How I settled in West Sweden

Move to Gothenburg
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Each month, we meet international people who have settled in the Gothenburg region and West Sweden. They share honest stories about their journeys — from creating a social circle and understanding Swedish culture to overcoming personal and professional challenges. Whether you already live in West Sweden, are planning a move, or are starting fresh in any new country, these real-life experiences are for you! The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.

Episodes

  1. May 13

    Liz Rider - Meeting people, building relationships and persistence

    This month on How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Liz Ryder, an organizational psychologist who moved from the UK to Gothenburg with her family. Liz talks about why building relationships has been key to her career and social life, the cultural and workplace differences she encountered, what it is like to move to a new country with a family, and how a disappointing Midsummer one summer evolved into a joyful celebration the next, once she’d found her people.  “ Join every club, meet every person, even if it's something that you don't particularly like or it's people that are not your people, because that's how you'll find your people.”  In this episode, Liz shares:  The subtle but real cultural differences between the UK and Sweden, from winter hibernation to workplace hierarchy  How she connected her existing UK network to Sweden, everyone knows somebody, and that's always enough to start  Why building your network early matters more than building your business plan and her advice for those who find networking draining or uncomfortable  What she loves most about living in Gothenburg, from long summer evenings to kayaking around the islands  The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.  👀More tips about living in West Sweden:    Networking events at International House Gothenburg: https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG   Book an online session with the career advisor: https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true     📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: ⁠https://www.movetogothenburg.com/⁠     LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/⁠     YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg⁠     Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/⁠     Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/⁠

    33 min
  2. Kris Granger - Personal branding, parenthood and optimism

    Mar 31

    Kris Granger - Personal branding, parenthood and optimism

    Today, we continue the story of Kris Granger, a marketing strategist from Trinidad and Tobago, as he reflects on how relationships, self-belief, and persistence helped him build a life in Gothenburg. From learning how to network as an outsider to navigating Swedish work culture, fatherhood, and work-life balance, Kris shares the people, values, and mindset shifts that helped him move forward.  “Being successful is hard. Being unsuccessful is hard. Choose your hard.”  In this episode, Kris shares:  How he built his network in Gothenburg and why connections can open unexpected doors  His advice on networking as an introvert and finding ways to show value  Why personal branding is not about self-promotion, but about how people remember you  What fatherhood in Sweden has meant to him and why he values the role of fathers here  His reflections on Swedish work-life balance, trust, and workplace culture  The mindset that helped him stay optimistic, protect his self-worth, and keep going through challenges  The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.  👀 More tips about living in West Sweden:  https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/personal-life/creating-a-social-life/  https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/work/finding-a-job/  📍Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: ⁠⁠https://www.movetogothenburg.com/⁠⁠   LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/⁠⁠   YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/⁠⁠   Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/⁠⁠

    28 min
  3. Kris Granger - People, Cultural differences, mindset and resilience

    Mar 24

    Kris Granger - People, Cultural differences, mindset and resilience

    Today you will hear the story of Kris Granger, who moved to Gothenburg in Sweden from Trinidad and Tobago. In this episode, Kris talks about: Early struggles settling into life in SwedenCultural differences between Sweden and Trinidad and TobagoBuilding a lifeBattling cancerMindset and resilience“ I needed to be open to the idea that I could have a great career, that I could have a great bank account, that I could have a great social life, that I could be respected and admired.” The acting class Kris talks about:Gothenburg English Studio Theatre Acting classeshttps://www.gest.se/adult-acting-courses The book Kris mentioned - Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.   📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: ⁠https://www.movetogothenburg.com/⁠   LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/⁠   YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg⁠   Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/⁠   Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/⁠    #MoveToGothenburg #WestSweden #LifeInSweden #WorkingInSweden #LivingInSweden #SwedishCulture

    31 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    Mélanie Boucarut - From global adventures to Gothenburg: Understanding Swedish culture and settling in Sweden

    This month on How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Mélanie Boucarut — a true global citizen whose has lived in the USA, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Algeria, and more… before finally calling Gothenburg home.  “ Sweden has been my biggest cultural shock. So of, out of all the countries I've lived and worked in, it's been the country where I find that I've had the most surprises.”  In this episode,  Mélanie talks about:  How Sweden has been the biggest cultural shock out of all the countries she has lived in  Cultural differences between France and Sweden  A useful story she uses to help explain and remember some of the cultural differences    If you’re navigating Swedish society, work culture, or social interactions, this episode is for you!    👀More tips about working in West Sweden:  https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/my-work-life-in-west-sweden/   https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/swedish-working-culture-tips/    📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/    #MoveToGothenburg #WestSweden #LifeInSweden #WorkingInSweden #LivingInSweden #SwedishCulture

    31 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Fernanda Aragão - A positive mindset, new opportunites and building a network

    In this month’s episode, we meet Fernanda Aragão, who moved from Brazil to Gothenburg as a journalist and content creator after her husband accepted a job in the automotive sector in Gothenburg, Sweden.  Fernanda shares her experience of entering the local job market, building a professional network in Sweden, and maintaining a positive mindset while searching for work and relocating as a partner. She also talks about how her family has settled into life in Gothenburg and her journey of learning Swedish.    👀More tips about living in Sweden:  Creating a social life in the Gothenburg region, West Sweden | Move To Gothenburg  Find a job in the Gothenburg region, West Sweden | Move To Gothenburg  📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/

    36 min
  6. Niyat Ghebremichael - 8 hours more happiness a day, moving to Sweden for love and work-life balance.

    10/01/2025

    Niyat Ghebremichael - 8 hours more happiness a day, moving to Sweden for love and work-life balance.

    In this month’s episode, we hear the story of Niyat Ghebremichael, who moved to Borås from Germany to live with her partner.  Niyat talks about her experience settling in Sweden, how she appreciates the Swedish parental leave system, why Borås has been the right place for her and her family. She also reflects on the importance of learning the Swedish language and how it has helped her build confidence, community, and a sense of belonging in West Sweden.  👀More tips about living in Sweden:  Family life in Gothenburg and West Sweden | Move To Gothenburg  How to learn Swedish | Move To Gothenburg  📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/

    14 min

  7. 09/01/2025

    Sara Harper - Academia, textiles and discovering Lagom in Sweden

    In this month's episode, we hear the story of Sara Harper, who moved from the United States to Borås to pursue a PHD and is now a senior lecturer at the University of Borås. Sara talks about her journey of settling in West Sweden, challenges she has had to overcome, and some of the differences she experienced between academia in the United States and Sweden She also talks about discovering—and embracing—the uniquely Swedish concept of lagom, and how it has shaped her life both inside and outside the university. Sara’s story offers valuable insights for anyone interested in studying in Sweden, working in Swedish academia, or understanding what it’s like to start a new chapter as an international in Borås. 👀More tips about living in Sweden:  About Borås | Move To Gothenburg  How to apply to university | Move To Gothenburg  📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/

    21 min

  8. 07/01/2025

    Chris O’Reilly - Dodgeball, acting and the magical world of Fringe: A positive, open mindset and eclectic mix of activities when laying down new roots.

    In this episode of ‘How I settled in West Sweden’, we hear the wonderful story of Chris O'Reilly, who moved to Gothenburg from Vienna, Austria, for a new start. Chris shares his personal experiences of settling in Sweden and the challenges he faced, and what life is like as an international in Gothenburg. He talks about the mindset needed when moving to a new country, how sports clubs and the arts and culture scene in Gothenburg helped him build a community, and why Gothenburg is such a welcoming place for people starting a new life in Sweden. Chris’ journey shows what can be achieved with a positive and open mindset when adjusting to a new country, offering inspiration for anyone interested in expat life in Sweden or learning more about living in West Sweden. 👀More tips about living in Sweden: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live...https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live...📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ LinkedIn:   / movetogothenburg   YouTube:    / @movetogothenburg   Instagram:   / movetogothenburg   Facebook:   / movetogothenburg   #lifeinsweden #MoveToGothenburg #WestSweden #LifeInSweden #WorkingInSweden #livinginsweden #gothenburg

    20 min

  9. 06/30/2025

    Sheila Han - Biking, dancing and culture: new beginnings and belonging in Sheila’s Swedish Adventure.

    In this episode of 'How I Settled in West Sweden' we hear the inspiring story of Sheila Han, who moved from Shanghai, China to Gothenburg, Sweden with her family for a new career opportunity.   Sheila shares her journey as an international person exploring a new culture, the many pleasant surprises encountered along the way, including the afterschool sports activities and the cultural challenges her family faced at work and at school. Tune in to hear more about her journey including, how she found a deeper connection with herself through the rhythm of the seasons and newfound hobbies, her son's adaptation to the Swedish education system, and exploring the natural beauty of Sweden.   Tune in to hear more about how she enjoys work-life balance including, how she found a deeper connection with herself through the rhythm of the seasons and newfound hobbies, her son's adaptation to the Swedish education system, and exploring the natural beauty of Sweden.   Sheila's story shows the rewards that come with embracing a new life and some of the things you can do to settle in a new country.    👀More tips about living in Sweden:  https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/my-work-life-in-west-sweden/   https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/swedish-working-culture-tips/  📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg  Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/

    18 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Each month, we meet international people who have settled in the Gothenburg region and West Sweden. They share honest stories about their journeys — from creating a social circle and understanding Swedish culture to overcoming personal and professional challenges. Whether you already live in West Sweden, are planning a move, or are starting fresh in any new country, these real-life experiences are for you! The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.

Information

  • Creator
    Move to Gothenburg
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Move to Gothenburg
  • Show Website
    How I settled in West Sweden