The Van Der Bijl family has swapped South Africa for Boden. They came for father Johan Van Der Bijl’s job at H2 Green Steel. What makes them stay is the natural hospitality, new friends, and a secure everyday life.
“We want to stay here forever”, says Lynette Van Der Bijl resolutely.
The sun shines, and the apple trees bloom in the garden that has transformed from snow-covered to green at the Van Der Bijl family’s home in the Torpgärdan residential area in Boden. On this special day, two neighbors have “dropped by,” as we say here in Boden. Lynette offers refreshing iced tea and South African banana bread in the shade on the terrace. Immediately, baking and comparing recipes from different countries become the topic of conversation. The neighbor across the street, Anki Karlsson, previously introduced the family to the concept of sandwich cake. Maria von Schantz, a bit further down the street, taught the Van Der Bijl daughters to bake Swedish cinnamon buns and treated them to Swedish Christmas food. Her son owns the house the South African family rents, and her role as a contact person for the landlord has grown into a friendship.
“I had an image that people here would be quiet and difficult to approach, but that’s not true at all. Everyone is so fantastically welcoming, friendly, and helpful. They greet, stop, and chat spontaneously even though we’ve never met before,” says Lynette.
GOOD NEIGHBORS
Lynette’s first meeting with Anki was when Lynette was outside struggling with the snow shortly after they had moved here.
“She probably saw that I was having a hard time and came over to ask if I wanted her to show me how to do it,” Lynette laughs.
Anki gave a quick lesson in classic snow shoveling techniques and also provided tips on good tools, how to use them, and where to buy them. During her visit, she also noticed that the family lacked furniture because the transport from South Africa had been delayed.
“She just said, ‘We have furniture, come and borrow what you need.’ Then, when the snow started to melt, she offered to show us what’s growing in the garden,” says Lynette, who is incredibly grateful for the spontaneous generosity.
“It’s natural to help each other. They’ve helped me too, when I broke my arm,” smiles Anki, who thinks it’s only positive to have new neighbors and diversity in the neighborhood.
“Having a good relationship with your neighbors gives so much back,” she believes.
Maria also points out the added value of the new skills that come with the newcomers.
“Without their services and expertise, we might not be able to carry out the green transition here.”
NEW SOCIAL LIFE
The Van Der Bijl family’s daughter, Cara, has just finished her first year in Björknäsgymnasiet’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
“I have a whole new life here. In South Africa, I was almost never outside. Here in Boden, I have made many new friends, and we can bike to each other. That was not possible in South Africa,” Cara explains.
Mom Lynette adds that at first, they were horrified that their daughter was expected to take the bus to school.
“In South Africa, it would have been unthinkable because of safety concerns,” says Lynette, who soon realized that many take the bus here and that Boden’s safety greatly impacts life and daily routines.
INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Johan Van Der Bijl, whose job was the reason for the family’s move, has commuted from the family to large construction projects around the world for many years. His most recent project was in Liberia. Before the next assignment, the family felt they wanted to be together and, for the first time, follow him. There were opportunities in several places around the world, but several factors made them choose Boden.
Cara’s interest was one of the most decisive reasons. Cara is interested in gaming and had read about the game development programs available in Boden. She saw the opportunity to continue her studies at Boden Game Camp after high school. Today, she has her own gaming corner in the basement of their house in Boden.
LANGUAGE AND EMPLOYMENT
Lynette had a career as a photographer for many years but was prepared to start from scratch in a new place to share everyday life with her husband.
“In the beginning, the most important thing was that our daughter was doing well and that the house was in order,” she explains.
The sign “home” on the bookshelf, with rugs, furniture, and paintings from South Africa, signifies that this is their “home” now.
“I told Johan that if we are to stay here longer than two years, I don’t want to rent skis, I want to buy them,” Lynette laughs, after testing the slopes at Storklinten, guided by one of Boden’s relocation hosts.
She has now attended SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) for some time and can converse in Swedish, perhaps best of all in the family, as both her husband and daughter speak English in daily life. Lynette has also gotten involved in Yalla Boden, a social enterprise focusing on immigrant women. She attends language cafés and international afterwork events and has started laying the groundwork to open her photography business in Boden. She has also become a natural link for other families from the South African team that is gradually growing in Boden.
“I try to give tips and inform about what we have learned here, what is good to know and think about,” she explains.
FAMILY CLOSE BY
In Boden, we often say we live a life of proximity, that we are close to everything important. For Johan Van Der Bijl, it means being able to combine his job as a site manager at Boden Industrial Park with having breakfast, dinner, and free time with his family. He has led large construction projects in other parts of the world but always traveled alone and commuted home. Now, he lives permanently in the place where he is helping to create the foundation for one of the largest investments in history here, the green steel mill H2 Green Steel.
– My previous experience working abroad required me to be away from my family for long periods. Reuniting in Boden has rekindled our relationship, and it feels like my wife is my best friend again. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be together again. Living and working here has been fantastic. The surroundings are incredibly beautiful and the people are very friendly, says Johan.
The Swedish weather has been the most significant difference for him compared to other places he has worked.
– The winter period is tough but beautiful and enjoyable, especially since we have started skiing. Summer brings additional benefits with its long days, providing plenty of time to spend outdoors after work, for example.
So far, in addition to skiing and exploring the area, they have also managed to see the northern lights, the midnight sun, and participate in their first National Day and Midsummer celebration.
– This summer, our daughter Annika and Johan’s parents from South Africa are coming here. We are looking forward to traveling and seeing Sweden and Norrbotten together, concludes Lynette.
TEXT: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
