Iranaya Dewanti Budi
I’ve always known that I wanted to live in Europe. But where — that was the question. Sweden never actually crossed my mind, yet somehow life brought me here, to the North.
A journey from Indonesia’s bustling capital to Sweden’s serene academic heart
Growing up in a fast-paced, bustling city, I often found myself longing for a slower rhythm. A place where I could take quiet walks, sit on a bench without hurry, and simply appreciate the beauty of life’s peaceful moments. Lund turned out to be the perfect place for that.
But what brought me here was my education. Studying at one of the best universities in Sweden comes with both gratitude and pressure. Coming from a country with a completely different education system, I often found myself juggling a lot just to keep up. Yet I’ve learned that people here truly value the learning process. No one expects you to know everything, and I truly appreciate that.
My heart found home in Sweden, yet the path to stay is not without storms
It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Sweden. I knew it could be cold and dark, but I was fortunate to experience the warmth of Swedish people. Along the way, I met many wonderful people whom I now call family, and they were the reason I decided to stay.
Still, it hasn’t been easy. I thought graduating from one of the best universities in Sweden would help me find a job right away, but that wasn’t the case. I faced rejection after rejection, and each one made me question myself: my skills, my personality, my background, everything. There were moments when I wondered whether staying here was the right decision.
The door opens for those who keep knocking
Then I came across International Citizen Hub Lund (ICHL) and the Kick-Start Program on LinkedIn. At first, I thought they might offer advice on creating a CV suitable for the Swedish job market, so I decided to apply. But what I gained was far more than that. I found a community that empowers one another, new friends who became my support system, and, most importantly, knowledge that allowed me to rethink my approach and helped me realise that pursuing a career here isn’t out of reach.
Today, I am doing my first internship at IKEA Social Entrepreneurship through Jobbsprånget. My path here was shaped by the Kick-Start Program, which opened doors for me: it introduced me to Jobbsprånget, and during one of their company visits, I was lucky to meet my current leader at IKEA. I am forever grateful for it.
Even if it takes time, it doesn’t mean it’s not coming
I’ve learned that everyone has their own timeline. It took me a year to land my foot in the job market after graduation. During that time, I watched many of my classmates already settle into their careers, and it made me feel insecure. But now, I understand that just because it takes longer, it doesn’t mean it won’t come. Sometimes, the waiting and preparation are shaping you for something greater than you could imagine. So don’t give up! It surely will come, in its own perfect time.
/Iranaya
Uppdaterad:
