My Swedish Journey from Borlänge to Stockholm to Växjö

Hey, my name is Lucy, and I started my volunteer experience in Växjö just two months ago. But before arriving here, I had already lived in two other Swedish cities — Borlänge and Stockholm. Let me take you through my journey across these three places and three different experiences in Sweden.

Borlänge: My Erasmus+ Studies
I moved to Sweden for the first time three years ago as part of my Erasmus+ studies. It was the end of my Master’s degree studies, and I knew it was now or never if I wanted to go abroad. So, in August 2021, I took the leap and headed to Borlänge. However, my first few days were tough — the student accommodation was pricey, so I was expecting something better than a cold and dirty room in a less-than-ideal neighborhood.

It was a rocky start and on my first day I was already thinking about heading back home. But slowly, things started improving. I made new friends from different countries and started studying interesting courses. The teaching style in Sweden was different from what I was used to — the emphasis was on self-study, with classes held only twice a week. Discussions were a key part of the learning process, with a strong emphasis on expressing our own opinions.

During my free time, I explored the nice surroundings of Borlänge with my friends. We took walks in the nearby forests, picked blueberries and lingonberries, swam in the lakes, and even had a barbecue by the lake. As autumn arrived, we celebrated Swedish “food holidays” like Cinnamon Bun Day, Kladdkaka Day and so on. I also quickly realized that the biggest challenge wasn’t the cold, but the darkness — with daylight lasting only 5-6 hours a day.

Me and my friends on the lake Båtstasjön, just outside of Borlänge, at 1:30 pm

As my stay was ending, my friend and I started exploring ways to extend our time in Sweden. While I considered doing an internship after finishing my studies, my friend was interested in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). This was my first introduction to ESC, not realizing that I would eventually end up doing both!

Stockholm: Internship at the Embassy
Two years later, after completing my Master’s degree, I applied for a 6 month-long internship at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Stockholm and was thrilled to be selected. Moving to such a big city was an entirely new experience for me. Finding accommodation was surprisingly easier than expected, and I secured a room in a shared apartment in a lovely neighborhood, about 30 minutes by metro from the embassy. While the rent was only slightly more expensive than in Borlänge, the monthly public transport pass was a shock — costing as much as a yearly ticket back home. 

Starting at the embassy was a challenge — there was a lot to learn quickly. However, my colleagues were supportive, and I soon got involved in various activities, from preparing reports and helping with organizing events to managing the embassy’s social media. It was an amazing opportunity to develop new skills and make new connections in the capital of Sweden.

In my free time, I liked to travel beyond Stockholm’s city center to explore areas I hadn’t yet discovered. The natural surroundings around Stockholm were truly breathtaking, and these areas quickly became one of my favorite parts of living there.

Me and other interns at the Embassy of the Czech Republic

Växjö: Volunteering with ESC
During my time in Stockholm, I started thinking about my next steps. I wanted to gain more experience to enhance my career opportunities. I remembered the conversation I had with my friend in Borlänge about ESC, so I began browsing opportunities while I was back at Czech Republic. I found a volunteer project in Växjö that seemed like a perfect fit for me. I applied and was lucky enough to be selected. 

So, this summer, I said goodbye to my memories in Stockholm and moved further south to Växjö. To my surprise, I was greeted by a nice city with much more to offer than I expected. This time, I didn’t have to worry about finding accommodation, as the receiving organization took care of it. I was also able to enroll in SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) courses, thanks to our coordinator who helped us obtain a personal number, making it much easier to integrate into Swedish society. And now, I’m facing a new challenge — adapting to the Swedish work environment. 

Me and Sigrit during our first fair in Växjö

The Beauty and Challenges of Living Abroad
Living abroad is not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. You gain a lot of new experiences, meet people from all over the world, and build a “temporary family” with other international people. I’ve seen growth in not just my English, but also in my Swedish skills. Surprisingly, my experience abroad has also deepened my appreciation for my own country. If I, a big introvert, could step out of my comfort zone and do these things, I truly believe anyone can.