Experiences from our interns

Sule Kaya Hult

What's your background? What were your expectations when you moved to Gothenburg?

I moved to Sweden after a long work experience in Turkey. I studied journalism and worked as a reporter, content writer, and communications specialist in my country. I worked for many different national newspapers and TV channels. Even though I had already been working for a long time, I felt like a beginner, and everything was new to me. The language was essential for my job, and I couldn't speak Swedish. My biggest barriers were the language, different job culture, and a lack of networking. I moved to Gothenburg with many questions on my mind rather than expectations. 

Why did you apply to IHG for an internship?

I first met International House Gothenburg as a visitor shortly after I moved to Gothenburg. I participated in events at IHG and learned how to prepare myself for the Swedish job market. I preferred to do a soft landing. The best way for me to feel ready was to intern somewhere. I knew I would feel much more comfortable with less responsibility. I felt very welcomed when I stepped into IHG for the first time, and I wanted to be part of the team in the first place. So I didn't think twice about applying when I saw the position on Jobbsprånget, and thanks to IHG's advice at the events, I got the job. 

Can you tell us about your experience at IHG?

I knew an excellent opportunity was given to me, and since it was just a four-month internship, I was determined not to waste even one day during this limited time. I told my new colleagues in which fields I wanted to improve myself. And I focused on my goal and tried to be productive with the support of my colleagues. Honestly, I felt like a newbie in the first two months. During those days, I kept observing the interactions between my colleagues to get to know about Swedish work culture, and I shadowed them during work. After two months, I felt more confident and told my colleagues I was ready to take more responsibility and be more involved in projects. At the end of four months, I felt completely part of the team, and we decided to extend the internship by two months. 

What did you take away from an internship at IHG?

After six months of experience at IHG, my biggest gain is feeling more confident, thanks to my colleagues. I learned that if you have solid knowledge about your profession and are open to change, there's no barrier in front of you. During my internship, I reaped the benefits of my work experience in my country and realized the basics of the work are the same everywhere. All we need to do is adjust to the country's workplace culture. Internships are excellent opportunities for immigrants like me who have work experience and a network but lack experience in international workplaces. During my internship experience, I had a chance to overcome deficiencies I believe I had before and adjust to the Swedish job culture. I was a person who felt insecure about applying to positions before the internship, but I became a self-assured one who believed in her competence and skills. Moreover, now I have a network and references in Sweden. 

Akanksha Rai

What's your background? What were your expectations when you moved to Gothenburg?

Hello! My name is Akanksha. I like working with people; therefore, I obtained my master's degree in human resources/HR. I have two years of work experience from India. In my last job,I was responsible for office management/administration and hosting employee engagement events. I have organised events for 20-200 people.

Why did you apply to IHG for an internship?

I came across International House Gothenburg through Jobbsprånget. I found out, IHG was offering international talents with career guidance services and all services are free of charge. IHG also organises career-related and social events for international talent. Being an international myself I could immediately resonate with the vision of IHG. 

Can you tell us about your experience at IHG?

The team at IHG is no less than a role model. All my colleagues have been a mentor to me at some point and there was so much to learn from each one of them. Listening to their experiences has made me more humble. During my time at IHG, I had the pleasure of meeting people from different parts of the world. Meeting these International talents gave me a sense community and the motivation to keep going. 

What did you take away from an internship at IHG?

My time at IHG has not only honed my skills but also deepened my understanding of the Swedish corporate culture. I’m eager to leverage my expertise in a people-centric position in Sweden, with a keen interest in connecting with like-minded professionals along the way.