A wide discipline that examines multiple aspects of the culture and history of Asian civilizations, past and present, Asian studies often require a specialization with regard to the region or country studied, and possibly focusing on a specific area like literature, language, history, business or politics.

Sweden (Sverige) is the largest of the Nordic countries, with a population of about 9.5 million. It borders Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark via the bridge of Öresund (Öresundsbron). Sweden has a strong tradition of being an open, yet discreet country.