Each month, we meet international people who have settled in the Gothenburg region and West Sweden. They share honest stories about their journeys — from creating a social circle and understanding Swedish culture to overcoming personal and professional challenges. Whether you already live in West Sweden, are planning a move, or are starting fresh in any new country, these real-life experiences are for you!
The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.
Saaya Sorrells Weatherford - Turning New Beginnings into New Businesses
In our new episode of How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Saaya Sorrells Weatherford, an entrepreneur with roots in Japan and the United States. After living in several countries and running a successful business in Honduras, she and her husband decided to start a new chapter in Gothenburg. In this episode, she talks about building a life in Sweden, starting a company, and what entrepreneurship has taught her along the way.
“I think that my greatest learning from being here is that pushing yourself, as much as it sucks and as much as you're out of your comfort zone at that point in time, does pay off in the end. I think you should just try everything. Try hobbies that you haven't tried before. Try hobbies with no hope of ever actually being good at it.”
In this episode, Saaya shares:
How to build a network from scratch when you don't know many people.
The realities of starting and running a business in Sweden as an international entrepreneur.
Why stepping outside your comfort zone can open unexpected opportunities.
Lessons from entrepreneurship, resilience, and adapting to different cultures.
Honest reflections on being an entrepreneur in Gothenburg.
The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.
👀More tips about living in West Sweden:
Networking events at International House Gothenburg: https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG (https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG)
Book an online session with the career advisor: https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true (https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true)
📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
24 Aug 2026
Cicero Badet - Asking the hard questions, building confidence, finding belonging in West Sweden
In our episode of How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Cicero Badat, whose journey has taken him from Malawi to the United States and eventually to Gothenburg. In this episode, Cicero shares how he navigated the challenges of settling in a new country, built a career, and finding his place in Swedish society while staying true to who he is.
“ I would definitely suggest to people is have those conversations that you think are not, that you shouldn't be having. Have those conversations. Start it up. Ask the stupid questions. Ask how challenging it is to find a job. Ask, because you just don't realize that you're not the only person.”
In this episode, Cicero shares:
His journey from Malawi to the US, then to a pitch-dark December in Halmstad, and eventually settling in Gothenburg, and the job hunt that took him from assistant chef to project manager.
The moment a recruiter suggested he change his name to get ahead, and why he decided that wasn't up for negotiation.
How fika, after-works, and saying yes to every invitation helped him move from simply feeling included to actually feeling part of society.
His honest reflections on raising his kid between two worlds, and his advice to fellow internationals: never be afraid to ask the "stupid" questions, because you're never the only one asking them!
The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.
👀More tips about living in West Sweden:
Networking events at International House Gothenburg: https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG (https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG)
Book an online session with the career advisor: https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true (https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true)
📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
13 May 2026
Liz Rider - Meeting people, building relationships and persistence
This month on How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Liz Ryder, an organizational psychologist who moved from the UK to Gothenburg with her family. Liz talks about why building relationships has been key to her career and social life, the cultural and workplace differences she encountered, what it is like to move to a new country with a family, and how a disappointing Midsummer one summer evolved into a joyful celebration the next, once she’d found her people.
“ Join every club, meet every person, even if it's something that you don't particularly like or it's people that are not your people, because that's how you'll find your people.”
In this episode, Liz shares:
The subtle but real cultural differences between the UK and Sweden, from winter hibernation to workplace hierarchy
How she connected her existing UK network to Sweden, everyone knows somebody, and that's always enough to start
Why building your network early matters more than building your business plan and her advice for those who find networking draining or uncomfortable
What she loves most about living in Gothenburg, from long summer evenings to kayaking around the islands
The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.
👀More tips about living in West Sweden:
Networking events at International House Gothenburg: https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG (https://www.investingothenburg.com/work-live/international-house-gothenburg#visitIHG)
Book an online session with the career advisor: https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true (https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/InternationalHouse@businessregion.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true)
📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
31 Mar 2026
Kris Granger - Personal branding, parenthood and optimism
Today, we continue the story of Kris Granger, a marketing strategist from Trinidad and Tobago, as he reflects on how relationships, self-belief, and persistence helped him build a life in Gothenburg. From learning how to network as an outsider to navigating Swedish work culture, fatherhood, and work-life balance, Kris shares the people, values, and mindset shifts that helped him move forward.
“Being successful is hard. Being unsuccessful is hard. Choose your hard.”
In this episode, Kris shares:
How he built his network in Gothenburg and why connections can open unexpected doors
His advice on networking as an introvert and finding ways to show value
Why personal branding is not about self-promotion, but about how people remember you
What fatherhood in Sweden has meant to him and why he values the role of fathers here
His reflections on Swedish work-life balance, trust, and workplace culture
The mindset that helped him stay optimistic, protect his self-worth, and keep going through challenges
The podcast is produced by Move to Gothenburg, a regional public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union, to help attract and support international professionals.
👀 More tips about living in West Sweden:
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/personal-life/creating-a-social-life/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/personal-life/creating-a-social-life/)
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/work/finding-a-job/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/live/work/finding-a-job/)
📍Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
24 Mar 2026
Kris Granger - People, Cultural differences, mindset and resilience
Today you will hear the story of Kris Granger, who moved to Gothenburg in Sweden from Trinidad and Tobago.
In this episode, Kris talks about:
Early struggles settling into life in Sweden
Cultural differences between Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago
Building a life
Battling cancer
Mindset and resilience
“ I needed to be open to the idea that I could have a great career, that I could have a great bank account, that I could have a great social life, that I could be respected and admired.”
The acting class Kris talks about:Gothenburg English Studio Theatre Acting classeshttps://www.gest.se/adult-acting-courses (https://www.gest.se/adult-acting-courses)
The book Kris mentioned - Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.
📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
#MoveToGothenburg #WestSweden #LifeInSweden #WorkingInSweden #LivingInSweden #SwedishCulture
2 Dec 2025
Mélanie Boucarut - From global adventures to Gothenburg: Understanding Swedish culture and settling in Sweden
This month on How I Settled in West Sweden, we meet Mélanie Boucarut — a true global citizen whose has lived in the USA, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Algeria, and more… before finally calling Gothenburg home.
“ Sweden has been my biggest cultural shock. So of, out of all the countries I've lived and worked in, it's been the country where I find that I've had the most surprises.”
In this episode, Mélanie talks about:
How Sweden has been the biggest cultural shock out of all the countries she has lived in
Cultural differences between France and Sweden
A useful story she uses to help explain and remember some of the cultural differences
If you’re navigating Swedish society, work culture, or social interactions, this episode is for you!
👀More tips about working in West Sweden:
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/my-work-life-in-west-sweden/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/my-work-life-in-west-sweden/)
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/swedish-working-culture-tips/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/work/swedish-working-culture-tips/)
📍 Follow Move to Gothenburg
Website: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ (https://www.movetogothenburg.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/movetogothenburg/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg (https://www.youtube.com/@MovetoGothenburg)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.instagram.com/movetogothenburg/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/ (https://www.facebook.com/movetogothenburg/)
#MoveToGothenburg #WestSweden #LifeInSweden #WorkingInSweden #LivingInSweden #SwedishCulture
3 Nov 2025
Fernanda Aragão - Positive mindset
In this month's episode, we hear the story of Fernanda Aragão, who moved from Brazil to Gothenburg as a partner. Fernanda discusses the challenges she has faced, the process of building a social network in Sweden, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset when searching for a job in the market.
1 Oct 2025
Niyat Ghebremichael
In this month’s episode, we hear the story of Niyat Ghebremichael, who moved to Borås from Germany to live with her partner.
Niyat shares how she appreciates the parental leave in the Swedish system, why Borås is the right place for you, and the importance of learning the Swedish language.
1 Sept 2025
Sara Harper - Academia, textiles and lagom
In this month's episode, we hear the story of Sara Harper, who moved from the United States to Borås to do a PHD and is now a senior lecturer at the University of Borås. Sara talks about moving to Borås from the United States, challenges she has had to overcome, some of the differences in academica between the United States and Sweden and how she loves the Swedish concept of lagom.
1 Jul 2025
Chris O’Reilly - Dodgeball, acting and the magical world of Fringe: A positive, open mindset and eclectic mix of activities when laying down new roots.
In this episode of ‘How I settled in West Sweden’, we hear the wonderful story of Chris O'Reilly, who moved from Vienna in Austria to Gothenburg, Sweden for a new start.
Chris shares his personal experiences of settling into a new country and the challenges he faced. Chris shares the mindset he adopted when moving to Gothenburg, the role sports clubs and the arts had in helping him to create a community and the joys of the cultural scene in Gothenburg.
Chris’ journey shows what can be achieved with a positive and open mindset when adjusting to a new country.
30 Jun 2025
Sheila Han - Biking, dancing and culture: new beginnings and belonging in Sheila’s Swedish Adventure.
In this episode of 'How I Settled in West Sweden' we hear the inspiring story of Sheila Han, who moved from Shanghai, China to Gothenburg, Sweden with her family for a new career opportunity.
Sheila shares her journey of adjusting to a new culture, the many pleasant surprises they encountered along the way and the challenges her family faced. Sheila provides a personal story of their experiences. Tune in to hear more about her journey including, how she found a deeper connection with herself through the rhythm of the seasons and newfound hobbies, her son's adaptation to the Swedish education system, and exploring the natural beauty of Sweden.
Sheila's story shows the rewards that come with embracing a new life and some of the things you can do to settle in a new country.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
487,205
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
0
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