New Networks and Opportunities for Accompanying Partners
The relocation to new jobs in Boden is increasing rapidly. Along with the expertise arriving in the town, partners and families often follow. For this target group—accompanying partners—a series of recurring daytime meetups is now being organized, with different themes shaping the focus and tone of each session.
From the Forum Hall in the Community Center, the buzz of what has become everyday life in Boden, “broken English”, fills the room as residents from all corners of the world meet: from India, South Africa, Scotland, Egypt, Tunisia, Finland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. They are engineers, lawyers, doctors, psychologists, and social workers; mothers and fathers with new dreams here in Boden. Some have met before through Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), while others have just experienced the sparkling cold winter for the first time. A few have been fully occupied settling into their new lives and have not yet had the opportunity to meet many others. All express a clear desire to learn the language and find employment.
Above all, it becomes evident how important it is to build networks, exchange experiences, and have the opportunity to ask questions when establishing a new life in a new place. That is precisely what these meetups aim to provide.
The goal is to create a supportive forum focused on employment and career opportunities, the Swedish language, social integration, and understanding how Swedish authorities and societal systems function in practice.
The first meetup included, among other contributions, a presentation from an accompanying partner of a teacher from the Netherlands who arrived about 1.5 years ago, sharing personal experiences. Representatives from relocation services, job matching services, Let’s Go Swedish, ABF, SFI, and a private study advisor were also invited to present their activities and offer advice and guidance.
This is the first of several meetings aimed at accompanying partners and international candidates who are English-speaking and have the right to work and/or study in Sweden. The event is co-financed by the European Union and Region Norrbotten.
Upcoming meetings:
• 19 March, 10:00–12:00
• 23 April, 10:00–12:00
• 21 May, 10:00–12:00
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Text by: Anna Bergström
Photo by: Patrik Öhman
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