Year in Review 2018 SACC YIR 2018-with-hyperlinks | Page 13

member spotlight
Andreas Wochtl
Financial advisor & SACC-
Philadelphia board member
Andreas Wochtl joined SACC-Philadelphia’s Board of
Directors in January 2018. He came to Philadelphia from
Sweden as a 17-year-old, and played ice-hockey at college
for a year and a half. Later, he started his own business
organizing hockey camps and running a gym. Today, he’s a
financial adviser at Citizens Bank.
Why did you get involved with the Chamber?
For two reasons; first and foremost, I’ve met maybe
one Swede per year during the 17 years I’ve been in
Philadelphia, so it’s fun to be able to spend some time
with other Swedes. Second, I live closer to the city now,
which makes it easier to be involved. Also, since I became
a financial adviser, being involved with the Chamber gives
me an opportunity to promote my own business and use
the Chamber as a platform to get new clients.
There are a few things Andreas misses about Sweden, like
his family and ‘tunnbrödsrulle’, for example. Tunnbröd,
which translates to thin bread, is a sort of flatbread that
you roll up with everything from cheese and ham, to butter
and vegetables.
What’s the biggest difference culturally between
Sweden and the U.S.?
You have more options and better possibilities here. You
know, to live the ‘American Dream’.
Andreas grew up in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, and have
been living in the suburbs of Philadelphia since he
sacc-philadelphia year in review 2018
came to America. Environmentally the two cities
are quite similar, he says, except for the public
transportation systems.
“It’s much easier to take the train or bus in Stockholm; you
basically don’t need a car. It would’ve been great to have
the same easy access to public transportation here.”
If you would recommend one thing to see or do
in Philadelphia, what would it be?
For someone coming here that really wants to experience
Philadelphia and the USA, I would recommend going to
an Eagles game. Walk around the parking lots a few hours
before the game and take part in the tailgates—that will
show you what Americans are really like. I love it, people
are just so nice and it’s amazing that 80,000 people show
up for a football game every Sunday!
Either/or
Swedish Meatballs / Mac & Cheese
Swedish Candy / American Candy
Soccer / American Football
Philadelphia / Stockholm
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