For Rebecca and Jakob, moving from Hamburg to Skövde was about more than earning a university degree. It was the beginning of a new chapter in a city where they found opportunities to grow professionally, build confidence in a new language, and become part of a welcoming community. Two years after arriving, both have already taken important steps towards their future careers while discovering what makes life in Skövde unique.

Rebecca and Jakob are originally from Hamburg, Germany. Two years ago, when preparing for the next step of their education, they both began looking abroad. Their search eventually led them to the University of Skövde, where each found a program that matched their interests.

“I wanted to specialize in the IT security field. So, I was looking at countries that offered the kind of education I was interested in, and that’s when I found Skövde. I traveled here for a couple of days to visit the university and explore the city before making my decision. My first impression was really good so I decided to move here.” Jakob

Rebeccas journey followed a similar path. She knew she wanted to study biology in Sweden, and after thorough research narrowed her options down to two universities. In the end, Molecular Biodesign in Skövde stood out as the most interesting.

Their decisions have since opened the door to valuable work experience alongside their studies. During the summer, both worked summer jobs in their respective fields. Rebecca worked as a lab assistant and Jakob as an on-site IT support technician. These roles not only gave them practical experience but also allowed them to build professional networks and gain insight into their future careers.

For both of them, one factor has been particularly important when entering the Swedish job market: learning the language. They have taken Swedish courses at the University of Skövde as well as through SFI (Svenska för invandrare).

“The most important thing is definitely the language. For most jobs, you need to be able to speak at least some Swedish, especially if you're looking for a position in your field. And it’s also important when networking, if a job is in Swedish, it's a good idea to communicate with the employer in Swedish as well.” – Rebecca

Outside the classroom, they found other ways to develop their language skills. When describing how they learned Swedish quickly they credit part of their progress to Language & Fika, Welcome House Skövdes event for practicing Swedish. Rebecca explains that at the event there are different tables for different levels of Swedish: one for mostly English and some basic Swedish, one for intermediate learners and one for only Swedish. This allows participants to practice at a level that suits them before gradually moving on to more advanced conversations.

“Language & Fika has been really helpful. It's a welcoming environment where making mistakes doesn't feel as intimidating. You have the opportunity to practice the language, ask questions, and explore it more freely. It's much easier to build your confidence there than if you're talking to a random stranger outside.” – Jakob

Jakob first came in contact with Welcome House when he moved to Skövde and received a letter welcoming him to the city. The letter included an invitation to visit Welcome House, where new residents could get information, practical tips about life in Skövde, and a welcome gift. Looking back, he says the guidance made settling in much easier. Instead of spending time figuring everything out on his own, he could immediately start exploring the city and enjoying life in Skövde.

When asked about life in Skövde, Rebecca and Jakob say they were pleasantly surprised by what the city had to offer. Although it’s a smaller city than for example Gothenburg, they feel Skövde provides many of the same advantages, including shops, restaurants, and a wide range of events. Above all, they describe the city as welcoming and inclusive.

Community events are another aspect of life in Skövde that stands out to them. Both Rebecca and Jakob highlights the free concerts as an example of how the city brings people together. They also mention events such as Welcome evenings and Skövde Food Festival, which attract both long-time residents and newcomers.

Beyond organized events, they emphasize that there is plenty to do in their spare time. Both Rebecca and Jakob enjoy exploring the city and its surrounding areas, particularly appreciating Skövde's proximity to nature and its walkability. They describe the city as offering an ideal balance between urban life and the outdoors, with a wide range of activities available both within the city and in nearby natural areas such as Billingen.

When asked about their favorite thing about Skövde they both point out the summers. They’ve noticed that people in Skövde seem to appreciate the sunshine and warm weather in a way they rarely experienced in Germany. Watching the city come alive as parks, cafés and public spaces fill with people, has become one of their favorite parts of living here.

“In Sweden, as soon as the weather is nice, people are out walking their dogs, meeting friends, or just spending time outdoors. It's really interesting to see how the whole atmosphere of the city changes when summer comes.” – Jakob

For Rebecca and Jakob, Skövde has become much more than a place to study. From learning Swedish and gaining valuable work experience to discovering new hobbies and becoming part of the local community, their time here has shaped both their personal and professional lives. Today Skövde feels like home. And it’s in the everyday moments, and the feeling of being genuinely welcomed, that they believe Skövde stand out as a great place to enjoy life.