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INTERVIEW

V.I.E, the entry point to Swedish experience for Clementine Gomez (SK 2019)

23 September 2019 INTERVIEW

An enchanting SKEMA Business School Erasmus exchange programme at Göteborg Universitet in Sweden was all Clementine needed to fall for this country... and its inhabitants!

She began searching for a job in Sweden straight after graduating. After 6 months of sending out applications, she got her opportunity: a VIE (volunteer for international experience) contract at ViaDirect, working as Regional Manager Scandinavia.

While VIE contracts are rare, they are an ideal way for French people under the age of 28 to access jobs abroad.

“I didn’t have any business contacts over there and all the vacancies I was seeing were for Finance graduates or engineers. But the long hours I spent scouring the Civiweb* site for jobs paid off!”

Torn between the fear of not integrating and the excitement of returning to Sweden, Clementine packed her things and landed in a co-working space. ViaDirect’s only employee in Sweden, she mingled with the other co-workers she saw daily, they too being isolated from their respective teams.

“My fears quickly vanished thanks to the ties forged with the other co-workers. The space I’m in contributes to creating a work environment and synergies that are super dynamic and convivial. I regularly attend the lunches, after-work get-togethers and debates that are organised. Co-working is pretty widespread in Sweden - you can sense it in their work practices.”

But despite the few lessons she took at university, for the moment Clementine only knows basic Swedish. After “Hallå” (hello), “Tack” (thank you) and “Vanligen” (please) she quickly switches to English, since the Swedes all speak it very well. Although the Swedish language is tough for beginners, speaking it is a great way to integrate and to demonstrate respect for the locals as well as a desire to communicate. To help, the Swedish government offers all foreigners working in the country extensive training free of charge, leading to official certification.

When taking her first steps in the working world over there, what most struck Clementine was the benevolence of the managers, who do what they can to make sure employees don’t feel crazy pressure at work. Work-life balance is also a big priority over there. In Sweden, the work day starts at 8 am and finishes at 4 pm, so that time can be spent with family, friends or on hobbies. The proximity to nature, even in the centre of Stockholm, is conducive to interactions that are slower and more zen, making it possible to truly reconnect with the living world and the living.

I plan on really enjoying Stockholm for another few years; I feel good here. But I would also like to experience expatriation in other countries too. I’m quite tempted by Asia, especially Hong Kong and Singapore

If Sweden is calling you, Clementine has some advice:

- Go there with a true thirst for discovery and a genuinely open mind

- Don’t judge Swedes by your first impressions, as they can initially seem cold and distant

- Learn Swedish quickly

- Avoid arriving in October/November, when the weather will really test you (!)

 

*Civiweb is the platform for VIE opportunities managed by Business France. A VIE is a contract that presents economic advantages and professional opportunities for both companies and candidates. Whether you’re a company registered in France looking to create a position abroad, or a candidate under the age of 30, you'll find all the information you need on Business France.

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