About Yanitsa – Your Swedish and Danish Teacher
Hej, I’m Yanitsa, and I’ve been obsessed with Scandinavia for over 15 years 🤷♀️
I’m a non-native Swedish and Danish teacher, and a Norwegian language enthusiast. 🇸🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴
Basically, I turned my obsession into both a hobby and a career – and now I help others learn Scandinavian languages in a way that feels clear, doable, and (yes) even fun. ✨
Languages Were Always the Plan
I’ve always known I’d study and work with languages. As a kid, I actually wanted to become a translator – I don’t think I ever dreamed of being a teacher. That part came later.
But languages were always the plan. 🧭
Even back in first grade, I loved English (I was pretty good at it too – and let’s be honest, we all like doing things we’re good at, right?). But it was never quite enough – I wanted to learn more languages. I just always kind of assumed I’d go for something more “classical,” like Spanish or French.
One Song → My Whole Life
But things took a different turn when I was 13 and discovered Danish music. I didn’t understand a word, but I just loved the sound and wanted to hear more. Before I knew it, I was obsessed with Scandinavia, and dreaming about studying Scandinavian languages. 🌠
What started with a random Danish song turned into two language degrees and a career as a Swedish and Danish teacher, with more than six years of experience and hundreds of students, and me finally starting this new chapter where I’m here to help YOU. 🚀
Long Story Short
Fast forward a few years, I was already studying Scandinavian Studies at university, with Swedish as my first language, and Danish as my second.
🎓 I got both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in it, and, alongside Scandinavian languages and linguistics, I also took courses in literature, history, geography, and culture of the Scandinavian countries.
During my Bachelor’s, I spent a semester studying in Sweden, and later, during my Master’s, I got a scholarship from the Swedish Institute to go back and write my Master’s thesis there.
While I was still working on my Master’s degree, I started working as a Swedish and Danish teacher at a language school specialized in Scandinavian languages. That’s when I discovered how much I enjoy explaining things in a way that actually makes sense – and seeing those “ohhh, now I get it” moments happen. 💡
Since then, I’ve taught Swedish and Danish to hundreds of students at all levels. I’ve also created tons of extra materials for them, from grammar guides to vocabulary lists – always with one goal in mind: to make learning feel clear, logical, and doable. 🧩
Why I Created Aurora Bookrealis
After 6+ years and thousands of hours of teaching, I realized my love for Scandinavian languages was too big to stay inside the classroom. 🌍
That’s why I created Aurora Bookrealis – so I could:
- make language learning feel less scary (and actually make sense),
- share all my tips, tricks, and shortcuts that help things click,
- inspire you through the culture, books, places, and everyday life of Scandinavia,
- and support you however I can – because I know you CAN do it. 💪
Get to Know Me
💍 I’m married to my high school sweetheart, who proposed to me in Swedish under the Northern Lights in Norway.
🌊 We live by the seaside in Burgas, Bulgaria, but we almost never make it to the beach.
🐈 We have two cats, Freya and Sky, who regularly walk across my keyboard and try to attend lessons.
☕ I drink way too much coffee, and I’m obsessed with fika.
🌍 I love traveling, and I always have a running list of places to go next.
🏡 But I’m also a homebody, who could spend hours (and days!) with a jigsaw puzzle, or playing board games with my husband.
📚 I keep a “to-read” list that’s longer than I could ever finish, but I keep adding to it anyway.
🏃♀️ I love running and HIIT. I’m sometimes too lazy to start, but I never regret it after.
📺 Sitcoms are my comfort zone. I always have Friends or The Office playing in the background instead of music.
🛍 I’m low-key obsessed with buying cups, socks, tote bags, and fridge magnets (I buy one on every trip) , and I absolutely do not need more.
🇸🇪 I love all of Scandinavia, but I have to admit: Sweden is my weak spot.
A Little Bit of Me, Scandi Edition
🌟 Favorite Scandinavian word?
🇸🇪 Lagom. Because balance is everything.
🍰 A treat I’ll never say no to?
🇸🇪 Semlor, 🇩🇰 Wienerbrød
🗺️ Favorite place?
🇸🇪 Lund, 🇳🇴 Tromsø (yep, pretty much as south and as north as it can get, very lagom )
🧳 Dream trip?
🇩🇰 Bornholm and 🇸🇪 Gotland in summer, 🇳🇴 Lofoten in winter.
🧠 My language-learning philosophy?
It has to make sense. I believe in learning with logic, not just memorizing random stuff.
✨My teaching style?
Clear, cozy, and encouraging.
💡 Thing I love about teaching?
The “aha!” moments.
👣 Thing I love about being a non-native teacher?
I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how to help.
💬 Thing I say a lot in lessons?
“There’s actually a rule for that.”
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. If you’ve made it this far, I have a feeling we’re going to get along just fine. 💛
Aurora Bookrealis is your place to learn Swedish and Danish, and discover Scandinavian culture. And I’m your Swedish and Danish teacher, ready to share everything I know with you.
No Matter Where You’re Starting From…
If you’re already head over heels for Scandinavia, you’ll feel right at home here. If you’re not quite there yet – get ready to be. There’s a lot to discover at Aurora Bookrealis, and I’m so happy you’re here for it.
Whether you’re just getting curious or already knee-deep in grammar and vocabulary, word order and modal verbs, I’m here to help you learn Swedish and Danish in a way that feels clear, doable, and fun!
Whenever you’re ready, you can:
Explore my recent blog posts ⬇️