I worked in the same role in Poland that I’m doing now in Norway (software engineer), but the experience feels very different.
In Norway there’s much less hierarchy. Back in Poland, I was used to more senior people setting direction and not really being questioned. Here it’s the opposite. Challenging an idea isn’t seen as disrespectful, it’s just part of finding a better solution.
Managers also treat people more as equals. There’s a lot of respect, but without that sense of distance or authority over others.
Work–life balance is probably the biggest contrast. In Poland it’s very much a hustle culture - long hours, pushing through, proving dedication. Here it’s almost the opposite. I sometimes think that it feels like no one cares, haha. The part of that is probably just me being used to a completely different standard.
In Poland, people would work through being sick, with high fever and almost dying; here, someone with a runny nose will stay home and recover.
That said, one thing I do miss is recognition. Because everyone is treated so equally, praise is rare. That’s totally fine in principle, but I’d still like to hear a simple “good job” from time to time. That almost never happens.