International master’s students learn about the Swedish job market

The initiative, known as the Stockholm Student Academy, brings together international students from across the Stockholm region to help them prepare for life and work in Sweden.

A crash course in Swedish society

Over five evening sessions hosted by different universities across Stockholm, international students explored topics including career development, personal branding and everyday life in Sweden. Throughout the programme, participants gained insights from researchers, employers and international alumni who had successfully navigated the transition from student life to working life in Sweden.

The final session was held at Stockholm University and focused on what young people value in today's workplace and how to navigate social life in Sweden. The evening began with a welcome address from Stockholm University's President, Hans Adolfsson, who welcomed everyone to the university.

Understanding cultural nuances

One student who attended all five sessions was Tuvshin Anderson, who is studying the Master's Programme in Art History.

“These sessions have been incredibly helpful in understanding how the job market works in Sweden and how it differs from my home country. They have also given me a better understanding of the cultural nuances that can play an important role, both professionally and socially.”

After graduation, Tuvshin hopes to work in the commercial art sector, either in Sweden or elsewhere in Europe. He also highlighted the value of the networking opportunities provided by the programme.

“It has been great to meet students from different universities and expand my network here in Stockholm.”

Building confidence for the future

Anthonia Amazige and Boluwatife Mary Olalekan, who are both studying the Master's Programme in Performance Studies, particularly appreciated the session on CV writing and LinkedIn.

“I really enjoyed the session on how to write a strong CV and the insights into what recruiters look for when reviewing applications,” says Anthonia.

While their plans after graduation will depend on the opportunities available to them, both are open to staying in Sweden to begin their careers.

“Listening to other international students share their experiences of finding work in Sweden really gave me confidence that I can do the same,” says Boluwatife. “If they can do it, so can I.”

Learning about Sweden's start-up scene

One of the surprises for Derin Bigili, a student on the Environmental Management and Physical Planning programme, was discovering the scale of Sweden's innovation and start-up ecosystem.

“I had no idea how large the innovation scene is in Sweden or how many start-ups there are in Stockholm,” he says.

Importance of professional networks

Derin attended the programme together with Sarah Hurst, who is also studying Environmental Management and Physical Planning, and Julia Heitz, a student on the Master's Programme in Polar Landscapes and Quaternary Climate.

For Julia, one of the most valuable insights was learning about the importance of professional networks in Sweden.

“I found it particularly interesting to learn that many people find their first job through their network and personal connections,” she says.

Practical insights for the future

The students agreed that each session provided practical insights that they can take forward into their studies and future careers.

Sarah highlighted the value of learning about the unwritten aspects of Swedish culture.

“One of the most interesting things for me was gaining a better understanding of cultural nuances and social cues that I might not otherwise have picked up on. It felt like receiving insider knowledge and learning how to read between the lines.”

The programme is organised by Stockholm Academic Forum, a partnership between 17 universities and colleges in the Stockholm region and the City of Stockholm.