JIBS United Spring/Summer 2022 Issue by JIBS UNITED Magazine

Spring Issue 2022

JIBS UNITED

Table of Contents 1. Words From the Dean

2. Words From the Editor in Chief

3. Words From the President

4. Our Team

5. A Global Language, an Artistic Expression, a Tool of Oppression

6. Gendarmerie of the World: the United States

7. Activities at Jönköping University for Student Integration

8. Mysterious and Scary Places Around Italy

9. Coffee Break With Abir Hossain

10. Bizarre, Fascinating, Intriguing Burial Customs

11. Lovely Wedding Cultures Around the World

12. Born Between the Cultures

13. How to Have a Good Study Abroad

14. Superstitions

15. Photos of Jönköping Spring 2022

Words From the Dean

Professor Jerker Moodysson Dean & Managing Director Jönköping International Business School

Innovation Studies is largely built on evolutionary theories. Strongly simplified, this means that we gain insights into the present and the future by learning from the past.

The theme of this issue, diversity, is at the core of JIBS’ learning environment. Since the mid 1990s when JIBS was established – at that time a unique project in Sweden – internationalisation has accelerated. It is no longer unique or even special to be an international business school. There are in fact quite many international business schools in Sweden and the Nordic countries today, at least if “international” is defined as communicating in an internationally recognised language and promoting student- and faculty mobility. Given the development in all parts of society, this is a natural progress also in higher education. Or, one could argue, higher education may be one of the engines behind this development. However, being an international school is much more than making research and education internationally available, and much more than promoting mobility and integration across borders. One of the guiding principles of JIBS is that we are “International at Heart”. This means that we take our internationalisation beyond modes of delivery and composition of the faculty and student population. Essentially, it is about the relevance of our research, education and entire learning environment, or – if you like – our culture and identity.

We believe that openness with regards to international diversity brings openness to a range of other aspects of cultural and social diversity, such as gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation and social class. And we believe such openness brings tolerance as well as curiosity and understanding, which are among the most central values in a learning environment. Before graduation a couple of years ago, I had a coffee with one of our graduates and took the opportunity to ask what he thought had been the best thing during his time at JIBS. I expected him to name a course or a teacher, an internship or a semester abroad, because that is what many students do when I ask that question, but he said: “the best thing with JIBS is that you always get challenged by someone having a completely different opinion than you. There are so many cultures and social backgrounds represented in the classroom that you cannot take anything for granted. That forces you to reflect upon your own opinion, and sometimes even change your mind”. In my view that feedback captures the essence of learning and the immediate link between learning and diversity.

Although firmly embedded in our region, we take a thorough international perspective in everything we do. We do this partly because we believe that it makes our learning environment richer, but also – and more importantly – because we believe that it contributes to a better society also beyond our school and our learning environment.

Words From the Editor in Chief

Luca Ike Project Manager & Editor In Chief JIBS United Magazine 2021

The most dangerous worldviews are the worldviews of those who have never viewed the world. – Alexander von Humboldt

What is culture? What does it mean to interact with cultures? Why should I learn about different countries and different people when I can stay at home, safe and sound and only care what happens to me? What is culture? As one of my lectures uses to say: “with only raspberries, you won’t make a good fruit bowl”. Often, we tend to stick to people we know, we are familiar with, or who share the same background. But how will we ever learn, if we all think alike? Through my life, I was very lucky to be able to travel to different places and interact with many different cultures. If it was in the Chilean desert, the Malaysian rainforest, or the East African savannah, there was always something to learn about the people, their customs, and their life. Culture is expressed in many different forms. Through norms and values, music, art, and beliefs. But what a place really defines, is the people living there. The people with their stories and experiences. Our views and expectations are often shaped by prejudice and stories we heard. However, no words could ever describe the experience you make when interacting and working with people from the other side of the world. It is not always easy. Sometimes language barriers or other misunderstandings can get in the way. It is therefore even more important to learn from these, rather than shutting off.

In this issue, we would like to explore different cultures. Different rituals and observances, but also different quirks and superstitions. With this edition, we would like to challenge your world view, open your consciousness a little, and make you see all the benefits of working with different cultures. We would like to take you on a journey through abandoned places in Italy, visiting different weddings and funerals on this planet, and looking into this place: Jönköping and what it has to offer. We also offer some tips for students who will study abroad for a semester. Again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everybody who has worked on this issue. The writers and the proofreaders for amazing articles, the marketing and design team for their content and the design of the issue, Raina for her amazing work with the team, and, of course, Betty, for always being a helping hand when it was needed. Another thank you goes to the JSA board for great feedback and their support. Sadly, this will be my last issue, so I want to thank everybody who has made this journey a great experience. I hope you enjoy reading the Summer issue 2022. Yours sincerely, Luca Ike

In a world where nationalism seems to grow again, where wars break out in countries no one would have expected, and where whole ethnicities are being attacked for no reason, it is more important than ever before to learn from each other and to work together again.

Words From the President Theme - Culture In class, we learned that culture is basically the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Coming from Bolivia to Sweden, I realized how different things can be even though we both share Western culture. From small things, such as sitting next to random people, to bigger things such as stores being open limited hours on weekends and working weeks (not including Saturdays). Like me, there are hundreds of other internationals that have this culture shock when we first get here. But with the culture shock, we also bring our culture, lots of experiences and different ways of thinking. This is one of the biggest perks we as students have at JIBS, by it being as international as it is we get to experience all different types of cultures from all over the world without having to leave the city. The multiculturality in our classrooms is not only an opportunity to learn about new cultures but also an opportunity to discuss and further develop your own thoughts about the world. Learning about different cultures gives you perspective and aids in school projects, relationships and further supports your career. The world of economics is changing and evolving. Businesses have gone from centralized enterprises, where businesses try to create the most value for their own business, to a more distributive model where value is shared and created together amongst many businesses. With this being said, I invite everyone to look around and see all the rich cultures present at JIBS. Jönköping University brings cultures together and students here have an upper hand in learning about all the benefits mentioned. The culture shock and anxious feelings many experience in the beginning are quickly forgotten because the atmosphere is very accepting. Different events and social committees create opportunities for individuals to find what suits them. Personally, I’ve enjoyed being involved in different groups, and being a president for JIBS has truly been a time I’ll cherish forever. Isaias Morales

Yuki Baciu David Writer

Patrick Fenger-Krog Proofreader

Alexandros Bitzarakis Writer

Stella Malka Marketer

Alice Sbrogio Writer

Aiden Orso Proofreader

Isabella Anne Amukule Writer

Luca Ike Project Manager

Sofie Torp Head of Marketing

Our Team

Alicia Seah Website Manager

Raina Fei Managing Director

Stella Falduto Guest Writer

Li Hongjian Designer / Photographer

Artemij Tarasov Marketer

A Global Language, an Artistic Expression, a Tool of Oppression Writer: Alexandros Bitzarakis “The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem.”, Kurt Photo From Pexels Vonnegut wrote once.

Music has been around for quite some time. Some experts believe that it has been part of civilization even before actual languages were invented. It must have been fun being able to beat-box but not as much not knowing how to properly talk. Music goes beyond something to be listened to but has been a cultural base for communities across the globe. During times of joy and freedom, but also during mourning and war. It may seem manic to think that a bunch of sound frequencies connected with each other can have such an influence, but that’s what art is, right? Music as an art form differs a lot from each side of the world. If you grew up in the West, listening to a Chinese folk song will most likely sound bizarre to your ears. If you grew up in Africa, music is ultimately connected with dancing. For you, music without dance (e.g classical) might feel empty. What makes it different though? It works just like a language. It has different dialects and idioms, which in music terms can be translated with the help of music theory. For example, in Western music theory, octaves are (usually) divided into twelve successive tones, called the chromatic scale. Or even simpler, the seven white keys on a piano with the five black keys in between. The issue is that a typical piano is tuned only

according to Western music standards, therefore it cannot give a clear depiction of music idioms in other cultures. There is a high chance that a music teacher at some point in your life tried explaining tonality to you by saying “major scales are happy, minor keys are sad” which has logic behind it. It goes back to the 18th century when Mozart and Beethoven were at their peak. When, for example, they wrote a song like “Requiem In D Minor (Mozart)”, this song’s key is D minor and they knew that this key shows “a melancholic womanliness” and many listeners were aware of that too. Christian Schubart transcribed in paper those different feelings and characteristics in the late 18th century and created a buzz around it. All those “emotions” seemed to make sense for western music fans, but not to anyone else. You see, the theory that is being taught to most modern music schools and conservatories is nothing else than the analysis of the music that 15 guys wrote back in the 17th-18th century, and surprisingly most of them come from the same country and look pretty much the same. It is worth mentioning that there is no person of color in any of those textbooks or in fact, a woman. The only exceptions are jazz books that are literally the fundamentals of “Black Western Music”. The issue is that the music theory being taught in schools as “universal”, many times contradicts or is even opposite of that in any other part of the world. Indian music as previously mentioned is based on different scales and terminologies. If you put a classical musician in the same room with an Indian folk musician, they will have a hard time understanding what matches and what does not. Their ears are trained according to the norms of their musical-cultural background. An open note and my personal opinion to end this article are that music is something universal, always progressing and ever-going. The lack of diversity in the textbooks is not mirroring the open world of music and is lacking progression. If you are someone that loves music as much as me, I would suggest you try listening to as many new things as possible. It will definitely spark your creativity and will lead you to a blissfully cross-cultural trip.

Gendarmerie of the World: the United States

Photo From Pexels

Writer: Alexandros Bitzarakis

Let’s do an experiment. Try to think about a war-type of event that occurred in the past 50 years anywhere in the world. Search it online, and add the word “USA” in the end. The probability of the U.S. being involved in this “x” event is, not surprisingly, very high. The U.S. is profoundly famous for its military actions. Their Department of Defense is probably the most powerful organization known to man and to the point that there is no legitimate estimation of how much money is spent on its operations on a yearly basis. According to Statista, in 2020, the United States spent around 766.58 billion U.S. dollars on its military, however, this number is still unclear since a large amount of its foreign military bases is kept private and not counted. Chances are, no matter if you are American or not, that you have probably heard stories about U.S. military bases, or have even lived close to one. There are approximately 800 American military bases outside of the U.S., from tiny airstrips to small Americanised towns with a few thousand of military personnel. Nevertheless, those bases do not show up in random places around the world. They are perfectly located in sites that have quick access to enemies, or even for ally surveillance. There are not any major bases in Scandinavia except a few Air force facilities in Norway, although I happened to be raised close to two of them and I thought I could give you some insight. I grew up on an island in southern Greece (Crete). Greek islands are quite famous for their blue beaches, sunny weather 24/7, the ancient civilizations, and the list goes on. One thing that stands out on my island, however, is its strategic location. If you go on a map right now you will notice that Crete is the meeting point of three continents; Europe, Asia, and Africa. For the past few thousand years, it has been a crucial point for the trade industry, but also during war times. Of course, the United States noticed that. You see, the U.S. is like your 5-year-old cousin in a family gathering. It loves being the center of attention, it must inspect all the apps on your phone, and it sleeps in your room without your permission. The only difference is that the U.S. won’t mark its location by peeing the area -hopefully, your cousin does not do that either, but by building military bases around it. And that’s what they did. In fact, they built two of them, one of which one has been inactive since the 90s. Growing up a few kilometers away from the inactive one, I always asked the older generation what it was like back in its prime time. The most common answer I’d receive was that other than offering plenty of new jobs to the locals, it also modernized the area. Yet, the contrast was noticeable. Most locals did not even have electricity or a car, while this American community nearby had a cinema, fast food restaurants, and

supermarkets full of American products. It was like a time machine for what would come to the greater area a few decades later. It definitely helped to build a healthy relationship between the locals and the foreigners, since up to this time the main outer connection they had was with war enemies. Many locals formed great relationships with the Americans and there were even plenty of marriages amongst the two. Up to this moment, the vast majority of the locals would not even think of marrying someone from a different city, therefore you can imagine the lack of heterogeneity. In the years to come, tourism would start flourishing on the island and many natives were now more open to getting into relationships with non-Greeks, which in my opinion was a result of what happened between locals and military personnel. Do not be fooled though. The Americans would not build a community abroad just to refashion and upgrade the technology of the locals. The strategic location of the island helped them be closer to their Middle East enemies and react quicker in cases of emergency. Nowadays, one of them is completely abandoned, while the other one is used regularly for navy tests and inspections. My rhetorical question here is: why do they have to stick their noses in everyone’s business all the time? The easy answer would probably be money, with no further implications. But is it always about money? Could it be their constant need to show dominance, to be a bully of the helpless? Imagine a world in which the U.S. would build bases in other countries to actually help improve the living conditions of the locals. Crazy, right? Imagine if all those billions of dollars spent on military actions that have never really had any positive effect were spent constructively. Don’t get me wrong, it would be naive to think that they do what they do without apparent reasons. In fact, in past wars it was common for other countries to beg the U.S. for help because let’s face it, they are a cheat code. But can things be done differently?

Photo by Hongjian Li

Activities at Jönköping University for Student Integration Writer: Alice Sbrogio Jönköping University has many different student associations, related to different students' interests. Every year each of them proposes activities and meetings. The students’ associations are all run by students, for students. JIBS United Magazine, founded in 1996, is one of these associations. Not many universities have an association dedicated specifically to the integration of students, proposing different activities through which it is possible to bond, learn and at the same time cultivate our interests. However, JU is special in this regard, having implemented IAC which has helped with this for many years. The activities implemented through the association include: Buddy Program, Food Safari, Culture days, hiking trips, Book Club, Language cafè, the Host family program, Go Exchange day and also a partnership with a travel agency to organize itinerated trips for students. IAC is probably the first association which students, especially international ones, come into contact with. As a matter of fact IAC tries to reach new students even before they move to Jönköping, to explain to them a bit of what to expect from their upcoming studies and advise them about upcoming travels and activities carried out through the semester. One of the first suggestions given is to subscribe to the

Buddy program. Thanks to the Buddy program it is possible for new students to get advice on how the university and student life work from students who already know the dynamics. The Buddy program is open to new students to understand better how practical things work, while students that have done one semester at university can become a buddy. It is an occasion for meeting new people, mingling, and doing diverse activities such as bowling organized by IAC. Food Safari on the other hand usually occurs once or twice per semester and is an occasion to share your native food with new people. To participate in Food Safari it is necessary to subscribe by paying a fee and then choose between cooking an appetizer, the main course, or the dessert. Both Swedish and international students can participate in this initiative. It usually starts around 5 p.m. and goes on for as long as students like. The evening involves a lot of relocations and meeting new people at every step, since the ones you will offer your dish are not the same ones that you will meet during the other courses, in which you will be the guest. It is a great way to meet new people and try different foods.

Photo From Pexels

Culture Day is hosted every Friday, from 12 to 13, by students who would like to present their country. It takes place in the hall of the School of Education and Communication and is open to all students. It starts with a presentation of the country involved, followed sometimes by dance demonstrations, quizzes, or particular aspects of the country. In the end, students can try the food of the country displayed cooked by the group that was presenting. Every student with a group of friends can book and participate in hosting Culture Day and get compensated for the food that will be provided to students.

Photo From Pexels

Hikes are organized on the weekends to allow whoever is interested to discover new trails in Jönköping and its surroundings. They take place in groups and are led by one representative of IAC, and they usually last 2 or 3 hours. Book Club is also open to every student who would like to read a book and meet to comment on it with others who are reading the same book. It is split into different genres such as adventure, fantasy, thriller, etc.. and it ends with a mingling of all the readers. Similar to big cities such as Vienna, Paris, and Milan where it is common to find initiatives around the city to have a language exchange, commonly called a “Language Cafe,”, IAC offers a similar opportunity to practice or revise a new language. Native mother tongues, students offer opportunities to practice Swedish, French, German, Spanish, and Russian every Tuesday from 16 to 18 at Rio Cafè. Every student can participate for just one lesson, or every Tuesday, there is no restriction. Usually, the lesson is divided into the study of vocabulary going through the translation of a list of words of a certain topic that would be put into words of a certain topic that would be put into context. Then different board games or quizzes are used to practice what has been learned. Before the Covid happened there were other initiatives such as GoExchange. This is a day on which exchange and international students present their country to students interested in going on an exchange. It takes place in the campus arena and it is an initiative for students interested in living abroad to get real insights from locals of those countries.

The Host Family program is an initiative much like the high school trips of going to visit and be the guest of a local family in a new country. It is a way for international students to get to know more about Swedish culture and the Swedish way of living. Students interested in this project will be matched with a Swedish family and meet the latter at an initial mingle. Then they will have the opportunity to keep in contact with the family and organize activities with them while having a mutual cultural exchange. Last but not least, IAC gives students the ability to travel thanks to a partnership with Time Travel. This allows students to subscribe to different trips around Sweden and neighboring countries. It is usually offered at lower prices than the standard trips proposed by the agency and allows students to travel with other students. Every year different trips are organized to Norway, Lapland, Iceland, Gotland, and Copenaghen in collaboration with IAC.

Photo From Pexels

Mysterious and Scary Places Around Italy Writer: Alice Sbrogio the bell tower of Curon

There are many different blogs, air companies, and books that tell stories about some of the scariest and most mysterious places around the world. Some travelers are very interested in the history of the surrounding landscapes. In many cases, people choose to go to a place just for some particular interest in the legends that are supposed to have happened there, such as Stonehenge. The world is full of places that at first thought you would have never expected to have so many mysteries. With this article, I want to explore some of the most infamous places around Italy. Italy is well known for its landscapes and food, but it also comes with a lot of history and traditions. One of the most intriguing places in the Alps is, for sure, an old bell tower connected to lake Resia in Trentino Alto Adige, with the very fitting name, “the bell tower of Curon”. It is a bell tower in the middle of the lake, very haunting in every season and time of the day. It carries in itself a lot of history and imagination. A thriller television series “Curon '' available on Netflix was made about this, which in part Photo From Pexels explains some of the histories of the place, and a book, “I'm staying here”, was written on the events. How you may be asking, can a bell tower be in the middle of a lake? Curon was a little town with just a few hundred inhabitants lying on the border of Austria and Switzerland. The years under the fascist government were also characterized by an increase in the demand for hydroelectric energy. To solve this demand the government decided to build a dike that would have submerged Curon, and rebuild the

town a bit northern. The inhabitants were not fully aware of what was happening due to different factors. One reason was that many could not speak Italian at the time, but only German, and could not understand the government announcements. It is a story of boundaries, integration of population, exploitation of places, and historical events that still leave their traces in the tower bell built-in 1300 that emerges from the lake. Another italian city full of charms, ritual customs and mistaeries is for sure Naples. Other than its incomparable food, view of the sea, and lucky charms, Naples hides a lot of history and legends. Some of these can be found in Rione Della Sanità, which hosts the catacombs of San Gennaro. These catacombs were built starting from the second century A.C. . From them it is possible to see the evolution of the pagan to Christian burial. In those, it is still possible to see some of the frescoes of the time. In addition, some of the relics of Saint Gennaro are conserved there, with many different legends still connected to it. However, one of the most interesting sites in the neighborhood is Fontanelle cemetery. This is a Fontanelle cemetery pit that was used to conserve the skeletons of the dead after the plague in Naples in 1656 and cholera in 1836. In addition, poor people that could not afford a tomb in the churches were buried here, the socalled “anime pezzentelle”. An unusual tradition started to occur here after World War I. During that time women started to go to the cemetery to “adopt” a skeleton. They prayed for the soul of the skeleton, taking care of it, cleaning and decorating it with flowers, to ease its burdens in purgatory. While taking care of the skeleton they asked in exchange for graces; some written testimonies were even left of men asking to win the lottery. This tradition went on until 1969 when the cardinal of Naples, worried about the fetishism provoked by the place and decided to close the site. Nowadays it is open for sightseeing. Photo From Pexels

a ghost village in Italy

Photo From Pexels

Ghost towns are other places quite common in Italy that carry with themselves a lot of history and misteries. One of the most suggestive ghost towns in is Pentedattilo in Calabria. Its name takes inspiration from its shape that resembles a hand carved into the rock. The history of this town is very ancient: it is thought that it could have been founded during Ancient Greek times. However, after an earthquake and the continuous risk of floods it started to be abandoned from the beginning of 1700 until the ‘70s when the last inhabitants left the place for security reasons. Different legends are connected to the place, one in particular connected to the castle of the town. The Marquis of the Alberti living there was killed as revenge for the pre-defined marriage of her daughter, by the Baron Abenavoli who fell in love with the lady. From the castle legends tell it is still possible to hear the screaming of pain of the Marquis. Today, Pentedattilo is starting to be repopulated little by little again. Currently 40 inhabitants live there thanks to the help of volunteers who are assisting to take care of the place. In Italy many villages risk losing more and more inhabitants because they often choose to migrate to different cities. Different consequences come with this like the absence of restructuring, or of taking care of the place. An initiative was born to amend this problem; with the symbolic sale of unused houses in certain towns for just 1 € on the condition that before a certain period of time the house would be restructured. As stated from the beginning Italy is a country full of history, legends and tradition. From time to time it could be interesting to visit ghost towns or discover why certain sites are oddly peculiar, such as a tower bell emerging from a lake. I chose to talk only about Italian sites to restrict the selection that is very vast otherwise. However, all around the world there are lots of mysterious places ready to be discovered.

Photo from Unsplash

Coffee Break With Abir Hossain Interview by Luca Ike In front of me sits a young man. Dark hair, light brown skin, and a bright smile. His name is Abir Hossain. Abir was born and raised in Bangladesh. After finishing high school, his bachelor diploma in Business Administration in Management Studies, and a few years of work experience at a large multinational corporate, he sought for a new challenge. This challenge led him to Jönköping, Sweden, to follow the masters programme “Managing in a Global Context”, today known as “Global Management”. So why would a Bangladeshi quit a stable job, just to go study again?

During our amazing chat, we talked about many different things. His background, how he came to Sweden, his challenges, and where his studies lead him. We also talked about his dream as a child and how this changed when he grew older. And of course, he also shares some of his most valuable advice for students at JIBS with me.

Photo by Pontus Johansson

Abir describes himself as a very positive person. He does not only describe himself as adventurous, and ambitious, this is also very evident when looking at his experience and career path so far. For him, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are quite important, and especially number 17, “Partnership for the Goals”. Throughout our talk, it is very clear that Abir strongly believes in his friends, personal connections, and collaborations between different people. After graduating in 2017, he started working in Gothenburg, for the same organisation that hosted his internship during his studies. This organisation worked with natural fibre based raw materials from Bangladesh, while trying to have a positive impact on the country. “This groundbreaking innovation could actually change the lives of many people. So immediately, I also saw a potential of helping more than 6000 farmers and their families to come out of poverty and living a good life, while significantly transforming one largest industry in Bangladesh” Abir stayed for about five years, before taking the next step in his career. This step took him to EIT Manufacturing. His role is to support start-ups, scaleups, and potential investable companies. He focusses on business coaching and mentoring. His experience at JIBS helps him to carry forward a lot of theoretical knowledge. Abir values his time in Jönköping a lot. Many of my deliverables in my current jobs are very much influenced by all those theoretical knowledge that I gained” Especially the sustainable business development that is part of many courses at JIBS influenced his career path a lot.

”Abirs biggest dream when he was a child? “I wanted to be a cricket player. And I wanted to explore the world”. When he now reflects on his childhood dream, he can confidentially say that he managed at least the second part of it. “I had a clear ambition to become an international professional, right in the business domain. So I guess that if that was the plan, I think I am quite on track now. Yes!” So this got me wondering. If he is on track now where he wanted to be as a younger person, and if he thinks he is on track of his own future: what would his dream job look like? ”I would like to lead a large size international team from a business perspective. Yes, I'd like to lead a team and lead a business” Abir really enjoys working with different people, from different backgrounds, with different cultures. He strongly believes that this is crucial to learn and to grow as a person. Before we finished our coffee break, I finally asked him for advice for current students at JIBS. Of course, he can only speak from his personal perspective, but he still had a few points he really wanted to get out there. First, he suggests to take the course assignments seriously. No matter what you will do in your future career, you can always get something out of it. He suggests to maybe even going a step further. ”Try to brainstorm, how could you use this assignment opportunity for your own career? Not for the sake of the grade. But to add value to your career.” Always making the best of assignments is really the key to success. And it can contribute a lot to the future career. Another piece of advice from Abir is about team building at JIBS. Often, we are choosing the teams ourselves. This often leads to friends being together in a team, creating very homogenous groups. As mentioned, Abir believes in the diversity of teams and their productivity. He suggests to always look for diverse teams. “Because if you are in a good team, meaning not like homogeneous team, but more diverse team, it would be the best part and best experience that you will get from JIBS. So be very mindful and the practice of selecting the right team.” This leaves me with only one final remark. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Abir for taking the time and effort talking to me. The whole JIBS United Team thanks you for your input and wishes you the best of luck for your future career!

Bizarre, Fascinating, and Intriguing Burial Customs Writer: Isabella Anne Amukule

The grief, anxiety, and uncertainty of how life will go on are some of the emotions that many of us experience when we lose Photo From Pexels a loved one. Some may be trapped in denial for long periods of time, while others will come to the realization that not all hell has broken loose, and the deceased has gone to their final resting place where they will be at peace. Death in many parts of the world is handled in different ways through intricate and unique rituals carried out to honor the body, send the soul to the right place, comfort the bereaved, and in many cases appease the gods of the land. The funeral customs held by both different tribes, ethnicities, and cultures to some may seem rather lavish while to others extraordinary in the prayers recited, handling of the body, and celebration of the life of the person.

The Filipino Funeral

The Turning of Bones

Although most Filipino are Catholics and practice the rites of burial within Catholicism, there are Indigenous tribes that still follow their traditions though on a small scale. The Igorot tribe of the Sagada region in the Philippines honor the deceased by not burying but hanging their coffins nailed to the sides of a high cliff. It is believed that the nearer the coffin is to the sky, the closer the dead are to heaven, however, the elderly prefer this method of laying their body to rest since it's feared that their bodies would rot faster due to the water that seeps through the soil. During the funeral, the corpse is placed in the coffin in a fetal position, and on the way to the cliff, the family lets the fluids of the corpse drip on them. The belief is that they shall be able to share in the deceased’s knowledge and success. Apart from the Igorot tribe, the Tinguian people have a fascinating practice of dressing the dead in their finest clothing, sitting them in a chair, and giving them a lit cigarette. Here the dead sits smoking for several weeks. The Benguet blindfolded their deceased and sit them next to the their main homes' entrances while the Apoyo bury their dead under their kitchens.

Famadihana, a funerary tradition of the Malagasy people in Madagascar is another unique tradition though slowly declining but highly respected by the people. During the ceremony, the family exhumes the bodies from the family crypts after seven years, rewrap them in white pieces of cloth, and writes their names on the fabric used so they are always remembered. The family and friends then carry the corpses over their heads while playing live music and dancing around the tombs. This ceremony is held to celebrate the life of their ancestors as well as bring extended family together.

The Jazz Funeral Bands are normally employed to play at concerts, weddings, and other festive occasions but one at a funeral could be unthought of, however, New Orleans home of the Madi Gras, is also a city in which the deceased is sent off with music. The ceremony starts with the family making lamentations and mourning but ends with much noise, laughter, and a whole bunch of festivity. This funeral service has its roots in postslavery times and is typically held for Black American males or prominent musicians in society.

Funeral Strippers In rural areas in Taiwan, stripping is not only restricted to the clubs but also it is incorporated into funeral services. One may hear blaring music from a funeral and an exotic dancer performing and this is for the prime purpose of attracting mourners as well as showing the wealth of the family. Furthermore, in some local cultures, dancing erotically is used to convey the deceased’s wishes of being blessed with many children.

Green Burials

Sky Burial

In Hong Kong, due to the large population, there is limited land for burial plots, and the plots cost between $38,000 and 64,000 dollars. Chinese people also find it traditionally taboo to take the urn home since it would mean combining the worlds of the dead and the living. Therefore, the government designated areas in the sea and “gardens of remembrance” for scattering the ashes of the deceased which they refer to as green burials.

In Tibet, the Buddhists follow an age-old custom of sending off the dead. Here the corpse is chopped up into pieces and spread in the mountains for vultures to eat. The bones are then collected, crushed, and fed to cows. This practice may be both quite horrific and fascinating, however, the Tibetans perceive it as very important since they see it as a last gift to the universe and a way to show the insignificance and impermanence of our earthly lives.

From Ashes to Beauty Similar to Hong Kong’s large population, South Korea has to find new ways of honoring the bodies of their loved ones. After sixty years of being buried, according to the law, a corpse is exhumed, burnt to ashes, and pressed into ‘death beds’ which can be produced in turquoise, black, or pink. These beds hold beads that have been made from the ashes of the deceased, and they are then placed in the house.

Second Burial Just like the Ghanaians who believe that there is life after death, so do the Igbo tribe of Southern Nigeria who holds a ceremony known as ikwa ozu loosely translated as celebrating the dead. This ceremony is carried out several weeks or months after the first burial hence its reference as the second burial and it is filled with glamour, entertainment, and alcohol. A person known as the ada eats the deceased’s favorite meals, in complete silence from dawn to dusk to provide the late with food in the afterlife.

Fantasy Caskets In some parts of Ghana, professional casket makers carve caskets based on something that the deceased loved during his life, his past profession, or traits, it could be an airplane, a boat, a fish, or even a baguette which are made from softwood and cost about seven hundred dollars. The Ga and Fante people of Ghana believe that death is a new beginning rather than an end. Therefore, giving the deceased a befitting burial and the best possible sendoff is paramount. They also believe that burying the dead in a coffin made to their taste would appease them and prevent them from being vengeful to the living.

Mummification

Corpse Under Bamboo

In the mountainous Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea inhabited by the Anga people, mummification still exists. It is not the typical process that many of us have seen on television regarding the ancient Egyptian funeral practice but rather has its uniqueness. Here the body is smoked over roaring flames for three months to prevent decomposition, it is then poked with sticks to drain the fluids but neither an internal organ nor body fluid touches the ground. Once the body is wrapped, the corpse is strapped to a chair and carried to a clifftop where they sit with their elders overlooking and protecting the village.

Bali is known for its beautiful islands, tropical climate, affordable living, and magnificent tourist attractions, it is also home to the Trunyanese people who, unlike the Balinese who cremate, have an unusual practice of burying their dead above ground on Tirunyan island. Here the body is washed, dressed, and placed on the ground surrounded by a bamboo cage that keeps animals away until the corpse is fully decomposed. After the body dissolves in the earth, the skull is taken and placed on a rock platform nearby to make room for a new body. To many tourists’ surprise, the island is not pungent, and this is attributed to an ancient banyan tree, Teru Menyan, that sits in the cemetery and neutralizes the smell of rotting bodies. The island is popularly known as Skull Island Bali, and it too is a place to visit as it would feel like one walked right into one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The bizarre, fascinating, and intriguing practices from all over the world when it comes to funeral services amongst other ceremonies show the uniqueness of people. Through these practices we see that whether they all have their differences, they all show the compassion that we all have for each other even though we may not all believe in the afterlife.

Lovely Wedding Customs Around the World Writer: Isabella Anne Amukule

It is amazing how so many people have things in common and yet have different ways of doing Photo From Pexels them. Take marriages, naming and birth ceremonies, funerals, graduation parties, and Christmas parties which are celebrated around the world but are organized all in different ways depending on the traditions that they practice. Right from the dressing, the rituals, and the food, there are a lot of wonders we experience when we either get the opportunity to attend weddings of others or are part of the bridal entourage. Through these vast wedding practices, we become part of the glamour, the unfamiliarity, and the pomp that some weddings offer. Here are a few of these variations we find around the world that may make us shake our heads, awe in amazement and most of all teach us to appreciate the differences of others.

Smiling is Forbidden

The Groom is Held Down

One would expect to see the happy couple smiling, waving to guests, and generally having a wonderful time. However, in some Congolese cultures smiling is forbidden. Funny, right? One would question why a couple is not showing their joy through a smile on the most important and happiest day of their lives. This occasion, however, is one taken to be a serious affair, so a smile may make it look like a joke. You may think that this could only be during the ceremony itself, but to your surprise, it is also in the wedding pictures and reception.

The Falaka ceremony is one in South Korea where the groom is held down by his family and friends with his shoes and socks off his feet. His loved ones then get a chance to beat his feet with a stick or dried fish as they ask him trivia questions. Much as this may seem quite sinister, especially if one has a thought that probably one relative will beat a lot harder than the rest, this custom is practiced to strengthen the groom’s memory. Probably the explanation behind it is that the pain he may go through during the ceremony will be a reminder that will trigger his mind in marriage to be more organized since being married comes with many responsibilities.

Cloth From Head to Toe In Japan, the brides are clad with a white cloth from head to toe, a kimono, makeup, and a hood called a tsunokakushi which translates to horn hider. The white cloth presents the bride’s maiden status, and the hood hides the “horns of jealousy”. It is believed that this hood symbolizes that the bride will become a gentle and obedient wife.

Three-day Ceremony A wedding in many traditions may be a one-day event, however, the Indians especially the Hindus have a three-day ceremony with vibrant and bold colors rich with cultural festivities. Each ceremony has its precise rituals that bind both the couple and their families for eternity. The Ganesh Pooja ceremony commences the wedding events and is an intimate event with only close family members in attendance while the Sangeet during the second day and the main ceremony and reception on the third day is attended by most of the guests.

Bride Price

Wear Same as Guests

Bride price, also known as dowry, is a customary practice amongst the many tribes in Africa. The Iteso tribe, a patrilineal society in Uganda holds negotiations between the groom’s family and brides which is called Aibilakin, here the family of the groom provides an envelope of money which would amount to not less than 100,000 Uganda shillings to permit them to enter the house of his wife-to-be. During these negotiations, another envelope is given known as aba na ekiising which is translated to money for breasts. Its translation may seem quite odd, but it is for the woman who will use it when she provides new life in her new home. The dowry comprises cows, an important aspect of the Iteso tribe since they are pastoralists. The number of cows and goats to be paid depends on how wealthy the husband to be is and how good and educated the girl is. Looking at the purpose of this is seen as an exchange for the girl who will leave her father’s house and find a new home at her husband’s house, and it is here that she will give birth to her children and where she will be buried when she passes from this world.

The Czech carry out a tradition that is believed to promote fertility. Before the wedding ceremony, a child is placed on the couple’s bed. At the ceremony, they are showered with rice, peas, or lentils.

In most African cultures with the introduction of the white wedding, many tribes have preserved their cultural wedding traditions. Some of which include the types of dressing and the introduction of the husband to the woman’s family. Unlike traditional western weddings, in Nigeria, the couple chooses what their guests wear and assigns a particular color to the bride’s family and a separate one to the groom’s. A traditional ornate headpiece, Gele, is worn by the bride and her family. The men from both families wear fila and the whole family from both sides dress up in aso-ebi. At the ceremony, the groom and his groomsmen, show their respect to his bride’s family by prostrating. Similarly, amongst the Baganda tribe in Uganda, the ladies from both sides of the family kneel before the guests and their parents to honor them and show respect.

Games and Pranks

Jumping the Broom

The Germans indulge in games and pranks during their ceremonies. One of them is the kidnapping of the bride by the groomsmen who keep their “prize” hidden as they go from bar to bar. They send the husband a ransom note which is the bar tab that they have accumulated and a hint of where he could find his bride. Apart from this the couple’s strength and teamwork are tested as they saw a log together.

Jumping the broom is an ageold tradition that dates back to ancient Ghana during the time it was ruled over the Asante tribe. It is practiced amongst the Black Americans to seal their union and to honor the tradition of their ancestors.

Showered With Rice, Peas, or Lentils

Silver Crown The Norwegian bride wears a silver crown with small-shaped bangles dangling. The crown is meant to represent the Virgin Mary and the purity of a woman at her wedding which however these days is not entirely the case. The bangles dangling according to Norwegian tradition are believed to ward off evil spirits that will come to destroy the bride’s happiness. During the wedding, rye, and barley grains are also thrown in celebration of the couple and during this event, the bride tries to catch as many grains as she can. The tradition states that the more catches, the brighter her and her husband’s future will be. From the different ceremonies carried out around the world, we learn how lovely the world we live in is despite its problems. We see how love is honored as well and we learn to appreciate the beauty that comes in our differences no matter the traditions we carry out.

Born Between Cultures Writer: Stella Falduto

Growing up, I was always surrounded by other children who were “different”. Many of my best friends were Americans who spent a substantial amount of their life in Germany due to their parents’ jobs, Photo From Pexels Eastern Europeans who were born in Germany, and let alone my high school class was made up of twelve different cultures combined. And I think growing up multiculturally is beautiful. My mother is Italian, my father is German. I was born in Germany, I speak German, I grew up in Germany, yet I talk with my hands, but I do not speak Italian, and I have no clue how to cook a single German dish. If this sounds familiar to you, you may have also grown up amongst two, or even more cultures in your family. But also, individuals who grew up while moving around foreign countries, without their family consisting of more than one

culture, can feel this sense of multiculturality in the way they are. It’s our environment, our family, and our schooling that make us become part of customs, beliefs, and values. If the current reader of this article grew up without any exposure to multiple cultures, then this may sound very confusing and to be honest, I would agree to some extent. The spectrum of what multiculturality can be is expressed by the following datasets that were collected amongst everyone whom I know that has been affected by multiple cultural influences. Growing up multiculturally does not always make life easy. When the parents of other kids around you set different rules than your parents do. While your friends may be permitted to join sleepovers, you are not allowed to do so. Perhaps you were given packed school lunches that were different from those that other kids ate and it could very likely raise so

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many judgmental faces, that you would ask your parents to simply make you, what all the other kids had. Inviting friends over could sometimes lead to awkward situations, because of communication, food, or even religion. You may have even faced discrimination based on the way that you, or your parents, look or behave. Surely, we are also greeted by others who show interest and excitement towards our differences. These people may very likely remain our friends for the rest of our lives. But it doesn’t change the fact that the reality of a multicultural individual can look much different from the one of another individual. To demonstrate the similarities that we all share, I have asked everyone I know, who grew up under the effect of more than one culture, to take a standpoint on some of the most frequently experienced situations amongst the multicultural children.

The older you become; you might find yourself not fitting in with the beauty standards that are present in the society that you live in. The bump of your nose is too prominent, your hair is not straight, your skin is too light, too dark, your eyes are too small, not of any interesting colour, and overall, nothing seems to be right. Insecurities become a frequent topic in your head, and you may even try to change yourself for what you think would be a more suitable version of yourself. These are the struggles, that some of us may have felt, or still feel. But the older we grow, the more we realise, that although multiculturality can present us with many challenges in life, the benefits that we reap are much greater than anything else. At some point, we finally care less about the way we look or the way we express ourselves

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Growing up with the cultural competence of multiple environments gives us an edge. We are much more aware of other cultures that we are not familiar with because we understand what it means not to be understood. Having a broadly based worldview makes us more knowledgeable and adaptable, characteristics that are sought after by any employer in a world that is becoming more connected by the day. And fitting in is starting to seem much easier than it ever did before. Although some of us may still carry on with a sense of confusion, not exactly knowing where we want to, or where we should be. But ultimately, restlessness and unknowingness of where to settle down, traveling in search of belonging, will present you with experiences that others around you may never make in life. And that also is valuable.

How to Have a Good Study Abroad My Personal Tips Writer: Yuki Baciu David

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For many of the students at Jönköping University, it is time for packing bags and preparation for exchange adventures. I am currently on exchange studies abroad as I am writing this piece and I do truly hope that some of my advice does help you enjoy your time outside of Sweden as it is definitely an experience that shouldn’t be passed on. The prospect of leaving home and essentially starting fresh for 6-12 months can either be exciting, scary, or alternatively, both. Feeling the latter is completely valid as the process may seem arduous, however, all exchange experiences have one thing in common; they will stick around with you forever positively. I can tell you this, dwelling on whether you made the right decision will not help you, either way, so make the most out of it. My first advice for you and coincidentally the most important would be to make use of a calendar and notebook. As with any activity, this will help you remember important dates, deadlines, etc. You will encounter deadlines while applying for visas and sending needed documents abroad but also while you are actively studying in your country of choice. For example, you may have to register with a general practitioner during your stay or may have periodic payments for rent. Bear in mind that although you will start a new chapter in your life, you are still tied down to Sweden, family, friends, etc. This can be incredibly stressful as you are essentially juggling multiple lives at once, especially if you still have active commitments back home. The use case for these things varies on the person, of course, it is all about you finding what works. The notebook can serve the same purpose but can also provide a safe space for you to jot down memorable moments during your stay abroad. It can become your tool for understanding and developing cultural customs, learning languages, or keeping track of activities. My second piece of advice would be to make sure you spend your money wisely. There usually are international fees and exchange fees if you use your credit/debit card from home. Look into getting an online account such as Revolut or a card that is issued by one of the country’s banks if you want to avoid those fees. Generally, it is worth it especially if you can use Revolut, N26, Wise, ZA Bank, etc. as they will usually have Apple Pay and Google Pay compatibility. P.S ALWAYS pay in the local currency. Cash flows can become a bit of a problem while abroad as rent can get quite expensive. What I did was create a spreadsheet that resembled a balance sheet of sorts. Add the money that you have available to you and for example, note down when you will be getting an allowance, scholarship funds, etc. Try and keep track of your monthly spending and try to set yourself a limit every month; if you pass it, keep that in mind and try to stick to it for the next month. Something you shouldn't pass by is public transport. It is highly likely you will be reliant on it all the way throughout your trip aboard; look into monthly or weekly tickets as they will save money over the long term. The UK has the Trainline app from which you can buy bus and train tickets throughout the country. Perhaps the country you will go to has its own digital

version for purchasing tickets. There also may be student discounts for transport and beyond for that matter. On another note, the prospect of home deliveries can seem very enticing however depending on where you are, it comes at a premium. You will absolutely find yourself spending a lot of money on food by ordering in this way. As students, this is definitely something to look out for especially if you are a foodie like me. My third and final piece of advice would be to ignore negative things directed toward the place you are going to study at and embrace the culture. I admit, I nearly fell into this trap as well. With all information seemingly at a click away on the internet, it can be really easy to create an idea about a location or country that doesn’t truly reflect what it actually is. Every country and every city has its negative side; Trust that there are very small chances that you will ever be affected by it since you will most likely be living with others or near the campus most of the time, which is usually considered safe. This does not mean that you should stay confined to this area, feel free to explore! Additionally, living with others is a massive benefit as it makes it easier to make friends and keep busy; No point in wasting any time while you are abroad. Do as many things as possible, search for places of cultural importance, see the countryside, and eat at local restaurants. I personally went and visited a lot of my friends throughout the country after not being able to see them for years due to the pandemic. This for me was the absolute highlight of my first month living here.

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Superstitions Writer: Yuki Baciu David

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Sometimes we choose to believe in higher powers and concepts such as fate as it can instill a sense of control and positivity in our lives. What we commonly call superstitions to have a special place in every culture around the globe, with some being universally renowned and present in diverse households. There is no universal definition of superstition. It is utilized generally as a term to describe a belief in the supernatural but can also transform into customs or become unexplained traditions. To me, this is something fascinating. Every culture has unique superstitions which ironically show the likeness of individuals around the globe and their beliefs. I have personally been around superstitions as a kid after spending a lot of time with my grandparents and some of them stick with me to this day. I was initially curious whether this was the case with others in my generation but realized that this isn't just a generational phenomenon. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents also grew up being told stories and taught how to deal with superstitions. I asked some of my friends predominantly what superstitions they have heard about within their families and possibly what shaped their childhood and time growing up but I will also share with you some of my own. In Romania, hiccups are a sign that someone is speaking about you behind your back. They will only stop once you think about who they may be. I always believed that the old folks were telling me this in order to egg me on and in hindsight, this advice never stopped my hiccups as a kid. However, I remember it to this day and sometimes still joke around and try guessing who it might be talking to behind my back. The superstitious say that if your right palm itches, you will receive a certain amount of money. However if your left-hand itches, you will be the one giving money. This one has been less common in my life but I have overheard it in humorous conversations between grown-ups when I was small. In technicality, the chances of receiving and spending money in a day are high. Last but not least, if you drop your food, it usually means that someone is hungry. You may be able to guess their name as the first letter of whatever food you’re eating is also the person’s name first letter. Sounds like a fun guessing game that may help you get over the heartbreak of dropping your meal. The following paragraph may sound familiar to our Swedish readers. In Swedish culture, one should never lay their keys on the table as it is considered bad luck. The origins for this are quite disputed however prostitutes traditionally used to leave keys on the table in order to show availability. Some may not know the reasons behind this action and it has become a normal custom/routine in people's lives. I have been handed back my keys in the past and would have never assumed that this was the reason why. I do wonder though what counts as a table and what does not. Spilling salt on the table is another common example of superstitions bringing bad luck; but there also seems to be a lot of

superstitions referring to the weather in the Nordics. Chances are, the weather is not incredibly nice most of the year therefore it makes sense why superstitions and folklore focus on the weather as much as it does. Killing a spider brings bad weather, not finishing your meal brings bad weather, and so on and so forth. In Czech culture, many superstitions are related to religious holidays and weddings. During Christmas, it is said that writing messages professing love to another is bad luck. Cutting an apple in half in Czech culture could predict if family members remain healthy or will fall ill. If the apple has 5 seeds, all at the table remain healthy; if there are less than 5, someone at the table will fall ill. In relation to wedding superstitions, the bride should break a porcelain plate in order to bring good luck to her and her marriage. The fragments originating from the plate are then distributed between the guests and the newlywed keep one piece for themselves as well. This concludes my little dive into the world of superstitions and folklore around the world. I hope that you may be able to relate to some of the aforementioned superstitious behaviors and perhaps reflect on your childhood to see what old wives’ tales shaped your growing up.

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Photos of Jönköping Spring 2022 Photographer: Hongjian Li (Instagram: li_hongjian_01) Here are some photos I took in Jönköping from March to May 2022.

For more photography follow Instagram: li_hongjian_01

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Front cover - photo & edited by Hongjian Li