SUMMER ISSUE 2017
JIBS UNITED MAGAZINE
© 2016 Ernst & Young AB. All Rights Reserved.
Vi är besatta av att utveckla samma sak som du. Dig. Det viktigaste för oss på EY är din personliga utveckling. Redan första arbetsdagen får du en egen counselor som hjälper dig att uppnå dina mål – och ser till att du fortsätter utvecklas. www.ey.com/careers
www.pwc.se/student
Vad vill du uppnå? Låt oss ge dig möjligheter
Photo Charlotte Carlberg
Din framtid är just din och ingen annans. Det är du som sätter målen och får det att hända. Men som landets ledande företag inom revision och rådgivning kan vi öppna dörrar och skapa möjligheter som ger dig kunskap, erfarenheter och nätverk du har nytta av hela livet. Börja med att lära känna oss och din framtid på www.pwc.se/student
© 2016 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.
Har du växtkraft? Frigör den hos oss. Ansvar skapar växtkraft
Våra medarbetare får stort eget ansvar, vilket skapar växtkraft. Kraft att utveckla våra kunders, de dynamiska ägarledda företagens, affärer. Men också kraft att driva på sin egen utveckling och hjälpa kollegor att växa. Vi arbetar i en företagskultur där vi tar ansvar, stöttar varandra och samarbetar i team. Låter det som en plats där du skulle trivas och växa? Välkommen till oss!
Sofie Nilsson Auktoriserad revisor
Jesper Olsen Redovisningskonsult
karriar.grantthornton.se Facebook: Grant Thornton Sverige Karriär
“Gillar du ekonomi kommer du att älska den här rollen” -RKQ 7HQJOHU WRJ FLYLOHNRQRPH[DPHQ IU§Q -Ζ%6 XQGHU RFK ȵ\WWDGH WLOO Göteborg för att jobba som ekonomikonsult på Deloittes avdelning Business Process Solutions (BPS). Här berättar han hur det är att jobba på Deloitte och ger sina bästa tips för att hitta rätt i arbetslivet. Vad är utmärkande med Deloitte och BPS? Bredden är enorm med ständigt nya projekt, arbetsplatser och arbetsuppgifter. Gillar du ekonomi kommer du att älska den här rollen! På BPS får du styra din egen XWYHFNOLQJ RFK HIWHUVRP MDJ YLOO VNDD PLJ en bred grund inom redovisning har jag bett att få arbeta med redovisningstjänster i kombination med mer strategiska projekt. Samtidigt går jag BPS sexåriga utbildningsprogram som ger mig den kunskap som krävs för att gå in i en strategisk CFO-roll. Jag tycker också att Deloitte utmärks av en hjälpsam och familjär kultur, vilket
jag föll för redan som student. Vi ställer upp för varandra i både jobb och privat. Varje månad delas den så kallade ”kulturstrumpan” ut på BPS till någon som ställt upp för andra eller arrangerat en social aktivitet. Det är svårt att förklara vår kultur i ord, det är något man måste uppleva. Hur resonerade du som student för att hitta rätt jobb? Jag försökte gå på så många karriärevenemang som möjligt för att se vilka arbetsgivare som verkade passa mina värderingar. Bland annat deltog jag under Deloittes BPS for a Day och blev störtkär! Inget kändes svårt, för alla stöttade och
Deloitte är ett av världens största revisions- och konsultnätverk. Läs mer om olika karriärmöjligheter på www.deloitte.se/student.
John Tengler Ekonomikonsult inom BPS på Deloitte i Göteborg hjälpte varandra. Många kandidater har liknande CV:n, men att delta på den typen av evenemang kan göra dig lite mer unik i arbetsgivarens ögon.
Den nya mer vetenheten Samhällets krav och förväntningar på att företag och organisationer ska bidra till en hållbar utveckling accelererar. Samtidigt förändras förutsättningarna för våra kunder och deras affärer. Det ställer i sin tur nya krav på oss som rådgivare och revisorer. Idag räcker det inte med att skapa medvetenhet om olika frågor – vi måste vända på fler stenar. Ställa fler frågor. Förutse nya risker. Bevaka nya områden och förstå helt nya sammanhang. I en värld där allt ska vara hållbart, där det mesta är digitalt och där vi lever i en ständig påverkan av globalisering, ska vi ligga steget före och förstå mer än alla andra. Medvetenheten har blivit till Mervetenheten. Det här är vårt sätt att förhålla oss till hållbarhet. Vi söker mer och fler svar på de viktigaste frågorna. För att möta morgondagens utmaningar söker vi ständigt nya medarbetare som kan vara med och ta KPMG in i framtiden. Läs mer om vad vi kan erbjuda på kpmg.se/student
© 2016 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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WORDS FROM THE DEAN Dear JIBSers, As I am writing this, we have just celebrated Valborg in Sweden. HV71 are the new Swedish hockey champions, and it feels as if summer might actually arrive also this year. Summer for me means that I can spend time with my family, enjoy the outdoors, read novels and relax, but it also means time for reflection and thinking about new projects. During my first year as the Dean at JIBS, I have learnt a great deal about the organization but also about myself. I strongly believe that continuing the learning process and not shying away from adapting is crucial for a leader. Learning from others, may it be inspirational talks or other peers, helps me develop. In my research, aiming to understand preconditions for renewal in business, I find that the most serious barriers to learning are not tied to knowledge or technology, but to mindsets of those in charge. In the business school world, one way to get inspiration for renewal is to attend conferences. As you know, JIBS is a double accredited business school. The organisations behind these accreditations, EFMB and AACSB, organize conferences where business school leaders can meet to talk about similarities and differences, and inspire each other. In April, 1,400 business school leaders and decision makers met at a conference in Houston, Texas to discuss the future of business school and accelerating the transformation of future business schools. One of the plenary sessions at the conference in Houston was by Dr. Brené Brown, a researcher and story-teller with a focus on the social and cognitive aspects of interpersonal interaction in the business world. Dr. Brown inspired me greatly, and her talk showed me that admitting our shortcomings and vulnerability is in fact a strength and not a weakness. By pretending that everything is ok we are endangering ourselves and our work (projects, colleagues etc.)
Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. Brené Brown*
* Inspired by Brené Brown? Check out her books and excellent TedX talks based on her research on shame and vulnerability.
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(www.brenebrown.com)
So, when the summer ends I dare you to be bold, challenge your perceptions, do something that you have never done before. And remember that succeeding in different aspects of life does not mean faking perfection, it means to dare to be different and to show your true colors. Professor Jerker Moodysson Dean and Managing Director Jönköping International Business School
Welcome new students, A new semester at JIBS is starting and I remember how I was feeling last year at this time, a bit nervous but mostly excited about this upcoming chapter. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting by the beach in Los Angeles enjoying a vacation and reflecting over my first year at JIBS. I’ve met some amazing people at JIBS that I know will be in my life forever and I’ve learned a great deal from the courses we’ve studied and from being involved in extracurricular activities, like JIBS United. My story with this magazine started before I had even moved to Jönköping. I was sent the summer issue of JIBS United magazine last summer when I found out that I had gotten accepted into the Marketing Management program at JIBS. As I read through the pages, I knew I had to be a part of this magazine in some way. I started out as a writer for the winter issue and loved it, but when the position for editor in chief opened up I jumped at the chance for two reasons. First, because I have loved writing, reading, and everything else surrounding magazines my whole life, my ten-year- old-self would’ve never forgiven me if I didn’t apply. The second reason was because of the opportunity and learning opportunity; I knew that being the editor in chief of JIBS United would be a
valuable experience to put on my resume as well as a challenge to myself to try something I’d never done before. Moving to Jönköping to start university has been one of the best decisions I’ve made so far and I hope you guys will feel the same way that I do in a year’s time. My advice for you guys as new students is to enjoy this first year and be a part of as many things as you possible can. You’ll figure out the studying and exam preparation as you go on, so don’t worry too much about that. I’d advise you to join any of the extracurricular activities that the school offers and to enjoy the kick-off because it will be the start of an unforgettable chapter of your life. Last but not least, enjoy the content of our summer issue of JIBS United and I’ll see you guys at the kick-off!
Ida Karlsson Editor in Chief
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9 MEET THE TEAM 11 SURVIVING THE FIRST SEMESTER 13 GET SETLLED: STUDENT ACCOMODATION 14 JIBS CROSSWORD 15 SWEDISH FOOD & CLIMATE 17 SPORTS AT JIBS 19 TRAVEL AROUND EUROPE 21 A TALK WITH FIRST YEAR STUDENTS 23 GET INSPIRED 28 JSA POSTER BOARD 31 STUDENT CLUBS 33 COFFEE BREAK WITH MITESH PARMAR 35 LOOK OUT! ADVENTURES AHEAD 37 JÖNKÖPING’S GASTRONOMY 39 WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT
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day or night
lime drinks or any other drink
PAULINE FAGERBERG GRAPHIC DESIGNER
food or no food
LISA ÅRMAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER
KAROLINE RØSAND WRITER
drama or comedy
SIGRID GREEN SALMONSON WRITER
KLARA NORMAN ART DIRECTOR
brunch or breakfast-lunch
surfing or skiing
TINA MYRÉN MARKETING MANAGER
MAGDALENA GRANATH MANAGING DIRECTOR
rosé or red wine
coffee or tea
IDA KARLSSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
pool party or beach bbq
PHOTOGRAPH: PAULINE FAGERBERG, EMMA ROLANDSDOTTER & NASEEF KAMAL
YURI LAZER WRITER
concert or festival
train or bus
MADELINE MASARIK WRITER
Boston or New York
GUSTAF JUNGNELIUS PROOF READER
REBECCA NGUYEN PROOF READER
Asia or America
drinks or shots
JOSHUA FRANCIS PROOF READER
ANUP BANERJEE WRITER
hotel or camping
salty or sweet
ESZTER BORDI WRITER
ADRIANNA BEJNAROWICZ WRITER
Audi out or BMW
Instagram or Facebook
ABDIMAJID KHAYRE WRITER
KAREN VOSSEN PROOF READER
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TEXT: ADRIANA BEJNAROWICZ ILLUSTRATION: PAULINE FAGERBERG
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They say that time flies when you are having fun and it has already been two (?!) years since I received the first issue of JIBS United Magazine in my mailbox. I saw starting university as an opportunity, not only to gain knowledge or a Bachelor degree, but rather an opportunity for a new beginning. I did not know anyone and no one knew me. It was a chance, but also a challenge to introduce myself in a completely new spotlight. The day before the kick-off I decided to try to be more self-confident, social or in other words, more extravert than introvert. Anyhow, the more I tried to become someone different, the more I realized that the way I am was more than enough. I would meet new people anyway, and I would rather make three good friends than 30 acquaintances. Almost the whole first semester is about meeting people, already the first day you will meet a group of potential friends. During the week, you will have a great time together and somehow you will form a bond with them and enjoy the feeling of community. It is like living in a bubble, away from the rest of the world. For me, after one year of inspirational search and thinking of what I should do with my life, realizing that I was in the right place and time actually felt fantastic. The real student life starts when the kick-off ends, the sun is not that shiny anymore and the leaves are turning orange. The bubble of freedom bursts and you will need to face a different reality and new responsibilities. I remember the happiness while checking out the schedule and realizing that
there are days during the week without any lectures, but I also remember the disappointment when realizing that as a student you are never free and are always supposed to study. It also implies independence and requires a lot of planning skills since you decide by yourself how to manage your time wisely. The student life is, however, about much more the studying; as long as you are consistent, you will find time for leisure activities or a part time job. A challenge you might face during the first semester is the language barrier. Reading courses entirely in English can feel a bit complicated in the beginning, but it will not take long before you take English for granted. Your writing and speaking skills will also improve considerably. In general, university will learn you a lot of new things, besides the knowledge provided during the lectures. You will learn how to get through an exam week, how to work with students with different backgrounds and how to cook an eatable meal. My sincere advice is to not feel anxious about the start of your new life, there is nothing to be worried about. Thinking back in time, my first semester was actually great. I would definitely admit that the last two weeks of August 2015 were, for me, one of the most important times. I am a bit jealous of you, everyone who’s holding this issue in your hands, since you have a great time ahead. It is not about surviving the first semester, not at all. It is about catching the moments and making them into a time that you will always think back of with a smile.
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TEXT: ABDIMAJID KHAYRE
GET SETTLED: STUDENT ACCOMODATION You just received the great news, you got accepted to JIBS! Congratulations! But chances are you might still be looking for an accommodation in Jönköping, a seemingly daunting task. It is a situation that most students find themselves in before heading off for college. There are various ways of finding accommodation in Jönköping and this article intends to give you an overview of those different ways. Special emphasis will be placed on finding housing rather than finding the right one as the most important thing when you are new is to get a roof over your head. However, the information and tips outlined in this article can be made of use in getting the right housing as we will give detailed information with regard to finding accommodation. Studbo.se
On Studbo.se, you will find available student apartments and rooms in Jönköping. First, you will need to register and create an account, free of charge. Be sure to include that you are a student and how many credit hours you are taking per term as this page is exclusively for students. Each day you will collect points which determine your place in the queue system. This means that the earlier you register, the better your chances of getting housing quickly. There is a section called “privatrum” on studbo.se where you find ads for renting of individual rooms or parts of apartments put up by private individuals alongside their contact details. You do not need to get in to queue for this as you can directly contact the person renting out the place. This could be particularly helpful when you need to get housing urgently, so keep an eye on that. For more information, go to studbo.se where you can find their contact information. Studbo also has an office at the JU’s Service Center.
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Facebook group
To quote a friend of mine, “Facebook is everything these days” and so it should come to you as no surprise that you can find accommodation through Facebook. There is a Facebook group called “Lediga Lägenheter in Jönköping” where people who are renting out a room or even a full apartment post their ads. Join the group now and if need, write a post of your own where you state what you are looking for. Stay tuned for notifications and respond quickly to the ads that seem interesting or acceptable to you. This page is not exclusive for students and hence there is more competition which is why you should show your interest quickly.
Blocket
As in any other city in Sweden, you can find housing for rent or sale on Blocket. Create an account if you haven’t already and start searching right away. You can a write a short description about yourself including photo of you and the fact that you are a student which could increase your odds of finding living. It is common at Blocket that you find ads for a room as opposed to a full apartment. This means that you may have to share the kitchen and the bathroom with others. If this is unappealing, remember that it may be smart to take this as a short-term solution if the first day of school is rapidly approaching. Another factor you should take into account when searching for housing is distance. On Blocket, you will probably come across ads of rooms or apartments that are located in areas far, far away from JU. Then again, this may be a better short-term solution than not having anywhere to sleep. However, it is something to keep in mind when searching.
Other ways
There are a number of students who get accommodation through friends, former classmates, or relatives. Don’t forget to utilize this important channel as well. Once you are at JU, Kick-Off is a great opportunity for you to bond with other students and ask them for tips about accommodation. vatterhem.com hyrabostad.se/jonkoping/ www.willhem.se There are other relevant websites but be cautious of fraud websites. Anyone that tell you to pay online before you sign a contract is most likely fraudulent.
GOOD LUCK!
TEXT: KAROLINE RØSAND
JIBS CROSSWORD 2
Whether it’s your first time at JU or you are an exchange student who is exploring Sweden and Jönköping for the first time, here are some words that might help you during your first weeks here at Jönköping University. A combination of the student language here at JU and some typical Swedish words that could be beneficial to know from the very beginning.
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VERTICAL
HORIZONTAL
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Swedish word for grabbing a cup of coffee, preferably with something sweet and tasty on the side.
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We have pink shirts, green overalls, are super happy and excited to meet you!
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De Janeiro
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One of JU’s social committees
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The one and only place where you will find all students on Wednesdays.
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First time here? Are you a part of the kick off? Well, then you are a...
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Capital of Lebanon and where you will find the best coffee
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The U in JU
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The area where all of our schools are placed here in Jönköping.
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HLK’s restaurant
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The most important thing to wear on Wednesday nights
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Acronym for Jönköpings International Business School
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The J in JU
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For this you need glue, to attend different happenings/events and a colourful garment.
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swedish food climate TEXT: MADELINE MASARIK
When you think of Sweden you may conjure up images of icy cold, Vikings, dark winters, and beautiful blondes. While all these things hold their rightful place in the heart of Sweden, we can’t forget about the food and holidays that are unique to the Nordics. If you examine a year’s worth of Sweden, what would you find?
August
In August, school is looming on the horizon as summer nears its end. Studies are just around the corner but that doesn’t stop Swedes from enjoying themselves. The temperature hovers around 20 Celsius, give or take, so all you need are some shorts and maybe a light sweater for those cool breezes in the shade. If you find yourself in the company of Swedes be sure to wiggle your way into a Kräftskiva, or “crayfish party”, where they go wild with boiled crayfish, “snaps”, and good company. Eaten outdoors, crayfish are one of Sweden’s most savoury delights, so make sure to try one!
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&
September - December
Once August is said and done, autumn begins to arrive and so do the sweets. Be sure to grab a fika and throw away your guilt because these next few months are revolved around sugary creations. Get ready for “Kanelbullens Dag” on October 4 where it is socially acceptable to eat your weight in cinnamon buns. You’ll be needing those extra pounds and some warm coffee too because it’s getting colder, around 2 to -2 degrees Celsius. And trust me, it won’t be warming up for a while. Now is the time to hop into your warm jacket, scarf, and gloves and start learning about all the ways to stay warm in this frigid climate. Lucky for you, coffee and tea are year-round necessities for Swedes, and soon your veins will run with hot drinks instead of blood. The good thing is, there’s always something to look forward to like Lussekatter in December for St. Lucia Day. These saffron buns are yellow, soft, and delicious. In addition to eating the buns you must head to the nearest church on December 13th to experience Lucia sing her way into your heart. Around now, Julmust will be arriving to the stores, a classic Swedish soft drink for Christmas time, and it’s a given that you have to try some. Save some for December 24th during Donald Duck’s Christmas Special, where you’ll find all the Swedes tuned in while eating a plate full of Christmas ham!
January - February
The coldest month of the year, February is something to look out for. Savor those rare days of sunshine in the middle of winter but enjoy the snow while it lasts! Now would be a great time to build a snowman or, if the cold isn’t for you, catch a flight to the Caribbean. If they haven’t already become staples of your life by now, coffee and tea will become the only thing dear and warm to you. I’m kidding, of course! There’s plenty of activities to do during the winter such as skiing, hockey, and even dog-sledding if you’re up for taking a trip to Lapland. This time of the year provides a great opportunity for seeing the magnificent Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, if the weather is clear and you find yourself in northern Sweden. The winters here are magical, but be sure to dress in warm clothes and keep a thermos by your side. Towards the end of February you’ll get to enjoy one of Sweden’s cutest, most lovely pastries: semla. Like a little bun filled with cream and topped with a hat, semlor (plural of semla) are eaten around Fettisdagen (or “Fat Tuesday”) and are almost too cute to eat, although 20 million are consumed each year!
March - May
Spring at last! Crawl out from your igloo and watch the leaves slowly begin to return to the trees. You’ll start to see cute flowers pop up everywhere as life returns to the land. You’ll swear that 8 degrees Celsius has never felt so good as your body begins to thaw and the sun returns from its lengthy vacation. As always, there’s something special to consume in this period. Påskmust, the springtime version of Julmust, hits the stores and the flavor will transform your taste buds into a fizzy wonderland. When April 30th hits, Valborg arrives where you gather around a campfire and drink to your heart’s content, anticipating the imminent arrival of summer.
June - July
Summer! Finally! Almost a year has passed and now we can again enjoy the warm sunshine and long days of Sweden’s summer. The sun will stay above the horizon longer and longer meaning there’s plenty of hours for tanning. What better way to celebrate this beautiful season than with Midsommar, a celebration of the summer solstice often spent in the countryside where large groups of people gather to enjoy the summertime, dance, drink, and eat the first strawberries of summer. Nature is alive and well and spirits are high as the high-point of the year comes at last. No matter the time of year you will always be occupied with holidays, food, and friends.
Welcome to Sweden: the land of sweets, coziness, coffee, and hot blondes!
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SPORTS TEXT: YURI LAZAR ILLUSTRATION: KLARA NORMAN
AT JIBS Whether you want to try a new sport or simply continue your favorite, free time activity, Jönköping and JIBS have a lot to offer. In this section, we outline some of the possibilities and opportunities you have as a student at JIBS. So you’re about to enroll in JIBS, and want to play a sport? Then you are in luck, because there are plenty of opportunities for playing many different sports! At JUSA, or Jönköping University Sport Association, you can currently play Badminton, Floorball, Futsal, Rugby, Basket, Hockey, Rowing, Volleyball, Swimming, Running, Cricket, Tennis and Bowling. Anyone who wants to play can do exactly that, regardless of your ability, experience or ambition.
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For the more popular sports, there’s training sessions for both players who want to play more competitively in addition to sessions for players who are either new or just want to play for fun. Maybe even the best part is that the price to be a member is very affordable, at only 250 Swedish Kronor per semester.
It’s also right next to school, at campus arena, so you can easily go right after class and play one of the sports, or make use of the Nordic Wellness facility that is located in the same building. You have plenty of options, and it’s hard to make it even more convenient to go to the gym than this! The Campus Arena is simply great to have so close. It’s a three floor, 4000 square meter building that is aimed at students as their main target group. That means that it is catered to suit your needs more than anyone else, and it’s just fantastic to have access to it this easily!
If you want to play sports outside of school, however, that is of course possible as well. There are many clubs and organizations, you can do just about anything you like. Want to play Golf? There are multiple beautiful golf courses in the area. Want to go bowling? There’s three places you can do it. You can go motor crossing, play paintball, go skiing or go horseback riding in one of the twelve stables that you’ll find here.
If you’re more into watching sports or simply enjoying great atmospheres there are several professional sports teams in and around the city that can be fun to watch, most notably HV71 and J-Södra. HV71, or Husqvarna Vätterstad 1971, is an ice hockey team located in Huskvarna, just a short bus trip outside the city centrum. They are one of the most successful Swedish hockey teams, they have won the Swedish Hockey League as late as in 2010, and at the time of writing this article, they are playing the SM Finals against Brynäs IF, which they later won in the seventh and final game.
Another major team in the area is Jönköping Södra IF, or J-Södra in short. They are a football team that play in the highest Swedish football league, the Allsvenskan. They play in Stadsparksvallen, a stadium that has a capacity of about five and a half thousand people and always creates a great atmosphere along with exciting football. As you can tell, there is no shortage of options for sports in Jönköping. There is an activity or sport for almost anyone, so whatever it is you want to do, you probably have to option to do just that! If you’re at all interested in trying out a sport or activity, Jönköping is a great place to do it.
JSA GO EXCHANGE When studying and living in Sweden’s most International environment one cannot shut off the hunger of discovering new International adventures JIBS provides its students. That is the main reason for JSA Go Exchange to organize one event every semester to present all the different partner universities JIBS is cooperating with. If YOU are willing to live the International spirit flat out for one day this event is something YOU do NOT want to miss. The opportunity to meet new people and ask the most titillating questions, about exchange, will now be answered. In addition, free food, amazing people and goodie bags are something the student’s soul can’t simply resist. Go abroad, Go Exchange.
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TEXT: KAROLINE RØSAN PHOTOGRAPH: DANIELLE & JENNI
TRAVEL AROUND STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN JÖNKÖPING, SWEDEN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN BERLIN, GERMANY PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC FLORENCE, ITALY ROME, ITALY DUBLIN, IRELAND BUDAPEST, HUNGARY MOROCCO, AFRICA MALAGA, SPAIN ATHENS, GREECE SANTORINI, GREECE ÅRE, SWEDEN LONDON, ENGLAND Listed above are the different places that the last years’ exchange students Danielle and Jenni visited during their semester here at JIBS, JU. Jönköping is known for becoming more and more international, and coming here as an exchange student can include more than just a semester in the town of Jönköping. We got the opportunity to catch up with the two girls and get an insight of what you can do when traveling around Europe, while studying at JIBS. Some of the places became bigger favourites than others for Danielle and Jenni, and here are some of the highlights from their trips.
Copenhagen, Denmark When in the capital of Denmark, there is one place you simply have to go to (and preferably document it with your camera) – Nyhavn! Prepare yourself for a crowded stroll if you are there on a sunny day and do not forget to eat Smørrebrød.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland Guinness beer, Dublin and amazing landscape define Ireland pretty good. Although the weather was not as great as hoped for, Danielle and Jenni had a pretty awesome time on the Cliffs of Moher.
Rome, Italy Italy is a beautiful country, and you can go to the incredible beaches, wine tastings or visit the very high fashioned cities with different preserved historical monuments. When in Rome, Colosseum is definitely something you do not want to miss.
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Åre, Sweden Back in Sweden again, Danielle and Jenni decided to head north and this time they ended up in Åre for some skiing. Their semester was almost done and the winter was just around the corner. A perfect way to end their semester and their exchange time here in Jönköping, Sweden.
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Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm is known for its beautiful architecture, the old town, the amazing location by the water, Djurgården, the museum of ABBA and lots of other things, but what you might not know is that you can visit an ICEHOTEL as well. Here is what it looked like when Danielle and Jenni stopped by the icebar when staying in Stockholm for a couple of days.
Berlin, Germany Do like Danni and take a picture of Berlin, in Berlin. This city has many different places and tourist attractions, so whether you want to go for sightseeing or just sit in the sun, enjoying a cheap beer, this is a city well recommended.
Thank you Danielle and Jenni for inspiring us with an amazing trip with no less than eleven(!) countries and even more places. With these tips there is only one thing left to do; decide where your next destination will be.
Santorini, Greece After their first exams here at JIBS, they both decided to take another break and fly down to a warmer place. October is not known for having great weather here in Sweden, so a week in Santorini with sailing was a perfect way to celebrate their written exams.
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What is it like to be a new student at JIBS? Well, JIBS United Magazine sat down with two first year students, Malin Wiberg and Yuri Lazar, to reflect on their first year. Yuri is a civilekonom student, while Malin currently studies Marketing Management. They will offer you a glimpse of what it is like to be a new student. Each question we asked aims to focus on just one theme. The themes, among other things, include the kick-off, studying at JIBS and student-led activities, and are indicated by bold word(s) in the questions. What did you enjoy most about the kick-off? What tips would you give to new students to make the best of it? Malin:
The kick-off delivered an incredible atmosphere. People were friendly, open minded and excited to start this new adventure and the fadders (students responsible for the kickoff) were welcoming us kindly! Bring your best mood and take all opportunities to get to know the other students, both new and old. Most importantly, have fun!
Yuri:
The atmosphere was great and the activities were a lot of fun as well. My advice would be to participate in as many things as possible and not be afraid of just starting conversations with random people, they might just become your next best friends!
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How would you describe studying at university compared to high school? Are group projects usually part of courses at the university? What kind of strategy have you found to nail it? Malin:
The major difference is that at university, you need to take responsibilities for your own studies. There will be individual assignments, group projects, mandatory lectures as well as non-compulsory attendance at lectures. Mostly, you will decide over your own time. My strategy is to start early with projects, which gives me more time to study before exams. I recommend to find a “book-father” during or after the kickoff, which basically implies a person that you can buy all the books from.
Yuri:
No one is going to tell you what and when you have to do things anymore, which is great, but it also means a lot more responsibility to get things done on your own. You need to learn how to plan things and start doing your work in time. Not sure if I’ve really found out how to “nail it” exactly, but I think the best advice is to find the right people. It makes it so much easier and less frustrating to work with a group of people with the same goal and ambition as you.
How did you make friends? Any tips? Malin:
As mentioned before, the kick-off is a great opportunity to meet friends. Participate at lectures and school activities also provides you opportunities to get to know more people.
Yuri:
Being active and joining different organizations in and around the school is key, there’s plenty of activities you can engage in! Personally, I’m active in the school’s Investment Club, the Sports Association, a political organization outside of school (Moderata Studenter) as well as writing for this magazine, and it’s helped out a lot in finding other people with similar interests.
What activities did you find most interesting in your first year? JSA, student trips? Malin:
I’m active in Investment Club, head of external for JSA (the Jönköping Student Association) and I’m a student ambassador. There are activities for all people with different interest, from ice hockey, rowing to learning a new language.
Yuri:
I didn’t actually go on a student trip, but there is a lot of other fun things you can do! One of them was the Nextstep Career Fair, which includes various companies coming to campus and giving you the opportunity to talk to them, hand in a CV and even get to know more about them as employers. It’s great for networking and practicing job interviews, for example.
Getting student apartment or accommodation is a common challenge new students face. What would you advise new students to think about to get an apartment before joining the university?
Photograph: Yuri Lazar (to the left)
Malin:
I would recommend to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. There is a housing shortage in most cities in Sweden. You can find good information on Jönköping University’s website.
Yuri:
Just be open to anything, don’t be too picky at the start. If you’re offered a room that is at least kind of acceptable, take it! You might not get another chance and you don’t want to be stuck sleeping at the youth center the first few weeks. Try different things, start standing in line for apartments before you know if you’re accepted to the school, join the Facebook groups that offer housing, etc.
Photograph: Malin Wiberg
How would you describe your typical day? Yuri:
Not sure if there is such a thing as a typical day, but it might include going to a lecture from 10 to 12, get some groceries on the way home and get some schoolwork done when I’m there. Then depending on the day I might play some basketball, work my side job, meet with some friends or do some other activities.
What do you do in a typical day from when you wake up until you go to bed? Malin:
I often sleep until 8 am. I come to school around 9 am and study before the lecture which usually starts at 10 am. After lunch, I often meet up with a group for working on a group project. Around 3 pm, I start studying by myself and normally finish between 4 - 7 pm, depending on what day it is. I often have plans after school, for example, I either play pool at Shooters, chilling at the student bar “Jubel” followed by “Akademien” (the student club), or having a cozy dinner with friends.
How would you describe your first year? (in one word) Malin:
Awesome!
Yuri:
Exciting!
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TEXT: SIGRID GREEN SALMONSON PHOTOGRAPH: SPRING INSPIRATION
The 7th of April 2017 is the first warm spring day of the year, and what could be more suitable than an evening filled with entertainment and fashion? This year’s Spring Inspiration takes place at Kulturhuset Spira, in the heart of Jönköping and right by the shore of the lake Munksjön. The evening sun is warm this evening, and in the lobby and at the outside terrace, approximately 800 people mingle and create an atmosphere filled with joy and excitement. Spring inspiration celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, which is reflected in the theme of the year; the roaring twenties. It is no secret that the project
team has focused on everything that the 1920’s stood for; gold, glamour, luxury and party. A group of Charleston dancers open the show of 2017, followed by the unique spring collection created by the design team, which takes the audience 100 years back in time as the models dressed in gala dresses, suites and feathers enter the runway. The evening continues with performances by the talented artist Amanda Winberg, a diversity of clothes and a fire show that sure put the atmosphere at Spira this evening in flames. Suddenly, the clock turns 9 pm, and two hours filled with entertainment
have passed. But before the show ends, Daniel Marza and Caroline Erlandsson, hosts of the evening, have one more act to present. The project managers Cajsa Rimås and Ellinor Lönnström sparkle this evening in summery dresses and big smiles as they enter the stage. After a couple of thankful sentences to partners and the people sitting in the audience, the sound of the song “YOU” starts to rise. As the drop of the song fills the speakers on Spira, the team of Spring Inspiration run out on stage, dances and laughs together and ends the amazing show after 8 months of hard work. If you ask me, this is a night no one will forget.
Spring Inspiration is one of Scandinavia’s largest student driven fashion shows. It consists of students from Jönköping International Business School, who, besides studying, work at the project during 8 months. Spring Inspiration invites artists, entertainers and designers/stores, both local and national ones, to show their clothes at the annual fashion show. The fashion show usually takes place in April every year and attracts approximately 800 people, both large companies and private persons.
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Cajsa Rimås and Ellinor Lönnström are close friends, study together and hang out almost every day, they were also the project managers of Spring Inspiration 2017. When JIBS United met Cajsa and Ellinor, a couple of days had passed since the big fashion show.
How did you end up as project manager for Spring Inspiration 2017? Ellinor: When I read the post on Facebook that Spring Inspiration were looking for new project managers, the first thing that popped up in my head was: “Should I really apply? Am I really the right person for the role?”. It was both scary and fun to be a part of the process, but when I got the answer that I had got it, I got so happy. And it is by far the most fun thing I have ever done! Cajsa: For me it was different. I sat in the audience previous year with a “wow-feeling” and goosebumps during the entire show. But at that time, I was already a part of Sexkreation and though that I at least could apply to be a part of one of the teams. But, as Ellinor got the role, she was asked to find a partner and she asked me if I wanted to do it with her, which I got so happy about!
What does a project manager for Spring Inspiration do? Cajsa: We were the front figures of the project, had constant contact with JSA and partners, responsibilities of the team and made sure that everything in the project had a good flow. Ellinor: At the same, even though it is obvious what a project manager does, it might be hard to put words on it. You act as a leader for every team and single individual, and try to be “the spider in the net”, regardless of situation. What is so special about Spring Inspiration? Ellinor: The project is so much fun! You do not have to be interested in fashion or have any special skills, because you learn so much along the way. You get to know awesome people and be involved in something else than just school. Spring Inspiration is a project that everyone can apply to. You are not supposed to feel that you cannot apply to, for instance, the marketing team just because you do not know anything about marketing, you will learn it! Cajsa: The things that you learn in Spring Inspiration are something that you cannot learn in an education or from a book, because you get so much experiences. There are actually only two teams that are “fashion directed”, the design team and the model team. There are no special skills required, except that you should have fun and enjoy it. And even though it might seem scary to be involve in a project this big, it is a great opportunity for you, because you learn so much more than you think.
Cajsa: The role as project manager required more responsibility for the team than I thought it would. As a project manager, you have to make sure that everyone is happy and satisfied, and keeping the team together was hard. The most fun part for me has been to see every team work hard every day, and the process from day one to the day of the fashion show. Ellinor: Both yes and no. One thing that I did not think about at all was the part of being a front figure for the whole project. It was a big surprise when Cajsa told me that I am the one who is going to host every event and speak on stage on the big show. What is your golden tips for the coming project managers and team members of next year’s Spring Inspiration? 1. Do not worry, because in the end things will work out even though it does not seem like it. 2. Have discipline in everything you do and make sure to structure your work. 3. Take advantage of the time, enjoy the project and have fun!
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1. Why did you decide to become a team manager? 2. What was your major role as a team manager? 3. What has been the most fun of being a team manager according to you? 4. What is your golden tip for the next person that is going to take over your role?
1. It more or less just happened. I love organizing and I also love graphic design. I guess that is a good combination to be a manager of the graphic design team. 2. A lot was about scheduling, meeting deadlines and communicating with the project managers or getting songs right. All the creative projects were realized with everyone in the graphic team together. 3. Probably every manager will say this: But my graphic design team was amazing! We spent many hours in the computer labs to finish projects. The longer the nights have gotten our Swedish-English-German language mix was getting more and more creative. 4. Challenge yourself and your team – even if you have not done many of those things before, you will be surprised about what you can accomplish with your team!
1. I was ready for a new challenge, and marketing lies close to my heart. Regardless of the situation, I am often the one who plans, organizes and motivates. I simply enjoy being the spider in the web, so it felt natural to apply for the manager position. 2. To be the main link to the other managers and their teams, and to keep the marketing team organized and running smoothly. 3. To start from scratch and continuously see ideas being put into actions during 8 months. Last but not least, to be part of a creative and ambitious team that took initiatives, solved problems quickly, and supported each other. I often felt like a proud mother. 4. Do not be afraid to try new things or make mistakes! Our goal was to expand Spring Inspiration outside the walls of JĂśnkĂśping University: The theme release party was held at VY Skybar, we got featured in Femina, and fashion bloggers were invited to the show. We sometimes wanted to pull our hair out, but it was worth it in the end.
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1. I had previously been part of Spring Inspiration, but as a model. When starting at JIBS, I wanted to take it to experience it again, but on a different level, by becoming the manager of the model team. 2. My role was to organize everything when it came to the models, together with my team member, Paula Holmberg. This was the casting and to show what the models had to do during the different events by having practices. 3. Everything! The day of the casting was amazingly fun, meeting all the potential models and finally getting to choose them at the end of the day together with the other jury members. Having practices with all the amazing models and of course the show itself! 4. Planning. Where are you at and where do you want to be? Divide this into different steps and execute it. This is where you will reach your goal! And of course, do not forget to have fun! 1. I fell in love with Spring Inspiration 2016 after I had seen the show, so I just knew that I wanted to join the Spring Inspiration team 2017. My plan was not to be a manager, but when the PMs asked me if I wanted to be the design manager, I just thought that it would be a fun challenge. 2. To make sure that the design team was on track and held the deadlines for our different tasks. 3. Mainly, I just think that being a part of Spring Inspiration 2017 have been the best part (manager or not). 4. HAVE FUN! and‌ If your sewing machine stops working in the process of making Spring collection, do not panic! people in the audience will not see the bad seam lines that you did by hand, they can’t watch the clothes so closely.
1. I have always liked sales and been interested in working as a team to reach a goal. My mission with this year’s team was to reach a goal of collecting sponsors and tie connections with companies that will benefit Spring Inspiration for years to come. 2. My major role was to make sure every team member was motivated and hungry to contact new companies, and achieving successful collaborations with our partners. 3. Seeing the team develop and together reaching the goals we have been working towards. 4. Have fun, motivate your team and remember, everyone wants to eat, but only a few are willing to hunt!
1. Being active in school is something I have always been and it is a good way of getting to know new people and you learn many new things about yourself. Especially it is something to mix the studies with! My first year I was in the Social Committee, and I knew I was going to miss having something to do, so I applied! 2. I had the best team! They did what they were supposed to, and as a manager my biggest part was just to make sure we did not forget anything. 3. The responsibility. It is both intimidating and exciting to know that your decisions before and during the show is what makes it work. 4. Do not stress! Not even when things are going wrong, that will only bring down the team. Just remember that everything has a solution! Also: billigaballonger.se is the key to success!
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There’s over 350 students at JIBS that are engaged in extracurricular activities within JSA. We’ve talked with a few of the different projects, to see what they are up to lately. This is for you guys to get an insight into what you can get involved in at JIBS, because this university offers a lot more than just studying.
JSA INVESTMENT CLUB Our goal is to provide a platform where we can have something to offer all students at JIBS, no matter previous experience. The vision for the club is not only to be a social forum where you can network, cross the boarders between the different programs and semesters and meet new friends, but also a place where we can help you take your first steps in investing, sharpen your investment skills or meet new people with similar interests.
”TRADE TO LEARN, AIM TO WIN!”
Our doors are always open, just swing by the Investment Club in room B2018!
JUBEL is a pub run by students who love to meet new people, have a laugh, drink beer and hang out. Doesn’t matter if you are stressed over examinations coming up, on your way to AKA or if you just want to chill – you are always welcome to us! Beer, wine and cider together with snacks is served between 16-20 on Wednesday afternoons. The amazing crew behind the bar strives for you to have as much of a great time in front of the bar as we do behind it. We also love to host events on special occasions so you should always check our Facebook page to be in on the latest news. See you at JUBEL!
”HAVING A GREAT TIME SERVING BEERS! ”
How many team members are currently active in the project/ committee? There are currently seven active board members, responsible for administrating the JSA Investment Club, but then we have 130+ members that is our most valuable asset! What are some short-term and long-term goals for the project/ committee? Our goal is to develop our three main activities even more in order to offer something for everyone at JIBS, no matter previous experience. Starting with our introductory program, Investing for beginners, our intermediate analysis workshop Analytix and our professional Capital Management team
How many team members are currently active in the project/ committee? 21. What are some short-term and long-term goals for the project/ committee? Our goal, both short and long term, is to always have a great atmosphere and enjoyable time together with our guest but also among the crew.
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How many team members are currently active in the project/committee? We are currently six members in the team. We have two Project Managers who keep an eye on all the processes and then the rest of the team have one assigned position but they all help each other with everything. We feel it is the best way to structure the team since all the different positions in the team are equally fun to do and everybody can contribute through the year. What are some short-term and longterm goals for the project/committee? The short-term goal we had during Spring was to make the JSA Summer Ball 2017 even greater than the one in 2016 and better than the JSA Winter Banquet that we organized in November last year.
”SEEING THE JOY IN THE PEOPLE ATTENDING THE EVENTS MAKES THE WHOLE THING WORTHWHILE.”
The long-term goal that we have set up is to establish the right contacts and partnerships to ensure that the quality of the JSA Summer Ball and JSA Winter Banquet will be persistent for the coming years.
We aim to provide written content that is inspiring and entertaining through the talents of our team of writers. JIBS United magazine also has a design so beautiful that you will want to frame it, and hang it up in your apartment. Recruitments for the magazine usually takes place twice a year, one time during the fall semester and one time during the spring semester. We offer positions that include writers, proof readers, graphic designers, marketing managers, a managing director and the editor in chief. So if any of this seems interesting and you would like to join our talented team, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
JIBS UNITED MAGAZINE
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Being part of the JSA Ball Committee is a truly amazing experience. You get to work together with other people, towards a goal, and the reward is to be able to see the joy in people’s faces during the events. The experience you gain from planning events like these are many: it’s everything from working together with a sponsoring company, to book venues, to design posters or to establish a marketing strategy. The fact that everyone in the team contributes to all the different parts of the event is probably one of the key factors for the success of the JSA Winter Banquet 2016 and the JSA Summer Ball 2017.
”A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC IN PAPER FORM.” How many team members are currently active in the project/committee? 18 members. What are some short-term and longterm goals for the project/committee? Both long-term and short-term goals for JIBS United is to always deliver high-quality content with an eye-catching design. We want to get people talking and thinking when they read our magazine, and we want it to look so good that you want to have the magazine as a piece of interior in your home.
How many team members are currently active in the project/committee? Currently there are 5 members of Case Academy’s Crew, though we will be recruiting more members for the Crew during JSA’s Recruitment Week, right after Kick-Off. The Crew does not partake in any case competitions, rather we are the ones who work to bring in companies and organize cases for JIBS students.
JIBS Case Academy is dedicated to building a bridge between students and companies at Jönköping International Business School. Our goal is to prepare students for life after JIBS by developing their presentation and problem-solving skills as well as connecting ambitious students with innovative businesses.
What are some short-term and longterm goals for the project/committee? Short-term, we want to strengthen our presence at JIBS while also bringing in more exciting companies. Long-term, we want to become a staple of every student’s time at JIBS, bridging the gap between ambitious JIBSers and innovative firms, local and global!
”CASES TAKE YOU PLACES.”
Being the social committee of JIBS, we play an important part in the new students first time at Jönköping University. Our goal is to integrate the students in different social activities offered by the university. Sexkreation works very close with the JSA board, Student Union and the other faculties of Jönköping University. By working close together, we can offer all students a big variety of different events like sittnings, caps, language café, beer pong and most important – the kick off. Since we in Sexkreation are students ourselves, we know the importance of a social committee and their work at the school. The best part about being in Sexkreation is that we get to interact with new students every day, and know that our work will make their time here at Jönköping University as memorable as possible.
By joining the Crew, you will be a part of the team that strives to connect students and companies. However, that’s not the only way to involve yourself in Case Academy. Each semester Case Academy will organize case competitions alongside innovative and fun companies. These case competitions are open to all students at JIBS! Cases are a great experience that will teach you a ton about presenting and problem-solving as well as give you a chance to network with companies. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates on upcoming events!
”TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE.”
How many team members are currently active in the project/committee? We are currently 17 members in Sexkreation 2017. What are some short-term and longterm goals for the project/committee? Our goals in Sexkreation this year is to involve students in different social activities both on campus and off campus. This fall we’ll recruit the new members for Sexkreation 2018 and we are also having our Halloween sittning.
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Whether it’s your first time at JU or you’re a returning student, there are always plenty of activities and groups to get involved with. We have everything here, from sports to E-sports, sustainability and human rights groups, programming clubs and business ventures. Maybe one day you feel like tackling the next big role in a play, or perhaps getting connected with social entrepreneurs from across the world! Check out our list of some of the student clubs and find what fits your forte.
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Amnesty International JU
Interested in human right and activism? Amnesty International is a global movement that campaigns to end abuses of human rights. As a member of this school group, you are part of a community of people who make a difference, and who care about dignity, solidarity and justice. You are part of a movement that gives hope to the human rights defenders that inspire us, and together we change the world.
JURA
The Jönköping University Rowing Association provides students with the chance to learn rowing from seasoned professionals. You can row for fun or for competitions, but either way it’s a great workout.
Cacheflow
For those who are interested in computers and programming, Cacheflow provides a lively forum, where you can discuss and implement interesting projects and foster your creativity.
GlobE (Global Experience)
GlobE is a non-profit organization based around two ideas: sustainability and business. The focus is to provide students with hands-on professional experience, while showing that sustainability isn’t just about charity, but is beneficial to all parties involved. Join GlobE and get connected with social entrepreneurs around the world.
JISC
JISC works with helping students hone their professional skills and expand their networks, while working in a group to provide market research, product testing and other services to organizations across the world.
Students for Sustainable Action
The SSA is a group of students from Jönköping University who are interested in sustainability as a whole concept, encompassing the three principles of the triple bottom line: social sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Submit your own projects or get involved with what’s already happening in the SSA and make the world a better place.
JUSTICE
If you’re interested in gaming, be sure to check out the E-Sports club Justice. This associating does everything from training to LAN parties, so grab your games and join!
WestCoast Nation
Sittnings, sittnings, sittnings! They will take over your life, and WestCoast Nation is the club that organizes some fun Swedish sittnings. Have your first Räkfrossa and taco night, be sure to check out this club if you want to get involved with fun socializing.
Spectra
Spectra is an organization dedicated to enforcing equality and anti-discrimination, working for human rights based on the seven prohibited discrimination grounds. If you’re passionate about equality this is the club for you.
Elektronikföreningen
For those of you who are interested in IT, programming, electronics and computers, this is the club for you! Here you can develop more knowledge and pass around ideas for all your programming dreams.
JUSA
The Jönköping University Sports Association has plenty to offer, including but not limited to volleyball, rowing, swimming, badminton and hockey. The goal of JUSA is to offer healthy, fun and exciting activities for students in their spare time.
ESN Jönköping
ESN is here to represent international students in order to foster cultural understanding, and international mobility.
Showtime
Showtime is a theater club for students who love to act, dance and sing. From improv to musicals, there is always something fun and interesting to participate in. Showtime puts on a show at least once per semester, so be sure to check out what’s coming out next. No matter where your interests lie there will always be a great club for you to join. Be sure to get involved and stay active aside from your studies, making new friends and finding new interests along the way! More information about all the different clubs can be found on the Student Union’s webpage.
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Bateel is a cozy café just a stone’s throw from busy Oxford Street in London and that is where Mitesh and I decided to meet for this interview. One of the first things I noticed about Mitesh was that he seemed very excited to have the opportunity to talk about his journey and how he got to where he is today. When we sat down at Bateel on New Bond Street, he seemed very relaxed, something I’ve noticed isn’t that common when you live in a big city like London. It seemed like he had found London’s charm despite working above one of the busiest streets in the world; the stress didn’t seem to get to him. Mitesh was among the first bunch of students who got accepted into the International Management program at
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JIBS in 2007. Today he works at SRLV Accountants, one of London’s top 50 accounting firms within the music and entertainment industry, managing his own team. Mitesh had to work really hard to get to the position he has today. He started out as a team assistant, striving over the course of almost seven years to become a manager, now responsible for his own team of 4 employees: an undeniable example that hard work does pay off.
every day to catch up on the jobs/to-do list. That is something that keeps him on his toes. Although a lot of other things crop up during the day which definitely makes what he does on a day-to-day basis a juggling act, he loves every second of it. This is something that is really inspiring because I feel like most of us want to have a career that we love and a job that we love to go to every single day.
There is no such thing as a typical day for Mitesh, as no one day at work is the same, one of the main reasons why he loves going to work every day. One of his favorite things to do is sitting down with his team and engagement partner
A career in accounting wasn’t always such an obvious choice for Mitesh. He wanted to be a teacher when he was younger because of his father who was a teacher and headmaster at a primary school in Mombasa (Kenya).
Name: Mitesh Parmar Age: 34 Interests: Technology, cooking, going for long drives, and music Education at JIBS: Bachelor in International Management (2007 - 2010) Other Qualifications: ACCA member (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Current Position: Accountant
Do not restrict yourself when it comes to a career. Keep your options open. Do your research (carve out a niche for yourself ). Work hard because nothing comes without hard work and all that hard work you put in will definitely be worth it.
After a few years trying to figure out what he wanted to study, both in England and in Kenya where he’s originally from, Mitesh decided to apply to JIBS. Sweden wasn’t so far off as it might seem because his sister lived in Lund, but Mitesh decided that he wanted to go somewhere where he didn’t know anyone and that’s when he found the International Management program in Jönköping. The rest is history. At JIBS, Mitesh, like so many other students, wanted to get involved in extracurricular activities. He was the head of the elections committee at JIBS and represented JIBS at the Student Union, while also working as a teaching assistant for the Basic Financial Accounting course at the university. All of this was very helpful for him in building confidence and getting some practical experience, but he says that the main thing that stuck with him from JIBS is teamwork. All the group projects during his time at JIBS and the teamwork that were involved with the extracurricular
activities definitely prepared him for his future employment. This is something we all should have in mind when trying to figure out group projects. According to Mitesh, working in a group/ team helps you understand how groups works, the dynamics around it, managing expectations of individuals and as a whole team/group, and when to lead and when it’s necessary sometimes to be led by other group members. All helpful tips that I’ll keep in mind when trying to manage all the different group projects coming up. One thing that Mitesh makes very clear is that it’s important to do your research when you’re applying for a job. He didn’t have an accounting qualification when he first started at SRLV, and the only experience he had within accounting was the basic financial accounting course at JIBS and working as an audit trainee at Grant Thornton in Mombasa (Kenya) before he started at JIBS. But he did his research beforehand and came prepared for the interview, which
most likely did all the difference in the world and now he has his accounting qualification in ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a global professional accounting body) and loves what he does at SRLV. He also mentioned that including “Studied in Sweden” on his resume was one of the things that sparked an interest with his current employer. So, by deciding to study at JIBS you’ve already made a great decision for your future. I found the tips that Mitesh wanted to share with the students at JIBS extremely helpful and insightful, especially the one about not restricting yourself when it comes to a career. He said that it’s important to keep your options open and that’s the main thing that really stuck with me from our conversation. I may not know exactly what I want to do after graduating from JIBS, but one thing is for sure, if I’m as excited about my job in the future as Mitesh is about his job after nearly seven years, I will definitely consider myself very lucky.
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Here are some tips and tricks to keep you in the loop if you want to escape the rainy autumn days or the quickly approaching winter blues. I am pretty sure we can all agree that there is nothing better than hopping on a train and heading somewhere new. Jรถnkรถping Student Union offers a handful of opportunities to visit neighbouring countries and discover their hidden gems. They usually team up with tour operators to provide the best possible experience. Rest assured, seeing the cities through the eyes of local guides will get the most out of your time. And best of all? You will undoubtedly return with treasured memories.
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Copenhagen is just a short train ride away from Jonkoping and definitely worth a visit. Especially during Halloween when the city is dressed in Halloween themed decoration while frightening screams and haunting, creepy laughter linger in the air. The Tivoli amusement park is turned into a spooky funfair with zombies, ghosts and other spine-chilling creatures which attract thrill-seekers from all around the world. The gardens’ vibrant colors are also worth mentioning as the reddish-brown, yellow leaves make the capital look like a magical oil painting. You can also stroll around the city and experience the beautiful Nyhavn, the most picturesque part of Copenhagen. The colorful buildings and cobbled streets provide a relaxing atmosphere and not least, it is a great backdrop for taking photos. As t he temperature usually drops this time of the year and wandering around the city can be exhausting, warming up in a local coffee house and experiencing the Danish hygge is a perfect way to take a break from the chilly weather. Sip on some freshly brewed coffee, munch on Danish pastries and enjoy the local vibes. This trip is a 2 day getaway and usually runs in mid-autumn. Needless to say, Norway is world-famous for its breathtaking views and spectacular fjords. A long boat trip on the Sogne Fjord and hiking the blue glacier Nigardsbreen is just a few of many exciting activities that are waiting for JU students. This is a perfect opportunity for outdoorsy persons to enjoy the nature and the marvelous sceneries. And although it’s most suitable for those who are very fond of outdoor activities, there is always something for everyone! A visit to Bergen is also included in the package where you can experience the charming little town while getting a taste of the Norwegian atmosphere. You can also explore the city on your own and discover the urban attractions. This is a 6 day journey and is usually offered in September and May.
And hey, who wouldn’t love to meet Santa? Without a doubt, our inner child would immediately say yes. Most of us have this lifelong dream to meet this chubby, joyful old man along with their little helpers. Seeing the Aurora Borealis is probably another thing that is sitting on almost everyone’s ever-growing bucket list. For this reason, I would say that this is the ultimate winter adventure if you are looking for one. As the temperatures usually drop below freezing point, you can give the Finnish way of handling cold a whirl and revel in the unique activities. Indulging yourself by dipping in the alluring snow after a sauna bath is just one of many ways you can enjoy this whiteness that covers everything as far as the eyes can see. Hanging out with reindeers and trying out husky riding is also a must if you travel to the Arctic Circle; and so is sledging. This trip is generally organized twice a year and lasts for 6 days.
EXPLORE FEW OF THE BALTIC STATES AND A selfie with Lenin, anyone? Jokes aside, Russia is another hit when it comes to going away. Indeed, taking a plunge by visiting the astonishing county is not something you would do every day. Party on the ferry, take a limousine tour around the city with a bottle of champagne or visit the Catherine Palace where Anastasia used to live. And if you are feeling a little peckish, there are tons of mouth-watering dishes you could try; like their beetroot soup or their Stroganoff. On top of that, you also get a chance to spend an afternoon in Tallinn and stroll around Helsinki’s smooth, grey streets that are cracked with age.
These tours are organized by Jönköping Student Union and you can visit them at Kårhuset or go on to their website for more information. Surely, this is a great opportunity to get to know students outside of JIBS and mingle a wee bit. And you know, saying yes to adventures will definitely help you recharge your batteries!
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It was half past 8 when I finally reached Jönköping after traveling for more than 28 hours. With two bags and armed with my smartphone’s map, I waited at the Central Station for the university’s pick-up service. I sat on a table and started eating my second sandwich that I bought at Stockholm Arlanda Airport during the afternoon. I was quite aware of the size of Jönköping so I did not expect to find hundreds of restaurants in this city. Amazingly, despite staying almost a year and eating out at numerous restaurants, my list of “restaurants to be explored” is still very long! Though Jönköping is a small city it offers a wide variety of food options for any foodie. While you cannot find a Michelin star restaurant here, you can always discover places that offer you a friendly welcome, delicious food, and cozy environment to hangout with your friends.
Breakfast aka Frukost
When it comes to lunch buffets, my favorite place is Rosegarden NEO tioned this restaurant as their favorite Asian Restaurant located in the city breakfast destination. A cheaper option center. For 100 SEK you can taste an is Bernards Atollen, which resides next amazing sushi platter with more than to the bus stop Östra Centrum. Berfifteen types of Thai and Continental nards Atollen offers a breakfast buffet dishes, dim sum, salad, ice cream, soft for 89 SEK. Last but not least on my list drink, and a coffee/tea. Amazing isn’t (a personal favorite due to its amazing it? If you are craving for some authentic view of Indian curries, take a 5-minute walk from Rosegarden and you will reach Munksjön) ! QUICK TIP is Bryggan Maharaja Restaurant just Jönköping has a couple of dedicated Café and beside Stadsbiblioteket (City sushi bars such as Sushi Yama and Bistro which Library). Being a student Sushi #036. from the Indian subcontioffers a regunent, I truly connect with this restaular breakfast buffet during the weekday costing 79 SEK as well as a special rant as its amazing lunch menu offers breakfast buffer during the weekends authentic Indian flavors. To experience costing a few extra SEK. this authentic Indian cuisine alongside a drink and coffee you have to pay 69
Though the majority of restaurants have different opening hours, one can easily find several places around the city Lunch center to enjoy a healthy breakfast over Lunch tends to be the most common a cup of coffee or tea. The most popular time for students to dine out. There in this regard would be Vox Restaurant are hardly any restaurants in Jönköat Vox Hotel. It offers a large breakping who do not offer a scrumptious fast buffet including a spread of fruits, lunch buffet during the weekdays. The bread, healthy drinks, and much more average price for lunch around the city for a price of 135 SEK. Though it’s an center ranges from 69 SEK to 100 SEK, expensive choice usually coming with a soft drink of to make early your choice, dessert, and hot beverage. ! QUICK TIP in the morning, The great thing is that Operating hours for restaurants people who have usually varies from one another. Keep student discounts are tried the breakfast this in mind when planning to visit a offered during lunch-tiat Vox have menme at most of the restaurant.
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restaurants and pizzerias. Even if you aren’t planning on asking for a student discount, most of the time the cashier will ask you, “Are you a student?”
SEK. Otherwise you can find restaurants offering Thai and Chinese cuisine close to Juneporten where the price ranges around 80 SEK to 95 SEK. Kebab lovers can choose between hundreds of pizzerias around Jönköping offering a Kebab Tallrik med ris/pommes (Kebab Platter with rice or fries). Buying lunch from the supermarket is also very common practice in Sweden.
! QUICK TIP
Don’t forget to try Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs) and mashed potato at Ikea. This is a MUST!
Shellfish Platter De Luxe are two of the premium platters offered by Pescadores. Glädje is another popular restaurant among the locals offering a great dinner at a convenient price. For burger lovers, Bada Bing, Twin City, and Brooklyn Burger are must go places. They offer wide ranges of juicy burgers with a range of sides like fries, salad, and drinks. Finally, if you want to taste some original Italian pizza or pasta you have to go to La Locandiera at the city center. This restaurant is operated by Italian chefs. Margherita, Calzone, and Regina are few of the most popular pizzas offered by this restaurant.
! QUICK TIP
“Afterwork” is a popular term in Swedish gastronomy. This refers to joining friends for a drink at restaurants at Friday afternoon, literally after work. Restaurants in Jönköping offer very good “afterwork” menus often in a buffet style at very convenient prices. Keep an eye out for this!
Dinner
Going out for a dinner can be a bit expensive compared to earlier options. Most of the time you have to order À la carte or chef’s special menu. However, this does not limit your choices as you will still end up having to choose between hundreds of dishes around the city. After a hectic day full of classes, assignments, and group meetings you deserve delicious food and a nice drink with your friends. When asked for their favorite dinner place most of my local friends voted for Pescadores near Tändsticksmuseet (the Match Museum), a seafood restaurant. Tapas a’la Pecsadores and the
! QUICK TIP
On Fridays and Saturdays, you will find that restaurants around Juneporten are kept open until 3 am. After a great party you can always visit one of these restaurants and have some pasta or burgers with your friends. If these don’t suit your needs, McDonald’s at Kampavägen is another option for fighting your midnight hunger.
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Cheers to new discoveries, experiences and life memories! Some journeys you start alone, like the one after you accept your spot to JIBS. You use what you’ve got under your belt, to keep your head straight and your shoulders light. But rest assured, this is not a journey where you continue riding solo. After experiencing a helluva kick-off together with other greenhorns, you will experience hellish group assignments‌ Nothing brings you closer to someone than sharing the same struggles, whether it is studying together to pass exams or deciding where to pre-party. We are in this together, united. Welcome to the JIBS Student Association! My journey has almost reached its end, presidentially speaking. When I look back, I get amazed by everything that has passed my way. Without any previous experience of collective activities, I first spontaneously applied to become a board member of RE-ACT, which is a student club on JU focused on corporate sustainability. My restless soul was looking for stimulus
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and got it. In addition to have gained valuable experience, it turned out I found friends for a lifetime. I seem to be prone to spontaneity, because all in a jiffy I later applied for the role as Vice President of JSA and got that too. Besides having gained more valuable experience and knowledge, I found a second family. The unexpected twists and turns are what makes the time at JIBS amusing. It is the time for new discoveries, experiences and life memories. I am grateful for my time here, and the opportunities I have been given. A special hug to ALL of you wonderful and inspirational people in the JSA team that I have been fortunate to have been able to work with. Yours truly, Nhat Linh
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PHOTOGRAPH: RAMIN GOLROKH ramingolrokh.com