How I settled in West Sweden podcast
Listen to international people telling their story of how they settled in the Gothenburg region, West Sweden.
Guests share their honest stories of how they have built a community, cultural differences they have experienced, challenges they have had to overcome, the mindset they have adopted and much more!
You can listen to the episodes below or by searching for 'How I settled in West Sweden' on Spotify, itunes or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Podcast episodes
Episode eight: Pt.2 Kris Granger - Personal branding, parenthood and optimism
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
Episode seven: Pt.1 Kris Granger - People, Cultural differences, mindset and resilience
In this episode, you will hear the story of Kris Granger, who moved to Gothenburg in Sweden from Trinidad and Tobago.
Kris talks about:
• Early struggles settling into life in Sweden
• Cultural differences between Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago
• Building a life
• Battling cancer
• Mindset 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.”
Episode six: Mélanie Boucarut - From global adventures to Gothenburg: Understanding Swedish culture and settling in Sweden.
In this episode, you will 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
Episode five: Fernanda Aragão - A positive mindset, new opportunites and building a network.
In this episode, you will hear the story of Fernanda Aragão, who moved from Brazil to Gothenburg as a journalist and content creator, as her husband got a job in the automotive sector here. Fernanda talks about how she gained experience in the job market in Gothenburg, the process of building a network in Sweden, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset when searching for a job and moving to a new country when your partner moves for work and how her family have settled in Gothenburg.
Episode four: Niyat Ghebremichael - 8 hours more happiness a day, moving to Sweden for love and work-life balance.
In this episode, you will hear the story of Niyat Ghebremichael, who moved to Borås from Germany to live with her partner.
Niyat shares how she appreciates the parental leave in the Swedish system, why Borås feels like home and the importance of learning the Swedish language.
Episode three: Sara Harper - Academia, textiles and lagom
In this episode, you hear the story of Sara Harper, who moved from the United States to Borås to do a PHD and is now a senior lecturer at the University of Borås. Sara talks about moving to Borås from the United States, challenges she has had to overcome, some of the differences in academia between the United States and Sweden and how she loves the Swedish concept of lagom.
Episode two: 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 you hear the story of Chris O'Reilly, who moved from Vienna in Austria to Gothenburg, Sweden for a new start.
Chris shares his personal experiences of settling into a new country and the challenges he faced. Chris shares the mindset he adopted when moving to Gothenburg, the role sports clubs and the arts had in helping him to create a community and the joys of the cultural scene in Gothenburg.
Chris’ journey shows what can be achieved with a positive and open mindset when adjusting to a new country.
Episode one: Sheila Han - Biking, dancing and culture: new beginnings and belonging in Sheila’s Swedish Adventure.
In this episode, you will 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 of adjusting to a new culture, the many pleasant surprises they encountered along the way and the challenges her family faced. Sheila provides a personal story of their experiences. 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.
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.