EDITOR IN CHIEF
Hello, Upper East Siders! Or should I say, JIBS fam?
Presenting to you the Winter Edition of JIBS United Magazine—and let s just say, this one s got us all talking. Yours truly is beyond thrilled to share this issue with you, and trust us, you re going to want to read every page.
This year, we rolling with the dream team: the most supportive, talented, and creative crew a magazine could ask for. It s like a scene out of a fairytale—only with a lot more ambition, caffeine, and deadlines. Life s good when you re surrounded by people who don t just “get” you—they celebrate every quirky, unpredictable side. So here s to our fabulous team; We couldn t have done this without them.
Now, let s talk about the real star of the show—Self-Expression. This edition s theme is all about owning your voice, your style, and every perfectly imperfect detail that makes you, well, you. In 2024, we re dialing up the volume on individuality, finding new ways to express ourselves, and bringing you articles that dig deep into what makes us unique.
So go ahead, lose yourself in these pages, and let this issue be your spark for the year to come. Trust us, this is just the beginning. We ll see you again soon with more stories, more style, and more you.
XOXO,
Martin Javor, Editor-in-Chief, and Lili Solti, Vice Editor-in-Chief
CONT
01. JIBSUNITED TEAM
02. JSA BOARD
03. How Extracurricular Activities Help you be Yourself
04. We Can Always Tell how Someone is Doing by What They are Reading
05. Decisions That Shape Us: FOMO, Time Pressure, and the Butterfly Effect in Student Life
06. Stitching Souls: The Mending Project
07. Echoes of the Unspoken
08. Beneath one Sky Uniting cultures at Jönköping University
09. Interview with Vlada: A Journey of Passion and Balance
"Through self-expression, we honor the light and shadow within us, weaving every strand of our story into the fabric of the world." – Brené Brown
"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. When you express yourself fully, you liberate others to do the same." – Carl Jung
ENTS
Martin Javor
Editor-inChief
Lili Solti
Vice project manager
Shahla Ishak
Graphic designer
Hanruo Gong
Marketer
Do Thu An
Marketer
Witty San Marketer
Elena Yaneva
Graphic designer
TEAM
Isadora Restiffe
Writer
Ksenia Biela
Writer
Bensu Muftu
Writer
Sadie Martins
Proofreader
Viktória Szucs
Podcaster
Alessandra Pintado
Proofreader
Lilyana Hristova
Podcaster
Dace Vigule
Proofreader
jSA
“Curiosity killed the cat, but luckily it had 8 more lives”
Margit Mijatovic
“Life is a party”
Lucas Enander
“Always do your more than that”
Natalie Hamrikova Vice President/ Head of Education
“What you aren’t changing, you’re choosing”
Tobias Wahlmer Head of Internal
“Don’t wait, do what you can out of what you have and you will see that’s often enough for great progress.”
Lebawit Y. Berhie Administration
“Don't be afraid of being seen trying”
BOARD
Emilia Larsson Head of Social
“Work hard, play hard”
Head of External
“Work hard, play hard”
Matilda Odegaard Head of Marketing
“Always stay optimistic, the worst thing that could happen is that you were happy for nothing”
We all know that going to university means studying and partying hard, however there are plenty of other ways that you can discover yourself at uni, such as by joining a school project.
Belonging is the most natural and primitive instinct of humankind. Being part of something is as important as air to everyone. But people also crave enjoyment and fun, so hobbies are here for it. They not only distract you but also make you feel good about yourself and give you an outlet for self-expression.
With those two being extremely important and powerful for anyone, participating in extracurricular activities is the perfect way to be both included and do what you are good at!
The skills you already have will improve, and the ones you don’t have will develop. Being a part of something is much more than a “good thing to put on your resume”, but a way of learning teamwork, leadership and empathy!
For those who like sports, joining the gym or any university sports team is a way. For others the thing is entrepreneurship, so they join Entrepreneurship Academy. If you are into fashion, Spring Inspiration is for you. Whatever your interest is, JIBS has a place for you to glow.
Being part of something helps you figure out what you love to do and what you dislike - to be able to leave something and speak your truth and your opinion for things to get better is self-expression.
How Extracurricular Activities Help you be Yourself
Written by Isadora Restiffe
Learning how to work as a team and to see yourself as a team not for a school project, but something bigger and that you are aspiring for.
Other than discovering your passion and a place at university, extracurricular activities are places where you can make long term friendships with people who already share the same interest in something as you! Sometimes at classes, one can have a tough time making friends since sometimes people who you were grouped with do not have anything alike with you. So joining a project is a great way of meeting new people!
Moreover, a project that you can affirm yourself will help you build your confidence in many ways! Having people you can rely on, as well as personal responsibilities to fulfill, taking on responsibility for yourself and others, makes you a more mature and confident person - a new era for yourself.
An extracurricular activity goes far beyond entertainment or filling up a schedule. They are about being part of something bigger – that impacts lives. Learning what you love and becoming a person full of joy and personality.
We Can Always Someone is They are
Written by Isadora Restiffe
Whether you are a reader or not, books have always been around us and defined our experiences. They display our state of mind and feelings and can say a lot more about us.
Tell how Doing by What Reading
If you choose to protect your peace and know nothing about bookish terms and idioms, a “mood reader” is someone who picks their next read based on what they are feeling at the moment. For example, if they want to feel cozy and heartwarmed, they might pick Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, but if they want to question their existence and meaning of life they might turn to The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
Although there are people who actually live by these terminologies, you do not have to be a so-called “mood reader” to read based on your mood. Actually, you may not even realize that your emotions reflect on the book you choose from your bookshelf. Or even more subjectively, you might not notice that the book you pull from your endless TBR list will compound your mood for the next few days. Reading is a powerful form of self-expression. “You can always tell what someone is thinking by what they're reading”, once said Tori Spring from Solitaire by Alice Oseman. A book you read or are reading is defined in the form that you act, feel and react to certain situations. Or how you view life and make decisions.
Who has never had a book that changed their life to the point where they wouldn’t be where they are today without it?
Books are a way of affirming identity and not being ashamed of showing who you are or want to be and what you like. Reading is powerful in so many ways. You can tell a lot about a person who decided to read a book about a certain kind of politics and about someone who is reading Colleen Hoover, for example.
Most importantly, the avoidance of stereotypes by judging someone by what they are reading. If you do not judge a book by its cover, why would you judge a person? It is important to spare feelings from personality. Maybe someone is reading the worst book ever written in mankind, but they are doing it to create their own opinion of the book - as a reader, I do not accept any criticism for a book that you have never read.
Books are not only a way of selfexpression because they can change your mind. It is a way to learn and name your thoughts and improve as a person. Lastly, if you do not like reading, choose a book that you believe reflects your life at the moment. Books are political and a form of assuring identity. Reading is not simply seeing words, but absorbing them for yourself in order to grow.
Studentshavemultipledailytasks,suchas attendingclasses,completingassignments, meetingwiththeirgroupsforprojects,andstudying fortheirupcomingexams.Whiledoingall universitywork,theyhavetosocializetomaintain theirsociallife;manystudentsfeeltheresimply aren’tenoughhoursintheday.Also,theyhaveto maintaintheirsanitybytakingtimeforthemselves anddoingsomethingtheylove.Thisleads studentstomultitask.Theirsleepingschedule? Studentssurvivethedaywithmultiplecupsof coffee.Studentshavedifferentcoping mechanismstoescapethereality.Somemightlie inbed,endlesslyscrollingonsocialmedia.Others headtothegymorrununtiltheirmindsgoblank. Somepartyanddrinkuntiltheyforgettheirworries. Peoplesometimesneedtoescapetheirreality. VirginiaWoolfsaid,‘Shecouldbeherself,by herself.’Everyoneneedstheiralonetime;without it,youcanfeellikeyouaredrowning.AsIhave seenandexperienced,youmustsacrificeone thingforanother.Studentsneedtoknow themselvestoprioritizetheirneedsandactions. Timeisthemostpreciousthingweown.You can’tgetitback.Studentsshouldn’tjumpatevery opportunitythinkingitcouldbe‘theone.’Itcan blindthemandmakethemfeelliketheyareburning out.Butbeneathitall,there’sanevendeeper anxietyinthesensethateventhesmallest decisionscanhavemajorconsequences.
Theheartofuniversitylifeismeaningfulsocial experiencesandlifelongfriendships.Students aresurroundedbyaworldofopportunitiesto connectwithothersandbuildlastingmemories. Parties,universityevents,andcityeventscan overwhelmstudentswithhowsocialandfunthe eventsareuntiltheirresponsibilitiescatchup.To completetheresponsibilities,studentsmight misssomeevents,leadingtoFearOfMissing Out(FOMO).Thisphenomenonhasbecome commoninuniversitylife.Socialmediais popularamongeveryuniversitystudent. Imagineyou'reworkingonanassignmentat night,butthenyouseeanInstagramstoryof yourfriendshavingfunataparty.Howwouldyou feel?Didyoumissoutonthe‘bestpartynight’? Forastudent,FOMOcanmanifestinseveral ways.Itmightpushsomeonetoattendthatlatenightpartydespiteloomingdeadlinesorcompel themtojoineveryclubandsocialgatheringout offearthatsaying“no”mightleadtomissingan experienceeveryoneelsewillremember.The problemariseswhenFOMOinterfereswith balance.Studentsmightsacrificeself-care, downtime,orevenacademicstokeepupwith theirpeers.Theresult?Acycleofexhaustion, stress,and,paradoxically,anevengreatersense ofmissingoutnotjustonsocialeventsbuton personalgrowthandacademicsuccess.
Enterthebutterflyeffect.Thetheoryisthatatiny changecanresultinsignificantdifferencesinlife. Theideaisthateventheflutterofabutterflycan causeatornadoontheothersideoftheworld.It's areminderthateverysmallactioncanleadto biggerchanges.Forstudents,theweightofthis theorycanbeoverwhelming.Thechoicesthey maketoday-choosingamajor,skippingaclass, acceptinganinternship-feelliketheyhavethe potentialtoalterthecourseoftheirentirefuture. Everythingyouchoosetodoshapesapathfor yourfuture.Ifyouwanttounderstandthis conceptbetter,thereisamoviecalled‘The ButterflyEffect,’butpersonally,Iwould recommend‘LifeIsStrange,’avideogame.Inthe game,theplayerhastomakechoices,andwhen youractionsaffectthefuture,theunforgettable lineshows:'Thisactionwillhaveconsequences.’ Thinkingaboutthebutterflyeffectwhenmaking choicesinlifemightbefrustrating,butintheend, everyonewantsthebestforthemselves. Moreover,Ithinkthebutterflyeffectcanhelp studentsmakebetterdecisionsintheiruniversity lives.Besidescausingstress,studentscanbe moreawarethatonechoicecanhavebig consequencesandprioritizetheirtasks dependingonhowtheywanttheirlivestobe.
Asstudentsnavigatetheiracademicand sociallives,theseforcesundeniablyshape theirmentalandemotionalwell-being. Yet awarenessisthefirststeptowardbalance. Byrecognizingthesepressures,students canprioritizewhattrulymatterstothem ratherthantryingtokeepupwitheveryone else.Theycanlearntoacceptthatwhile somedecisionsareimportant,notevery choiceislife-altering.Mostimportantly, theycanmakepeacewiththefactthat missingoutononeeventoropportunity doesn’tmeanmissingoutonlifeitself. Ultimately,thestudentexperienceisabout findingthatdelicatebalance,embracing thepresentwithoutfearingthefuture, managingtimewithoutsuccumbingto stress,andparticipatinginlifewithout constantlylookingoverone’sshoulder.It’s ajourneyofgrowth,andlikethebutterfly, it’sthesmall,everydaymomentsthathelp shapewhowebecome.
Decisions That Shape Us: FOMO, Time Pressure, and the Butterfly Effect in Student Life
Written by Bensu Muftu
Have you ever felt like there s never enough time to get everything done? Or perhaps the fear of missing out looms over you? These feelings can weigh heavily, affecting your mood and your outlook on life. Whether it leaves you feeling sad, anxious, or even frustrated, the lack of time and fear of missing out are challenges many students at JIBS face. You are not alone. In this writing, I will explore how lack of time, fear of missing out, and the ‘butterfly effect influence the lives of JIBS students.
STITCHINGSOULS: THEMENDING PROJECT
BeiliLiu(Chinese:刘北立),bornin1974,isaChineseborn,US-basedvisualartist.Herinstallationsand performancesaddressthemesofmigration,cultural memory,labor,andsocialandenvironmentalconcerns.
WhatisTheMendingProject?
TheMendingProjectfeatures1,500pairsofChineseiron scissorshangingfromtheceiling,withthesharpsidespointing downwards,formingamenacingdarkcloud.Beneaththis unsettlingdisplay,awomansitsquietlyandperformsan ongoingtaskofmending.Whenviewersenterthegalleryspace, theyareaskedtocutasmallpieceoffabricandpassitontothe performer.Astheperformersews,thefabricaccumulatesonthe floor,texturedwithblackstitches,graduallyexpandinginsize
Likewise,TheMendingProjectalludestoloomingaggression anduncertainty,whicharebalancedandsoftenedbythesilent,
WrittenbyBensuMuftu
Expressing yourself isan form;humanscan dosoinmany ways. -BeiliLiu'sThe MendingProject performanceart. art
Evenwithouttheperformer,thesceneholds significance.Thesewingstation,consistingof atable,chair,needle,andthread,standsasa symbolofpotentialfutureactions.Thisproject tookplaceattheWomen&TheirWorkGallery inAustin,TX,fromMarch3toApril2,2011.
BeiliLiuTalksAboutTheMendingProejct
Whenshetalksabouttheproject,BeiliLiuexplainswhyshechosethe word'mending.'Shesays,"Ichosemendingbecauseitspeaksof healing,bringingsomethingsmallertogethertoformsomethinglarger, andmakingsomethingbetter.It'salmostlikemendingreferstohealing."
Atthesametime,BeiliLiualsoexpressesherbeliefthatweliveina societywhereuncertainty,concern,andfearareprevalent.Shethinks, "Sometimesthatfearisnotnecessarilyrelevant;wedon'tevenknow whatweareafraidof.So,inaway,thisprojectreallyspeaksofthat universalconcern."Shebelievesthatthevisitors'actions,touch,and energyaretransferredthroughthecuttingandpassingofthefabric, whichthenbecomesapartofthepiece.
Inherview,BeiliLiuthinksthatanywomancouldsitandsewtocounter threateningviolence."Whenwearefacingdifficultsituationsinthis
Written by Ksenia Biela
The human mind is like a garden filled with various ideas, emotions, and memories. Self-expression can be compared to a gardener’s hand that nurtures the land by cultivating the beauty within it. It holds a healing power that often releases unwanted emotions that are difficult to deal with. Meaning grief, anger, and fear that were locked inside. While keeping them hidden might fix the issues for a moment, after a while, they can manifest themselves as depression or anxiety. Giving them a voice makes them lose their power over the individual. Whether through words, art, music, or movement, it offers a way to transform the intangible thoughts hidden deep inside into something one can see, hear, or touch.
Today’s world constantly seeks to define everyone. Putting societal expectations and cultural norms on people often makes them feel like their true identity is lost. Self-expression allows them to reclaim it. The words they write, the art they create, the clothes that they wear, the photos they take, all that tells the world, “This is me.” In a sense, through that, they shape themselves, that self-awareness is a necessary step for self-growth. It is how they evolve and differ from the person they were the day before.
While it is called self, meaning deeply personal, it plays a crucial role in forming relationships. The act of expression sends others an invitation to be seen and understood. With sharing something so intimate, there comes the hope that someone will emphasize it. That mutual understanding becomes a foundation for human connection.
Psychologically, self-expression is an essential force that shapes an individual's identity, relationships, and mental wellbeing. Spoken loud or whispered through art, the echoes of the unspoken lead us closer to understanding ourselves and others. It is through them that we reveal our true selves.
of the Unspoken Echoes
Beneath Sky one
WrittenbyKseniaBiela
JönköpingUniversityisknownfor creatingawelcomingspace, attractingcountlessstudents fromdiversebackgrounds. BusinessSchoolstandsoutfrom therestbecauseofthevarious Englishdegreechoices.With that,moreandmoreforeigners jointhecommunityeveryyear.In thismeltingpotofperspectives,a questionarises;“Howdo individualschoosetoexpress theirculturewhiletryingto navigatetheirnewlifeina differentenvironment?”. Whilethisjourneyisuniquefor everyone,manyfindthe connectionthroughtheartoffood andstorytelling.
Foodisapowerful,perhapsthe mostpowerfulculturalsymbol known.Forthoselivingoutsideof theircountry,traditionaldishes becomealivingmemoryofwhere theycamefrom.Theactof cookingandsharingfoodcanbe comparedtoaritualof remembrance,keepingthe heritagealive.Inaworldfullof unknown,formanyfoodbecomes alanguagewithoutwords.The smelloffamiliarspices,theflavor ofhome,eachmealisatime machinethatgivesthe opportunitytorelivethemoments spentwithlovedones.
Unitingculture
Storytelling is the thread that connects us. It allows individuals to share their identity while helping others understand how they see the world and define their values. It does not mean living in the past. Both old and new stories become part of one's life’s journey. Each student becomes a living vessel of their culture’s heritage, offering pieces of themselves to those willing to listen. Storytelling weaves a bond, even among those that come from distant lands. Despite that, friends made in Sweden may be unfamiliar with their traditions, but they can find the connection through the emotions that all humans go through.
Ultimately, all the ways of expression serve the same purpose: uniting. By providing a safe space to express oneself freely, Jönköping University allows the students to understand that despite coming from various backgrounds, we are all connected under the same sky.
cultures at JU
Vladaisasecond-yearstudentatJönköping InternationalBusinessSchool(JIBS)anda talentednailartistwithauniqueapproachto balancingstudies,asidebusiness,and personalpassions.Wesatdownwithherto learnmoreabouthowshemanagesitalland wherehercreativedrivecomesfrom.
Q:Canyoutellusa bitaboutyourstudiesatJIBS?
I’mcurrentlystudyingSustainableEnterprise Development(SED)atJIBS.It’sbeena rewardingexperience,andI’mreallypassionate aboutcreatingbusinessesthatareboth profitableandenvironmentallyresponsible.
Nailartismywayof expressingcreativity.When clientsaskforuniquedesigns, Ihavetheopportunityto createsomethingpersonal andartisticforthem.It'safun andfulfillingwaytoshowcase mycreativity.Plus,while doingnails,Igettointeract withmyclients,whichis anotherwayIexpressmyself. Weexchangeenergy,andI lovehearingtheirinteresting storiesandexperiences.
Q:Whendidyoustartdoingnails? throughyournailart?Q:Howdoyouexpressyourself
Ibegandoingnailsabouta yearago.Itstartedasa hobby,butsoonitturned intosomething Ireallyenjoyedandwanted topursuefurther.
Q: Balancing studies, social life, and a side business must be challenging. How do you manage it all?
It was definitely tricky at first, but I’ve learned the importance of time management.
Scheduling is key. I make sure to plan my week carefully so that I can focus on my studies, run my nail business, and still have time for social activities. It’s all about finding that balance.
I have a strong passion for dance. I try to attend as many dance classes as I can to express myself through movement. Additionally, I’m a digital ambassador for the university, which means I create and edit videos. It’s a creative outlet I really enjoy, and I love sharing content that represents the student life here.
Q: Besides doing nails, what other passions do you have?
A journey of passion and Balance
Music plays a huge role in creating a relaxed atmosphere for my clients. It helps them unwind and feel comfortable during their appointment. Plus, I get a lot of compliments on my music taste, so it’s always a nice bonus. It’s a simple way to make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone.
Q: You ’ ve mentioned playing music while doing nails. How does that contribute to the experience?
Self-Acceptance and Positive Body Image
Key to Health and Inner Contentment
In today’s world, where social media and advertisements constantly confront us with ideals of perfect appearance, accepting your body as it is and developing a healthy relationship with yourself can be challenging. A holistic approach to health and beauty teaches us that it’s not just about the body itself but also about our internal attitude and balance. The brand Skeeneffect supports this philosophy, offering not only products to improve the appearance of the skin but also encouraging us to feel good in our skin and value our natural selves.
Self-AcceptanceisaJourney, NotaDestination
Self-acceptanceisaprocesswherewe embraceourbodiesastheyareandstop focusingontheirimperfections.This mindsetallowsustofindinnerpeaceand focusonwhatourbodiescandoandhow theysupportusineverydaylife.By learningtobegratefulforourbodiesand everythingtheydoforus,weopenthe doortogreaterbalanceandsatisfaction. However,thepathtoself-acceptanceisn’t alwayseasy.Weliveinaculturethat constantlypromotesbeautytandards, makingitcrucialtolearnhowto distinguishbetweenunrealisticmedia imagesandgenuinebeauty.Truebeauty stemsfromauthenticityandself-confidence, notperfection.Learningthisdistinctionisan importantsteptowardapositiverelationship withoneself.
PositiveBodyImage:More ThanJustAppearance
Apositivebodyimageisn’tjustabouthowwe lookbutalsoabouthowwefeelin ourskinandperceiveourworth.Whenwe appreciateourbodiesnotjustfortheir appearancebutalsoforthehealthand functionalitytheyprovide,westopfixating onvisualaspects.Thisapproachhelpsus seebeautyininnerstrengthandvitality. Positivebodyimagedoesn’tmeanbeing completelysatisfiedwithyourselfallthe time;it’saboutmanagingunpleasantfeelings inahealthyway.Stepslikefollowing positiverolemodelsonsocialmedia, focusingonhealthinsteadofweight,or practicingaffirmationstoreplacenegative thoughtsaboutourselvescanhelpon thisjourney.Takingcareofbothbodyand mindisanintegralpartofselfacceptance, soweshouldallowourselvestimefor relaxationandregeneration.
Skeeneffect:AnAllyfor
Toassistinself-acceptanceandhealthy skin,thebrandSkeeneffectoffersunique productsthatsupportnaturalbeautyand health.Theirproductsfeatureinnovative bio-activemoleculesandnatural extractsthatprovidenourishmentboth insideandout.Thisapproach,knownas “innerbeauty,”stemsfromthe philosophythattruebeautycomesnot onlyfromexternalcarebutalsofrom propernutrition.Skeeneffect’srange, includingSkeeneffectYoungAge, SkeeneffectAgeMiracle,Skeeneffect Ageless,andSkeeneffectSUNBears, addressesdifferentneedsacross variouslifestages.Theseproducts promoteinnerharmonyandvitality, enhancingoverallskinappearance. Theytackleissueslikeacneinyouthor agingrelatedconcernssuchasreduced skinelasticityandagespotsinmaturity. Thankstoscientificallyprovenbenefits likeimprovedskinconditionand symptomrelief,Skeeneffecthelps peoplefeelgoodintheirskinandfosters apositiverelationshipwiththeirbodies.
TrueBeautyComesfromWithin
Self-acceptanceandapositivebodyimageare long-termprocessesrequiring patience,love,anddetermination.Skeeneffect supportsusonthisjourney,offering productsthatenhancenaturalbeautyand health.It’snotjustaboutmasking imperfectionsbuttrulycontributingtoour healthandvitality.Ourgoalshouldn’tbe perfectionbutlearningtoacceptourselvesas weare—unique,beautiful,andwith ahealthyrelationshipwithourbodies. Supportingself-acceptanceisavitalstep towardphysicalandmentalhealth.Bekindto yourself,acceptwhoyouare,and rememberthattruebeautycomesfromwithin.
