For three years, Janina and Alessandro Torres planned their move to Sweden from Spain. They visited Norrbotten in different seasons and studied Swedish. In May, Janina started her position as a doctor at Lärkan Health Center, where she uses several languages every day.
Janina and Alessandro both had jobs they enjoyed in Spain—she as a doctor, he in IT.
“But in Spain, as a doctor you have about five minutes per patient,” says Janina, and Alessandro explains that they both worked such long days that they only saw each other for brief moments.
They began consciously looking for a country where they could both practice their professions but also have a good life outside of work.
“First we looked at Germany, but then we visited friends in Falun. We felt that we loved Sweden, the environment and the people here. But where in Sweden should we live? We searched from north to south and really felt that we liked Norrbotten. Our friends in Spain thought we were crazy,” they say, laughing.
Tested the seasons
But they left nothing to chance. Systematically, they visited Boden several times and during different seasons to really make sure they would enjoy it. During their winter visit, it was minus 25 degrees and they had northern lights every evening! Alessandro, who comes from the Italian Alps in northern Italy, immediately felt at home in the winter environment here. Janina is from Valencia in Spain but felt she would like to live in a smaller city.
To be ready for the Swedish job market, they studied Swedish intensively in Spain for a whole year. They even had the same Swedish teacher as the Spanish teachers who have moved to or are preparing for jobs in Boden.
International workplace
At the end of April, Janina and Alessandro moved to Sweden, and in early May, Janina stepped right into her position at Lärkan in Boden and could start working immediately.
“I love the work environment there, I enjoy being there and all my colleagues make my days easier,” says Janina.
Lärkan not only has an international workforce—the patients also come from a wide variety of nationalities. Having a breadth of language skills is a great asset.
“Every day I speak two or three different languages. Including Swedish,” says Janina.
Alessandro got a job with a Stockholm company and works remotely from the north. He’s considering getting an office in Boden and will look at the coworking options available both downtown and at Boden Business Park.
The couple recently attended Boden’s international after-work event and quickly made new acquaintances in Boden and received tips and further help. The couple actively uses their free time to explore the area and looks forward to experiencing winter, skiing, and more. And eventually they hope to find a house here in Boden. We say a warm welcome!
Text: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
