Greg Poehler and Josephine Bornebusch star in “Welcome to Sweden”

If you’ve ever experienced the confusion and feelings of flustered inadequacy brought on by a healthy dose of culture shock, you’re probably well aware of the situation’s comic potential.

The charming and witty Poehler siblings certainly are, and viewers in far-off Scandinavia are already thanking them for it. NBC has glommed onto “Welcome to Sweden” -- a Swedish sitcom created by Greg Poehler, brother of the better-known Amy Poehler of “Saturday Night Live” and "Parks and Recreation" fame. The series, loosely based on Greg’s own life experiences, makes its North American debut Thursday, July 10, on NBC.

If this is the first you’re hearing of this second Poehler, it’s because he’s fairly new to the entertainment game. He made the improbable leap from lawyer to standup comic just two years ago after working for 12 years as the former. Back when his parents were still supporting his not-yet-successful sister Amy as she strove to become an improv comic, they voiced concern at the prospect of having two children chasing careers in an industry in which relatively few succeed.

Greg, therefore, took the responsible route and pursued a more stable career -- law. But, as he tells “The Hollywood Reporter,” “I was never comfortable in that world and in that suit.”

In 2006, Greg moved to Sweden to be with the woman he loved and would eventually marry. It’s this major change in his life that sparked “Welcome to Sweden,” which is grounded in a similar storyline.

His character, Bruce Evans, isn’t a lawyer, but he does have a lucrative career (which also requires a suit). As an accountant for spoiled-rotten celebrities in New York, Bruce is doing well for himself financially, but he’s not exactly fulfilled in his job. The chance to change things up arises when his beautiful and loving Swedish girlfriend, Emma Wiik (played by native Swede Josephine Bornebusch of “Playa del Sol” fame), lands a prestigious banking job back in Stockholm. Bruce leaves his life in the U.S. to be with his soulmate, but he also sees it as an opportunity to start fresh in a very different place.

The culture clashes Bruce experiences and his difficulty adjusting to his new setting are the show’s main points of warmth and humor. According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” it’s “a fish out of water story and a love story," Greg told reporters.

The couple moves in with Emma’s parents, and trying to win them over is a major hurdle for Bruce right off the bat. Her mother, Viveka (Lena Olin, “Chocolat,” 2000), takes an instant disliking to him. Her father, Birger (Claes Månsson, “Lorry”) is a retired sea captain described as “the typical Swede” -- tall, kind and silent. He makes a legitimate effort with his daughter’s beau, but with his English being shaky at best, the language barrier makes building a relationship a bit tricky.

Lena Olin as seen in “Welcome to Sweden”

If Swedish audiences are anything to go by, “Welcome to Sweden” gives us a lot to look forward to on this side of the Atlantic. The comedy debuted there in March on TV4 and was picked up for a second season after just two weeks. Greg told HitFix that “the show has been amazingly well received there. Not just reaction, but the numbers are gigantic.”

With so many shows being shot on a set in L.A., it’s refreshing that “Welcome to Sweden” can boast the authenticity of being filmed almost entirely in Stockholm and with a large Swedish cast. Don’t worry about digging out your reading glasses, though. While there are the odd subtitles, the series is in English.

With Greg’s hilarious sister on board as one of its executive producers, the show is bound to deliver comically. Initially, he only sent her the script to make sure it was laid out appropriately, but once Amy read it, she wanted in on the project. Her willingness to not only involve herself but produce the show speaks to the quality of the material.

“I knew she wouldn’t want to be involved in something if it wasn’t good. We’ve had several family members pitch her unsuccessfully,” he told HitFix.

“I always knew he was a funny writer and I’m glad you know that, too,” added Amy.

Along with her involvement behind the scenes, Amy will also make a cameo appearance as one of Bruce’s obnoxious celebrity clients -- herself. Fellow “SNL” alum Will Ferrell will pop up as well, and it’s worth tuning in just to hear him converse in fluent Swedish (his real-life wife is a native Swede). Also making smile-worthy cameos as Bruce’s erstwhile clients are Amy’s former “Parks and Recreation” co-star Aubrey Plaza and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, who’s ticked off that Bruce would dare to quit as his accountant, and lets him know it.

It takes a certain type of sitcom to stand out from the same old, same old, and it looks like the Poehler siblings have struck gold. “Welcome to Sweden” is a notable departure from so much of what’s airing in prime time right now that it’s bound to be a breath of fresh air this summer. Don’t miss the North American premiere of this cute comedy airing Thursday, July 10, on NBC.