JIBS United Summer Edition 2019

Summer Issue 2019

JIBS UNITED MAGAZINE

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Nu söker vi nya talanger till samtliga av våra avdelningar inför hösten 2020.

Vi rekryterar löpande till Audit & Assurance, Business Process Solutions, Tax, Risk Advisory, Consulting och Financial Advisory. Läs mer och ansök på www.deloitte.se/ledigajobb

What Impact Will You Make?

En dag på KPMG Hos KPMG ligger möjligheterna öppna för dig som vill utvecklas och göra en karriär utöver den vanliga.

Vi erbjuder ett utmanade arbetsklimat med högt tempo och stort eget ansvar för den som kan och vill. Det kommer att ge dig nya kunskaper, öppna oväntade dörrar och ge dig betydande möjligheter. Hos oss kan du räkna med att arbeta internationellt redan på hemmaplan och det finns goda möjligheter till att jobba utomlands.

Vi satsar helhjärtat på din personliga utveckling och vårt mål är att vara en spännande arbetsplats där du mår bra och har roligt.

Läs mer på kpmg.se

© 2018 KPMG AB, a Swedish limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

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© 2018 Ernst & Young AB. All Rights Reserved. A18018se

Ta första steget i din karriär!

Vi finns på 50 orter i Sverige och söker ständigt nya medarbetare till alla våra affärsområden.

Läs mer och ansök på ey.com/se/student

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a b b o j ill du

V

s e g i r e v S d e m

? r e r ö n trepre

en

Jobba med entreprenörer och utmanas varje dag.

Vill du bidra till ett välmående näringsliv och samtidigt utvecklas i snabb takt?

Hos oss arbetar du med entreprenörsföretag, vilket innebär stort eget ansvar och ständigt nya frågeställningar. Välkommen till en utvecklande och utmanande vardag.

grantthornton.se/karriar

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Table of contents

meet the team A few words from the president of jsa Letter from the Dean asking the jsa board members hangout and food spots in campus Around the world in 2 years: Experiences in a multicultural environment Exploring and joining new activities in JÖnkÖping University: a key for integration!

Coffee Break with Michaela Norrman Discover JÖnkÖping's surroundings events you don't want to miss On Studying in Sweden and being a Digital Ambassador my swedish story

... 8 ... 10 ... 12 ... 14 ... 16 ... 20 ... 22 ... 28 ... 30 ... 34 ... 36 ... 38

IF YOU HAVE GRADUATED FORM JIBS, FINISHED 2/3 OF YOUR PROGRAM, OR HAVE COM E TO JIBS AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT, YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN ALUMNI NETWORK.

WWW.JIBSALUMNI.COM

YOU WILL BE CONNECTED TO MORE THAT 5000 JIBSERS AROUND THE GLOBE, RECEIVE JIBS UNITED MAGAZINE AND ALUMNI NEWSLETTER, BE INVITED TO ALUMNI EVENTS, HAVE ACCESS TO JOB OFFERS AND STORIES OF THE BIG FAMILY OF JIBSERS!

Managing Team

Qianyi Project Manager

Beata Writer

Design Team

Julian Managing Director

Katharina Writer

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Christian Writer

Siddhi Writer

Writing Team

Yihan Graphic Designer

Daniela Graphic Designer

Tonja Graphic Designer

IT Team Marketing Team

Rita Blogger Mareike Marketer

Proofreading Team

Viraj Blogger

Vendela Marketer

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Julia Proofreader

Ioan Podcast Manager

Estha Marketer Alex Proofreader

Annie Marketer Nadine Proofreader

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A few words from the president of JSA Lena Hussman

Since I am right at the beginning of my presidency for JSA, I think introductions might be in order. Four years ago, I started the Civilekonom-programme at JIBS, from which I just graduated this summer. During my years of studies, I have continuously found myself in situations which I would have never expected to happen when I first started here.

Even though my goals from the beginning were only to relax as much as possible, do all my courses, and graduate in time, I ended up exploring every opportunity which I was given, and it has led me on an unexpected, but exciting path.

And isn’t that what university is all about? Exploring yourself and what your future might hold for you.

Many of you will have had to move and leave most of what you know behind. You have to find new friends, learn new things, explore new surroundings. So why not make the best of it?

Learn as much about these new surroundings as possible, find out where your favourite study space is, who sells the

best coffee on campus, and where in the city you most enjoy to relax. But most of all, I urge you to learn more about yourself and what you are capable of doing.

Seize the opportunity that university provides and engage in new and unexpected things. Take that course that sounds interesting, plan an event, be a part of that fun project, or why not start a whole new project? JSA offers various ways in which you can get involved, and we are always open to new initiatives. So, take those chances, get involved, and who knows, maybe you’ll be surprised at what unexpected potential lies within you.

Because, what better time is there if not now?

Learning from my own experiences, I will leave you with this: Whether you are a new student, or already in the midst of your professional career, I encourage you to walk through life with open eyes and explore every opportunity that presents itself – you never know at what exciting places you might end up.

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Letter from the Dean

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Research and education are about expanding horizons and gaining new insights and experiences. At JIBS we encourage our students to maintain curiosity and continue to learn also beyond their years at this university. Our ambition is to serve as a hub for life-long learning, both as a provider of education and as a resource to which you can return after entering work life. This is one reason why we put efforts into staying in touch with you after your graduation; we want to keep you informed about our

development and what we can offer throughout your career, and we want to follow you on your journey through life.

Our programmes, courses and extra curricular activities allow you to explore your interests and discover more about yourself. But campus life can offer much more opportunities than those we organize under the umbrella of the school. In fact, some of the most exciting opportunities for personal and professional development are organized

by JIBS student association JSA and the student union at Jönköping University. In recent years we have seen a number of new initiatives, led by entrepreneurial students with very high ambitions. When exploring such opportunities, I encourage you to look a bit beyond what you initially think you want, and to aim a bit beyond what you actually think you can manage. If you challenge yourself, you will learn much more than if you stay in your comfort zone.

During summer, when course work slows down a bit, is a good time to reflect upon your achievements and explore

what will be your next challenge. Jönköping University and the city of Jönköping offers a wide range of opportunities, within academic studies as well as within sports, culture, nature and entertainment. Take the chance to explore what is out there, seize those opportunities, gain new insights and experiences.

However, exploring also includes contemplation.

So before rushing further, also allow yourself to relax for a moment, spend time with friends and family, and return to campus after summer break with new energy and inspiration. When you look back at your time at university, it might very well be those phases in between the most intense work periods that will appear as your most formative moments.

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asking the JSA Board members...

What's your advice for new students at JU?

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Vice President - Head of Edcuation: New students should absolutely participate in everything they are interested in.

Life is short, go for it! Being a part of the JSA is honestly the best! You build connections and friendships that will last forever! The best event to participate in is hands down the kick-off. Even though it only last 10 days, but they are the best 10 days ever! In case they could not attend the kick-off then sittnings and going to Aka are some of the best ways for students to spend their Wednesday nights!

Treasurer: One thing I believe every student coming to Jรถnkรถping should experience is a hockey game in Kinnarps Arena with HV71 playing. The best event I have attended in Jรถnkรถping is a playoff game in Kinnarps arena as the energy in the building was so unbelievable.

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Head of External: I really want to encourage everyone to make the most out of the experience that studying at university really is! At this school, we have people from all over the world, tons of fun projects to join and many happenings, like my favorite for an example - The Kick-Off Festival!

Head of Internal: My best advice would be to engage in one of the different projects and to attend different events, you learn so much and meet a lot of new friends as well. The best one that I attended so far was probably Sexkreation's Netflix and Chill sitting, it’s so fun to see your friends up on stage dancing and performing!

o

Head of Administration: I would suggest for all incoming students to get involved early and in everything you can to get the best experience, and because you can make great friends and connections that you can benefit from, both in your personal and work life. The best event I attended was definitely the whole kick-off and I wouldn’t want to miss a day of it!

Head of International: Get involved! There are so many opportunities awaiting you after the kick off, so keep your eyes peeled and ears open. My favorite event that I’ve been to so far has been the Valborg festival at Hälsoparken. And the pub crawl during the kick off is a close second!

15 Head of Social: My suggestion to all the new incoming students at Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) is to be prepared for one of my favourite events through out the year; the Kick-Off. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know people, the university and the city. Skip the fancy clothes and shiny shoes as we will be jumping straight to the activities (after the lectures)!

Head of Marketing: Prioritize your studies, but also get involved in projects and activities. JIBS has so much to offer!

My favorite events would be the kick off and being a part of the Spring Inspiration model team.

Hangout and food spots on campus

By Katharina Henschel

Rio Student’s House Rio is probably one of the most versatile places on campus. During the day you find many students working in groups on their projects or studying alone while sipping some coffee. However, at night Rio often turns into a chilled pub with lots of events going on. To mention some: there is Taco night once a month, Pitch Night took place there, student associations like SSA or SHOWTIME host events or jam sessions during the weekend or lunch breaks or public viewing of the Eurovision Song Contest happened to be in Rio, too. Rio’s offer includes different sandwiches and a lunch menu that changes weekly (they have a vegan option). Many students buy their coffee there and you can get a special deal for coffee/tea + Fika piece. Of course, in addition to what I mentioned before, Rio also sells energy bars and cold drinks.

Monday - Thursday 7:30 – 16:30 Friday 7:30 – 15:00

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TAste of beirut JIBS The restaurant at JIBS offer a variety of lunch options like burgers or falafel.

Still, they make changes on their menu on a regular basis, so you have some variety there too. Furthermore, Taste of Beirut has a big salad bar where you can mix your own salad, sells sandwiches, sweets, coffee and soft as well as energy drinks.

Monday - Friday 7:30 – 16:00

Jubel JIBS Can you believe our university has its own student pub? Jubel is run by students and opens its doors on Wednesdays only. Perfect to grab a beer or a cider together with some friends to celebrate to middle of the week or get your crew in the mood to head to Aka later at night.

Wednesday 16:00 – 20:00

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Arken HLK The restaurant at HLK has great lunch options that change often, but also sells snacks like the typical Swedish chokladboller. They also have a great variety of sandwiches – my absolute favorite is their Hummus sandwich because it’s a great value for money in a Swedish context I’d say! I’ve heard their vegan cheese sandwich is delicious as well. In addition, you also get some protein bars, cold and hot drinks.

Monday - Thursday 7:30 – 17:00 Friday 7:30 – 15:00 Lunch is served between 11:00 – 14:00

Sydney Hälsö Sydney is a mix of Arken and Rio, I would say. Since it is located in Hälsö you might not be there that often as a JIBSer... Anyways, they offer lunch (also a vegan option) as well as some hot beverages like coffee or tea, some Fika goods as well as other small snacks and sandwiches.

Monday - Thursday 7.30 – 16.00 Friday 7.30 – 15.30

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Dalucci University Library Maybe the most delicate and expensive place on campus. Italian style and slightly better quality in coffee than other places on campus. They also offer most fancy hot drinks like Beetroot, Matcha or Chai Latte. Food-wise Dalucci offers paninis, wraps and some other small snacks, a bunch of protein and raw bars and some more brain food.

Monday-Friday between 08:00 – 16:00

One of the perks of studying at Swedish universities has to be the multicultural atmosphere in classrooms and on campus.

Up until the point of completing primary school, you probably have been exposed to the bare minimum level of cultural diversity, as you often find yourself surrounded by people who have either grown up with you, or in the same town as you.

When you study at University, especially abroad, you are put into a dynamic and diverse environment where you happen to meet people from different countries and even continents. This, even if socially paralyzing to some at first, can be a very enriching and immersive experience that you carry for the rest of your life.

Around the world in 2 years: Experiences in a multicultural environment

By Siddhi Salvekar

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I have come to Sweden from India, which is approximately 6000 kilometres away from here, and millions of kilometres farther from the culture that I have been exposed to in Europe. The weather here itself is scary enough to adjust to at the start, but I still remember the first day of class in the first semester here. After the round of introductions, I realized that I was going to be spending the next two years with people from all over the world, who have had entirely different journeys than mine, but who will be sharing this one with me. And I could not have been more excited.

Given the special emphasis that universities place on group work here, I learned about the different work ethics of everyone here.

I not only learned about their countries, or about the food they eat, but also about their perspectives about life and academia.

I learned about what living in big cities in China is like, and also about what living in a village in Czech Republic is like. I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I was sharing the struggle to navigate through life in Sweden with 25 others. I was exposed to a variety of different cultures, and the quirks that accompany every culture.

Nithin, a JIBS student who is studying in a master’s programme in Economic Analysis, says that the biggest takeaway from studying in

We don't just study abroad and make Swedish friends, but we get to meet and be friends with amazing people from all over the world as well 21

such an international environment is learning small, different things from his multicultural classmates and friends. He is a language freak, and loves to learn multiple languages and be able to communicate with people speaking different languages; what better platform than a program in a foreign university? (which is known for its internationalization) Nithin also mentions that over the years, the more the people migrate and learn about different ways of thinking and living, the better their brains get; since the brain is constantly exercising when one is forced to think and speak in different languages and perspectives.

He states the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, a linguistic idea that a person with knowledge of or growing knowledge of multiple languages have a sharpened thought process and an enhanced vision of the world around them; like removing the mask from a horse so it can see that the race track is not the only place the horse run in, and it can wander anywhere it wants to.

Nithin believes that being in Sweden is a prime opportunity in this aspect. He describes that the influx of international students has helped various students including himself to explore ideas, both academically and in other ways. He also believes that one can never know who might turn out being their closest friend at the end of the year. He values making friendships with everyone and can expand his cultural perspective in this way too.

These friends that he has met are also in his degree course, and he look forward to keeping these friendships even after his time at university!

It is all a part of this phenomenal experience!

We don’t just study abroad and make Swedish friends, but we get to meet and be friends with amazing people from all over the world as well!

By Siddhi Salvekar

Exploring joining ne ities in Jo University for integ 22

g and ew activonkoping y: a key gration!

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by Rita Stefanuto

Being a student in a foreign country is not always easy, especially when you do not speak the language of your host University and while living on a student budget. As you embark on your adventure to pursue your studies in a different country, you not only have to deal with new systems and different mentalities, but you may also want to meet students from different countries, backgrounds and cultures and make new friends. We talked to Maggie Hovhanessian the Integration Coordinator at Jönköping Student Union and the president of the Integration and Activity Committee (IAC), to better understand what opportunities Jönköping Student Union (JSU) provides to help students have an easier integration and transition process in their studies and social activities in the university. Their goal is to give all students the feeling of being apart of the Jönköping University community.

The IAC committee has been created with the ultimate objective of bringing Swedish and international students together and facilitating the integration process. The IAC members work hard in order to organize a number of events that satisfy all students’ tastes and interests on campus -- some are for sportive students, some other for foodies, wanderlust students, movie lovers or students who want to learn more about foreign cultures. The best part of these events is that many of them are free of charge or have very low participation fees which means that they are really accessible to all students!

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Food Safari: FOOD SAFARI

the ideal activity for foodies

Cook a dish from your country

MAY 15th

Sign up

at Student Service April 24th - May 10th 10:00 -14:00

Ticket : 40 SEK includes a patch

Check Our Facebook Page For More Information

Food Safari takes place twice per term, each individual can sign up with the Student Union together with a cooking partner, IAC members will match up all the participating teams and each of them will be assigned a starter, main-dish or dessert to prepare. During Food Safari, students will meet up in different places all over town and have a delicious 3 course meal with different teams. It’s a unique opportunity to taste yummy food and get to meet, socialize and integrate with national and international students.

Culture day, buddy program, host family program & Language cafe: events that bring different cultures together

Culture Day takes place every Friday at HLK Lobby from 12 to 1. It is a unique occasion for presenting a different culture every week -- this is done through presentations, quizzes, games, traditional music and food. The event is free of charge and students are highly welcome to participate and present their country and traditions. If you would like to know more about culture days follow their facebook page or send an e-mail to IAC: international@js.ju.se The Buddy program helps new students integrate at Jönköping University. They can apply for the program on the Student Union’s website and will be matched with one student from the university, who will answer their questions and help them learn more about Jönköping’s student life even before their arrival to Sweden or Jönköping. This program offers the perfect solution for making the integration process of the international students with the new university smoother and allows Swedish and other full-time students to get in touch with international students.

If you are an international student who would like to learn more about the Swedish culture outside the university context, then the host family program might be a great fit for you.

IAC members will find a Swedish family who will help you better understand the local culture and make you feel at home even if you are on the other side of the world.

If you are interested in learning or teaching different languages there is also the possibility of joining the language café, a weekly event where student volunteers teach their native language to other students. You should definitely consider joining Language Café if you want to learn Swedish. This activity is free and you are guarenteed to have a good time, meet new Swedish and internationall friends, and brush up on your linguistic skills.

Adventure Race & Kayaking tour: to stay in shape and show off your tactical skills The Adventure Race took place last year for the first time and it was a real success! Students competing in the adventure race participate in a number of challenges all around the city, some of them included kayaking, climbing and mountain-biking, whereas some other required the use of logic or tactic.

Seen the positive result of last year’s competition, IAC team is already working on a new adventure race for this semester.

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The Kayaking tour takes place twice per semester. Students can paddle through lake Munksjön in Jönköping and the guide will talk about the history of Jönköping. This activity is also suitable for beginners.

Moose safari & other trips: these trips are a must-do for those students who love travelling and whatn to discover several countries

Moose Safari is a one-day activity that takes place once or twice per semester and brings students in close contact with moose, and have the chance to caress and feed them. This trip allows students not only to enjoy their time in a typical Swedish forest, but also to learn more about this famous Nordic animal. This trip is as Swedish as it gets!

The Student Union organizes several longer trips, for example: Halloween in Copenhagen, Norway including the visit of a glacier and fiords, Lapland during winter time, and a cruise to Russia. While talking to Maggie, it also emerged that there is a new trip coming up to Iceland! It is definitely a must-do trip if you want to see Icelandic landscapes, experience the northern lights, or relax in some hot water springs.

Have you not found the perfect event for you yet? Well, we recommend you to follow the Student Union page and there you can see all the activities that are coming up. Last year, for example, IAC also hosted a movie night, a Eurovision night (which will be organized again in Spring 2020), a ski trip, and a trip to Gothenburg. As Maggie emphasized in the interview, the IAC is constantly trying to develop new ideas for engaging and integrating national and international students and making their time at Jรถnkรถping University a valuable and unforgettable experience..

If you are a prospect student at JU, you should have received an e-mail from the Student Union that informs you about all the events coming up. Do you have some questions about what IAC does or the activities that are organized? You can find IAC members on the 23rd of August 2019 at campus arena or you can simply follow us on our social media pages to stay updated with all the events.

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Coffee Break with Michaela Norrman

By Viraj Thakur

The Coffee Break article is a chance to connect with and be inspired by alumni from JIBS. Here they share with us their experiences at university along with what they’ve been doing since graduating from our wonderful school and any advice they have for current students at JIBS. The subject of this issue’s Coffee Break article is JIBS alumnus Michaela Norrman, who made time in her busy schedule to chat with me and share some of her experiences in and outside of school. Michaela, who studied both her Bachelor’s and Master’s at JIBS, graduated in 2010 with a dual degree in Economics and Civilekonom. Although originally from Uppsala she spent much of her childhood outside of it, having grown up in Gotland.

When asked why she chose to do her studies here in Jönköping she said she always wanted a more international education. A friend of hers recommended Jönköping University due to its strong international focus and numerous English taught courses. She certainly got to experience much of the world during the three different exchange semesters she went abroad.

First to Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico then to Bocconi University, in Italy and finally back to Monterrey to finish her Bachelor’s thesis there.

While here Michaela was fortunate enough to have a varied group of friends from all over the world who she is still close with today, nearly ten years after graduating! They would go out and enjoy themselves on Wednesday and the weekends, much like many of us do now. Her avid interest in sailing led her to buy her own sailboat here during her first semester which she sailed out onto Lake Vättern during her free time.

When asked whether she was a part of any associations on campus she said was involved in Spring Inspiration however her academic mindset pushed her more towards internships and gaining real world work experience. To this end, she also became a research assistant for a number of years. While studying here one of her professors even hired her and a few of her fellow students to work in a small startup of his, which gave her the opportunity to both gain experience and travel to Paris for work!

Before she graduated Michaela was headhunted by Pernod Ricard, a prominent wine and spirits corporation, to fill a marketing related position. This exciting new opportunity was quite the surprise for her but she met this challenge head on. Even though marketing wasn’t her forte she recognised it as an opportunity to learn something new and to build upon the

foundations she received from JIBS. This was very different from what her initial plans were for after graduation. She had expected to work in a career closer to what her degree was in. Perhaps taking a job in a Swedish embassy in foreign affairs, who knows? However, she realised early on that life is very different from academia and that it had something else in store for her. Her entrepreneurial and energetic spirit drove her to move from one thing to another and she chose to be true to herself by letting it.

Today Michaela runs her own business together with her husband. They own and operate Hotel Slottsvillan right here in Jönköping, as she wanted to return to the city where it all began for her, the general feel and vibe of which she fell in love with. This project took her two years from idea to execution and she has been operating her hotel now for a year. When asked about the challenges faced with running your own business she had this to say, “It’s almost like having a child and teaching them how to walk and dress and behave. Hopefully it takes on a life of its own like a person”. She received much support from old professors, friends and family and of course she is with her husband through it all. “They were very supportive as it’s a scary thing(starting your own business) and you don’t know where life will take you.“ When asked if she had any advice for current students and aspiring entrepreneurs at JIBS, Michaela had this to say, “If you want to be an entrepreneur you need to look at life a little bit more holistic and learn new things; look at things from different angles.” She stressed the importance of the many different ways one can become an entrepreneur. That oftentimes what our initial plans were and where we eventually end up can be completely different.

“JIBS really taught me early on that academia and education is so much more than reading and knowledge.” When debating whether to do her PhD in economics her professor told her that doing a PhD is more than simple equations and math. That you’re a salesman selling your idea, your theory or project and most importantly, yourself. At that stage she realized even that part of academia is very entrepreneurial.

“I think it's important for people to remember that studies in general from school onwards are more than just books and the information you’re given. People can study from anywhere, they can read books to find necessary information, etc. Today you don’t even have to go to university to get an education. What's important with an education is to remember that the key to success are the people around you that

you have the opportunity to meet; who grow stronger with you. The people next to you that could potentially be your next business partner or the person in the next room who could be your manager at your next job. Life itself is a life lesson. It's important to remember not to get lost in just academia and books as that can be taken from anywhere while many other things can’t.”

Speaking with Michaela has been a great experience, her advice for current and future students at JIBS is extremely helpful and inspiring. It will undoubtedly help many of us going forward in our lives and careers. The importance she places on interpersonal relationships and networking in particular resonated with me and surely with many of you.

Thank You Michaela, from the JibsUnited team and all our fellow students.

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Discover Jonkoping's surroundings

The bad news is you might hear sentences like Jonkoping is small or Jonkoping is boring somewhat often. *yawn* The good news is: Thats actually not true, yay!

So, lets take a look at what you can explore in the surroundings of Jonkoping

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Granna Home to polkagris candy and cobblestone streets where plenty of candy manufacturers are lining up next to each other, making Gränna perfect to stroll around. Apart from candy shops, you can find chocolate and ice cream manufacturers. Sometimes during the summer, you can also eat IceRolls, instead of traditional ice cream. I can definitely recommend Gränna for a day on the weekend. There are many wooden houses, a museum, but also extremely charming fika spots like “Fiket”. From its harbor you can take the ferry to get to the biggest island in the middle of Lake Vättern: Visingsö – which leads us to the next point on the agenda…

Bus line 101 runs frequently to Gränna.

MORE INFO

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VisingsO

This small island offers a bit of everything. You can find beautiful nature, historic sites, arts and crafts, alpacas, cute architecture and plenty other things to discover! Especially in summer, renting a bike on this 14km long island is the perfect getaway to take your mind off school for a while. Pack a picnic if you like, bike around, discover new spots, enjoy the fresh breeze and maybe pet an alpaca? Sounds lovely? Then what are you waiting for? The only thing you need to do is to take the ferry from Gränna – easy! Neither taking the ferry nor renting a bike is expensive and therefore, I highly recommend you visit that lovely island.

Bus line 101 and get off in Gränna.

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Uppgrenna Naturhus Want to beam yourself to Northern Italy? No need for that, just go a little North of Gränna! What looks like a giant greenhouse is not only built for plants, but offers so much more: You can enjoy some recreational and relaxing activities, sip some coffee on their terrace with a splendid view on Lake Vättern, or just chill and have a good time with some friends!

MORE INFO

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Brahehus What was planned to be a castle dating back to the 17th century turned out to be a tourist spot just next to the highway. Despite the fact that ruins are all that is left from it, Brahehus is much appreciated for its small discovery tour en route. I think Brahehus is definitely worth a visit since the view from far above the shores of Lake Vättern is simply breathtaking. If the weather is good, you can see far in any direction, and if the weather is bad the atmosphere becomes excitingly mystic.

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ROttle by

MORE INFO

This small village close to Gränna is super charming with many of the iconic red houses that are typical for Sweden. It has a small ‘marina’, but the best thing is probably its waterfall and the mill dating back to the 17th century. Visiting this site makes you feel like time stands still for a while. One of my favorite places in the surroundings and a must-do for everyone living here or coming for a visit!

Bus line 101 towards Gränna and get off at Röttlevägen, walk down the hill (even though it takes a while I think it is absolutely worth it).

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Dumme Mosse I think “Sweden’s last wilderness” is my go-to destination outside of Jönköping! It is a beautiful, huge natural reserve with endless hiking options through forests and swamps. The choice of many different trails makes hiking delightful and so does the diverse nature you can experience. It is wheelchair accessible and you can find many barbecue spots around there. It is worth a visit all year round – hiking from spring until autumn, skiing in winter. But note: mushroom and berry picking is strictly forbidden!

Bus line 27 towards Jönköping airport and get off at either MeteorologvägenFlygplatsen..

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John Bauer Trail (John Bauer leden) Starting in Huskvarna and going all the way to Gränna, this approximately 50km long hiking path offers some nice views along the way. It might be good to know that you do not necessarily walk 50km. You can walk parts of it, for example 6km. This trail takes you along old houses, magnificent views and historic sites. It is perfect to take your mind off from all the stress that you might have at university and enjoy the beautiful nature that the surroundings of Jönköping have to offer. The trail is marked by orange posts, so make sure you don’t get lost!

Many bus lines run to Huskvarna.

MORE INFO

See, there are many things to discover around here! But of course, this was only a small selection. If you are looking for more inspiration, then check out the webpage of Jonkopings tourism office. They provide most advice in English as well: jkpg.com/en/

By Katharina Henschel

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Events you Don’t want to miss

by Beata Edlund

Jönköping University is more than just going to school, it’s its own community consisting of students who do whatever it takes to make their and other students’ time here the very best it can be.

The university’s new and old students can attend several different events and fun things to do around the school, and some of which you really don’t want to miss out on.

The Kick Off at the end of August is just the start of various different things happening, so if you didn’t get enough of the fun during the Kick-Off you should definitely look into these; First, there is the Go Exchange fair which is held every fall and spring. This event is held by the committee Go Exchange together with the exchange students who go to Jönköping University. The fair is an opportunity for domestic students to receive a cultural exchange from the international students as well as learn about their school, try different kinds of food, and listen to experiences and maybe have a chance to figure out where they want to go when it’s their turn to decide where to go abroad. So make sure to put this event in your calendar!

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Second, the Winter Banquet and the Summer Ball are two fantastic events which are planned by the Ball Committee. They truly are a dream come true where you have the chance to shine and show your inner king or queen. It’s a great opportunity to dress up very nicely, have a glass of champagne, and surround yourself with your friends, and most importantly have a wonderful evening.

It’s also an event where the food is on point and the entertainment is good as never before, however, if the ball in itself is a little too much for you don’t forget that you can purchase tickets to only the after party and still have an unforgettable night. Writing this article I only have a week left until the Summer Ball myself and I am more excited than ever since last year’s ball was incredible - so this is really an event that I recommend for all of you.

Third, if you have or have had the dream of being a model and walking down the catwalk, or being in the atmosphere surrounded with joy, fashionistas, and the camera spotlight and enjoying an awesome show. Then Spring Inspiration is the right place for you.

This is the largest Scandinavian fashion show held by students. You can either apply to be a part of the team, be a model or enjoy this amazing show from the side. It’s a show where creativity and fashion are in their right element, and for me who has attended twice - you don’t want to miss this incredible show.

Lastly, Jönköping University also offers an event we call ”Sittnings” these are held by the ”Sexmästerierna” at Akademien. Each school at Jönköping University has a sexmästeri who is responsible for holding two sittnings each year. No matter which school you belong to you can buy tickets and attend to any sittning, but don’t forget that you have to stand in line. The sittnings has different themes like full moon, Halloween or Netflix and chill and it’s up to you to decide how far you want to take that theme when attending the event, but the more the better right? Along with food and drink the entertainment that is performed by the sexmästerierna are always something spectacle, so make sure you get a ticket.

By Beata

On Studying in Sweden and being a Digital Ambassador Nowadays, I think social media is among the top sources of information before traveling – or moving abroad, don’t you agree?! You check out the most beautiful travel spots in the country, the fanciest cafés and so on. Any chance you checked out the channels of Study in Sweden before you moved to Sweden?

Study in Sweden

Study in Sweden belongs to the Swedish Institute (SI) and is a public agency that promotes Sweden as a study destination to prospective and current international students. On our various channels you will find everything you need to know about Sweden and its higher education system (universities, programs, scholarships etc.) but also lots of information about student life. Especially on our student blog, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channels, we frequently share our experiences on what it is like to be an international student in Sweden.

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Digital Ambassador program

In order to keep all our channels alive and interesting to the broad range of followers, we are a team of 15 international students who were appointed by SI to become digital ambassadors. Currently, we come from 12 different countries all across the globe and are divided into 4 teams: Instagram, Video and Blog Team and then we have 3 Chinese digital ambassadors taking care of our Chinese channels like Weibo and WeChat. Even though everyone is assigned one main “duty”/channel, we all contribute blog posts to our blog, typically between 1 and 4 blog posts a month.

Personally, I am part of the Instagram Team together with 3 other wonderful girls – Hazal (Turkey), Yen (Vietnam) and Hyunjin (South Korea). Every week, we give our followers insights into our personal life

as students in Sweden. The good, the bad, the funny and the stressful parts.

I think what makes our whole digital ambassador crew really interesting is, first of all that we study such different programmes, but also that we are spread out across Sweden and have come from various cultural backgrounds. Hence, I would say that it never gets boring since we are so many individuals sharing our very own and unique experiences, tips and stories. Our content ranges from spots to visit, to tips for learning Swedish, to food, to cost savings tips, to study advice, and every once in a while, trips we made or things we appreciate or miss – and of course so much more!

I think it is a lot of fun to share my experiences and since the feedback we receive is so positive it motivates us to continue our “blogger life” alongside our studies! (I used to laugh at such comments but trust me it is!)

We are all really passionate about the things we do and it is always so much fun when the whole crowd meets up

somewhere in this large country to create new content and make plans for the future of Study in Sweden!

After one year of being part of this amazing bunch of people from the Study in Sweden family, I can definitely recommend you to 1. Follow us on our channels and 2. Consider applying to become a digital ambassador! We will be hiring at the end of the summer, so stay tuned! But most importantly, have a wonderful time here in Sweden and embrace every experience you make! <3 Our channels are:

Blog: blogs.studyinsweden.se Insta: @studyinsweden Facebook: /studyinsweden YouTube: studyinsweden

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Weibo: /studyinsweden

WeChat: @studyinsweden

My After finishing my bachelor degree in Economics in India, I knew with absolute certainty that I wanted to pursue my master’s degree abroad. I wanted to go to a country where I could experience studying amongst people from many cultures, as well as a quality academic environment. Et voila! I found Sweden to be the top contender in my list. Finally, after a few months and rounds of endless paperwork later, I arrived at Jönköping University in the autumn of 2018.

The biggest positive for the first few months here was that almost everyone in Sweden speaks English well, which gave me enough time to learn the basics of Swedish. University life here is radically different from mine back home. I really like the emphasis on creativity, flexibility and group work here, along with the emphasis on producing high quality research work.

The main attraction for me, considering my programme, was that Swedish universities offer courses about urban and regional economics, which was perfect for me. To top it all, the professors here are super friendly and extremely helpful. My class consists of students from a variety of countries in Europe and Asia, and it was a very enriching experience to learn more about each of them and where they come from. I definitely learnt a lot of things from them, which made “fika-paus” every day even more interesting.

Swedish Story

by Siddhi Salvekar

In a cultural aspect, what I loved most about Sweden is that it is extremely tolerant and they believe strongly in the principles of gender equality, and tolerance towards people from different countries. Adding to that, Jönköping is breathtakingly beautiful, with the Vättern and two other small lakes. It definitely makes biking around the city to be an amazing experience in itself. Although, being from a tropical country, the toughest weather that I have ever had to face was the Swedish winter. With constant grey skies, early darkness and the biting cold, the only thing that kept me going was the warm coffee and the determination to just emerge through it all in one piece for the wonderment of the spring weather.

Jönköping is a pretty small city, but being a student at JU has a lot to offer. I am not much of a party person, but I have enjoyed many nights of dancing at Akademien, after particularly hectic examinations. With a big variety of sports activities as well as various clubs, there are almost always interesting events happening on campus, which make the sparsely populated city seem brighter to me.

Being almost 6000 kilometres away from home was bound to be a daunting adventure for me, but I have truly enjoyed it so far. Adulting, paying bills and spending some busy, lonely nights in winter has been a scary and tough ordeal, but I have learnt a lot from every experience that I have had so far. Particularly, travelling to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and many other small towns has given me beautiful memories of this country, the culture and the people.

While it can be a struggle learning Swedish, it has still felt like a positive challenge that can easily be combatted by the Swedish courses offered by JU. Sweden is defined by its inclusive ideals, which can make adjusting to life here as an international student a bit easier. I am definitely looking forward to spending another year in this beautiful country!