Rose Mary, an Indian expat from Bengaluru, initially moved to Sweden in 2014 as an engineering student looking to build a bright future and robust career for herself. Now, a decade later, she is an engineer and loves travelling. As an analytical mind, Rose Mary enjoys learning and is constantly finding ways to make eco-conscious decisions for a sustainable tomorrow.
Check out her LinkedIn page to connect with her and learn more about her adventures as an expat living in Sweden.
For more on expat life here, see our Expat Arrivals essential guides on Sweden.
About Rose Mary
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I am originally from Bengaluru in India.
Q: What country and city did you move to?
A: Sweden
Q: When did you move?
A: 2014
Q: Is this your first expat experience?
A: Yes
Q: Did you move to Sweden alone or with a spouse/partner or family?
A: Alone
Q: Reason for moving?
A: I was looking to make a brighter future for myself.
Living in Sweden
Q: What do you enjoy most about Sweden? How would you rate the quality of life compared to India?
A: I love my city of origin, Bengaluru, and have found that its energy and beauty are incomparable. That said, I have found that the welfare system in Sweden provides certain amenities that give everybody access to fresh air, drinking water, hygiene, and cleanliness, which is great. Comparatively, people are more friendly here. As a woman, I feel more secure in Sweden.
Q: Have you had any low points? What do you miss most about home?
A: Building my home in Sweden was no easy process. The low point for me was finding skilled labourers who could construct user- and sensory-friendly living spaces.
Q: What misconceptions about Sweden, if any, have you learned were not true?
A: I have no misconceptions of my country of origin or my host country.
Q: What are the biggest adjustments you had to make when settling into expat life in Sweden? Did you experience culture shock at all?
A: The biggest adjustment was adapting to the climatic conditions in Sweden. The choice of what you can and can’t wear plays a huge role in your happiness factor here.
Q: What are your favourite things to do on the weekend? Any particular places or experiences you’d recommend to fellow expats?
A: I enjoy trekking and travelling.
Q: What’s the cost of living compared to home? Is there anything particularly expensive or particularly cheap in Sweden?
A: The cost of living in Sweden is around the same as in India.
Q: What’s public transport like in Sweden?
A: It is largely efficient as it’s on time most of the time. There is also a special focus on sustainability and using fossil-fuel-free energy sources like biogas, solar energy, wind or hydroelectricity.
Q: How would you rate the healthcare in Sweden? Have you had any particularly good/bad experiences with regard to doctors and hospitals?
A: In Sweden, everyone is responsible for their own health. Although the welfare system applies even to healthcare, the quality of service, especially counselling before certain life-changing decisions, is questionable.
Q: What’s the standard of housing like in Sweden? What different options are available?
A: The standard of housing is very high, and there are a lot of sustainable options.
Meeting people and making friends in Sweden
Q: Was meeting people and making friends easy? How did you go about meeting new people?
A: Through organisations, events and activities related to my hobbies.
Q: Have you made friends with locals, or do you mix mainly with other expats? What advice would you give to new expats looking to make friends with the locals?
A: I made friends with other expats from countries other than my own.
Working in Sweden
Q: How easy or difficult was getting a work permit and/or visa? Did you tackle the visa process yourself, or did you enlist the services of an immigration consultant?
A: The process was not easy. I would recommend being patient during the process, as the decisions are never within your control.
Instead of worrying about outcomes, live life. Time stops for no one, so spending your precious energy worrying about a future in a foreign country will only take your prime years away from you. Have faith in a greater and better power!
Q: What is the economic climate in Sweden like?
A: The economy is quite healthy, but competition for jobs is quite fierce.
Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A: The work culture in Sweden is more inclusive and transparent here compared to back home in India.
Final thoughts
Q: Any advice you’d like to offer to new arrivals in your current country of residence?
A: This is a place where miracles happen, so always be ready for your miracle to happen!
– Interviewed in August 2024
