them with their furniture.

In a fit to improve his Swedish social life, he came upon a great idea on a trip to Ikea.

‘I saw that you can pay like 300 kronor ($47) to get someone to help build your furniture. And I thought, “I can do that.” I mean I have to figure it out still, I haven’t put together much furniture myself yet. But I can be patient. Why not?’

Since launching his website, he has received invitations for beer or coffee. He said ‘A lot of people, mostly Swedes, contacted me saying it’s a nice initiative.

‘No one has said they have any furniture to set up yet, but … I had my first fika (coffee break) last week. It was wonderful.’