Sophie during her internship in Stockholm

Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

Hi! My name is Sophie and I’m from the Netherlands where I study International Business & Management. For my studies, I have to spend a year abroad, so I’m doing an internship in Stockholm, Sweden.

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Sweden?

I arrived in Stockholm at the end of January, right in the middle of winter. So the very first thing I thought when I arrived was: "Wow, it’s incredibly cold here."

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Stockholm?

Since I’m a student, the biggest difference for me is the price of alcohol. There are high taxes on alcohol sales here, making it much more expensive compared to the Netherlands.

What does your typical workday look like?

A workday in Sweden is usually 8 hours. I start in the morning at 9 and head home around 5. Besides the lunch break, we often have coffee together. In Sweden, besides working hard, social contact and a good work atmosphere are very important.

How is the work atmosphere at your internship company?

The atmosphere at my internship company is very good. We have a young and international company, so everyone speaks English, which is great for me since I know few Swedish words. We also work with organizations focused on making the world a better place (mission-driven organizations), which creates a positive vibe at our company.

Have you ever been homesick? How did you deal with it?

Since I already spent half a year abroad before, I’m used to being away from home. So I haven’t really experienced homesickness yet.

Do you feel at home in Stockholm? Why (not)?

At the moment, I definitely feel at home in Stockholm. Of course, it takes some getting used to in the beginning, but now I’ve really found my place. Great roommates, nice colleagues, and an amazing city.

Is there a typical local dish that you REALLY can’t eat (or really like)?

It’s not a dish I’m talking about now, but I have really become a fan of Fika. Fika is coffee with pastries in the afternoon, which is very popular in Sweden. The best part here, for me, is definitely all the cakes.

Give us tips on who you should befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

Since I’m doing an internship here, it was very important for me to become friends with my roommates and colleagues because you spend most of your time with them. I lived in an apartment with two other really nice students, one from Belgium and one from Spain, and I was really lucky with them.

Describe the people of Stockholm in three words.

Helpful, friendly, polite.

What have you learned from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? Details, we want details!

What I mainly learned from my internship abroad is that even though you work full time, you should always try to find time for fun things. I did a lot of after-work drinks and weekend trips.

My experience with my internship in Stockholm is better than expected. My internship company suits me perfectly, and through this internship I discovered what kind of company I want to work for later. Stockholm itself is also better than expected; the city has everything you could want — nice shops, lots of culture, good restaurants, and fantastic (but expensive) nightlife.