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The Local _ Jobs _ Moving to Stockholm at a young age
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 03:58 AM
Hello,
I am a young man (almost 19) from Europe who finished highschool and is currently in the process of saving up money in order to move to Stockholm, where my gf lives. My plan is to study my bachelors in Sweden, in Swedish, and for that I'd have to live for at least a year in Sweden I believe, before I can get to sufficient level of Swedish.
I've seen all the criticism and negativity towards Sweden here, don't try to convince me why to NOT do it, but rather help me see how I can do it despite all the difficulties.
I'll need to find a job which will hire me despite not having the best Swedish (it is and will remain a work in progress until some time after I settle I believe).
I'd honestly take any job, no matter the shifts or how boring it might be as long as it'll pay the bills and help me achieve my goals.
I was thinking about going to the European Bartender school and then looking for a job in bars. But I figured I'd ask about it here as well.
The only work experience I have is a few months in a restaurant in the middle of nowhere.
Any advice would be massively appreciated.
Also, I will be in Stockholm for a month in January to see how it is, so any advice on what to check during that period will be highly appreciated.
Posted by: Mpf 10.Dec.2020, 09:22 AM
I know you say that we shouldn't try and convince you NOT to come, and I'm not but when it comes to jobs, especially those in the hospitality industry one must remember that we are currently in the throws of a pandemic. Although there is no lockdown in Sweden the entertainment industry, like many other industries has been hit hard and there is an abundance of out of work bar tenders out there! There are probably thousands of out of work unskilled workers out there so finding a job, especially with limited language skills might prove difficult.
That said, I would agree with you, that this site can be quite negative especially towards newcomers, and many have had bad experiences, but it is not all doom and gloom. Some of us have had a good transition from one EU country to another and I am enjoying my time here, having been here nearly 14 years.
I'm sorry I can't be more positive, but I wish you all the luck in the world, as you'll probably need it and hope you get what you want.
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 09:42 AM
I'm pro sweden etc.. but aged just 19 I'd have to ask why sweden?
Your plan isn't impossible, but to say it's going to be tough is probably an understatement. You'll need to have funds to support yourself, find accommodation, pass the language test, get your uni place etc.. these individually are major obstacles.
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 10.Dec.2020, 01:19 PM
Your plan isn't impossible, but to say it's going to be tough is probably an understatement. You'll need to have funds to support yourself, find accommodation, pass the language test, get your uni place etc.. these individually are major obstacles.
+1 and then some!
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 03:12 PM
Yes I do understand that and I don't expect the situation to fully resolve itself by the time I move (which I hope is around half a year, I should have enough money by then). Hence I am not locked into any job, I'd take any.
But thank you for your kind words.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 03:17 PM
Your plan isn't impossible, but to say it's going to be tough is probably an understatement. You'll need to have funds to support yourself, find accommodation, pass the language test, get your uni place etc.. these individually are major obstacles.
I don't mean to be rude but I feel like your first question is irrelevant.
I do believe that eventually I'll get all those things you mentioned however my absolute biggest concern is finding a job to support myself so I don't burn all my savings, while I study the language to an academic level.
So ANY advice regarding jobs would be highly appreciated.
Posted by: ChocOwl 10.Dec.2020, 03:22 PM
The time it takes to learn Swedish is extremely individual and depends on many factors. It would theoretically be possible to learn sufficient Swedish to study at university level before even moving here.
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 03:36 PM
I do believe that eventually I'll get all those things you mentioned however my absolute biggest concern is finding a job to support myself so I don't burn all my savings, while I study the language to an academic level.
So ANY advice regarding jobs would be highly appreciated.
If you can't explain in one sentence why you want to move to sweden, then I'd suggest you are doomed to fail.
All the different stages i cited are a major challenge, without some over arching motivation to see you through it, it ain't going to happen.
Getting a job in the next 2 years will be near impossible. Unemployment and business closures haven't peaked yet. I wouldn't come to Sweden with your plan unless I had at least 300,000krona in the bank to see me through.
Language etc etc...
Posted by: Essingen55 10.Dec.2020, 04:12 PM
Well that is a good start. But I have been here for 30 years and I am far from certain that I would make the move at this stage, given what has happened during that time. You may find it irritating, but the people on here are right to warn you.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 04:17 PM
Theoretically yes, however despite that fact that I don't really have a hard time with languages, I'm still not quite sure it's doable for me, at least not in a quick enough way.
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 04:22 PM
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 04:25 PM
I do understand where you're coming from however it's not that I can't explain my motivation but rather I didn't come here to explain my motivation, I came here to get tips and advice.
I know, and I will have that amount (already have a bit more than half of it), only that one half is intended to use only incase of emergency, hence I'll need to find a job before I burn one half.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 04:26 PM
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 04:28 PM
I understand and I'm used to it as I've been warned about it for as long as I can remember.
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 04:50 PM
I know, and I will have that amount (already have a bit more than half of it), only that one half is intended to use only incase of emergency, hence I'll need to find a job before I burn one half.
The streets of Stockholm aren't paved in gold anymore than London or Paris, to settle in a new country and be happy you really need to have some reason for go there and to help you through the hardships that will follow.
Even before covid getting a part time unskilled job in sweden was tough, easily the toughest market, you are competing against the entire EU and every non EU migrant. Today, with covid and the looming recession, it's a near impossible task. There will be no shortage of fluent Swedish speakers looking for bar work, never mind folk like yourself.
If you really want to get anywhere in sweden, stay where you are, get your degree in a field in demand in sweden, learn Swedish, get a job where ever you are now in a multinational etc. Then come.
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 04:55 PM
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 05:00 PM
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 05:02 PM
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 05:13 PM
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 05:20 PM
But I will be looking for a full time one.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 05:23 PM
Well that's where you're wrong. I'm going in knowing that there's a chance that due to all of my disadvantages, there's a chance I won't succeed at first.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 05:25 PM
It will be quite some time (at least half a year) until I move and until then I believe I will be able to speak Swedish. Probably not in the best way though.
Also I am planning on seeing if there is any Swedish course available during the month I'll spend in Stockholm.
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 05:25 PM
That doesn't change anything. Look at the unemployment rate for under 25 yr old non native swedes who don't speak Swedish. Do a search for jobs. It's good Swedish practice if nothing else.
Many businesses in the food, drink and hotel industry won't make it through the winter. Even the biggest with reserves and a brand to borrow against are struggling.
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 05:26 PM
Posted by: bonviveur 10.Dec.2020, 05:44 PM
just go for it, in my opinion any capital city in europe have opportunities to thrive, and Stockholm is no different, you can always leave if you do not like it here
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 06:01 PM
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 06:23 PM
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 06:26 PM
Posted by: Martin565 10.Dec.2020, 06:30 PM
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 10.Dec.2020, 08:12 PM
You got that but you didn't like the advice. It's common for people to be miffed at not getting the answer to a question that they want.
It seems to me you are looking for reasons to do what you want to do rather than genuine help.
Like the other's who have answered you, I have been here a long time (20+ years) and I doubt very much you will be at university level Swedish in the time frame you mention and getting a job here is damn hard before Covid let alone now.
You'll do what you want to do but listen to the advice offered by the other guys. It's sensible and good.
Posted by: daniel812002 10.Dec.2020, 08:35 PM
Posted by: Guest 10.Dec.2020, 08:40 PM
Posted by: ChocOwl 11.Dec.2020, 10:38 AM
I mostly wrote my comment as a counterbalance to the (expected) comments that it takes many many years to learn Swedish. That can also be true, it depends on the learner...
Posted by: Martin565 11.Dec.2020, 11:21 AM
Posted by: Martin565 11.Dec.2020, 11:24 AM
Posted by: Mpf 11.Dec.2020, 11:47 AM
As expected there is much negativity here from someone who was looking for advice. Obviously they have their reasons and is truing to get ahead of the curve and forums like this shouldn't be geared towards bashing someone because of the negative issues you have encountered.
As with any major move, there are always highs and lows, good and bad experiences and I understand that people want to point out the pitfalls, especially those which posters might have encountered themselves.
Not everything is doom and gloom though. I for one have no regrets about moving here back in 2007. I moved here with no real savings. Was in receipt of a couple of work related pensions and what I could fit in my car.
Before moving here I must have applied for hundreds of jobs and received all but one reply and that was for the British Embassy. I did pick up a job pretty quickly though, not through an application but through networking. The job found me rather than the me finding the job and have been there ever since. I still do not speak Swedish, not something I am proud of but my job does not require me to use it and home life is all English!
Even without the language I have still managed to buy and sell cars and houses and do everything in between. Life is what YOU make it. If you work hard and stick with it and know what it is you want to achieve anything is possible. Sure there will be times when you get knocked back or down but you need to learn from your experiences.
Someone else mentioned on here not to look the gift horse in the mouth, and that's true. Yes some people have been negative, but maybe they have your best interests at heart you want to warn you of the pit falls and issues you might encounter.
I wish you all the luck in the world and follow your dreams. Life is short and if you don't try you will die wondering - what if?
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 11.Dec.2020, 08:46 PM
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 11.Dec.2020, 08:49 PM
As with any major move, there are always highs and lows, good and bad experiences and I understand that people want to point out the pitfalls, especially those which posters might have encountered themselves.
Not everything is doom and gloom though. I for one have no regrets about moving here back in 2007. I moved here with no real savings. Was in receipt of a couple of work related pensions and what I could fit in my car.
Before moving here I must have applied for hundreds of jobs and received all but one reply and that was for the British Embassy. I did pick up a job pretty quickly though, not through an application but through networking. The job found me rather than the me finding the job and have been there ever since. I still do not speak Swedish, not something I am proud of but my job does not require me to use it and home life is all English!
Even without the language I have still managed to buy and sell cars and houses and do everything in between. Life is what YOU make it. If you work hard and stick with it and know what it is you want to achieve anything is possible. Sure there will be times when you get knocked back or down but you need to learn from your experiences.
Someone else mentioned on here not to look the gift horse in the mouth, and that's true. Yes some people have been negative, but maybe they have your best interests at heart you want to warn you of the pit falls and issues you might encounter.
I wish you all the luck in the world and follow your dreams. Life is short and if you don't try you will die wondering - what if?
You seem to know it all so why are you asking for advice? You only seem to want to hear "positive" things so just do what you want to do. None of us here will be living your life so ignore all of us that are not telling you what you want to hear and listen to the people who are.
Some people call other people cynical, negative or whatever. I prefer realist, honest and so on. You pay your money you take your choice.
Your life, your fuck up.
Posted by: Martin565 11.Dec.2020, 10:20 PM
Posted by: Grommet 12.Dec.2020, 06:02 AM
Many businesses in the food, drink and hotel industry won't make it through the winter. Even the biggest with reserves and a brand to borrow against are struggling.
Opportunities for foreigners and even the natives are always bleak in the obscure MeatHead-Land. Despite claims Tegnell has "saved the Meatballian economy" it is going down the tubes, just as it was prior to covid. Just at a faster pace now.
The meagre opportunities there will dry up just like a Swedes trust in its farcical inept government.
And would you be content living amongst the most boring, predictable and uninspiring people in the West?
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 12.Dec.2020, 09:13 PM
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 12.Dec.2020, 09:17 PM
The meagre opportunities there will dry up just like a Swedes trust in its farcical inept government.
And would you be content living amongst the most boring, predictable and uninspiring people in the West?
And to think you accused Martin and I of being 14 years old. You are really like T9 predictive text was invented.
Posted by: Grommet 13.Dec.2020, 06:17 AM
No I accused you of being 14, now downgraded to 9 in keeping with your level of reading comprehension.
Posted by: Grommet 13.Dec.2020, 07:05 AM
Somehow dying seems like it could be quite an improvement over moving to Sweden.
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 13.Dec.2020, 08:14 PM
Still dreaming about balls? You should take a look at the sausage too, you might get the creamy sauce you crave so much.
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 13.Dec.2020, 08:15 PM
And your frame of reference is?
Posted by: Mpf 15.Dec.2020, 01:33 PM
Some people call other people cynical, negative or whatever. I prefer realist, honest and so on. You pay your money you take your choice.
Your life, your fuck up.
I am not asking for advice! I am already happily living here! Besides, this is probably the last place I would personally go for advice as many of the posters here are so negative about Sweden yet chose, for whatever reason, to live here, regret it and bash people who opt to go down the same road they chose! Bonkers really, but someone did ask advice and I offered mine - without being negative about their choices.
Posted by: Grommet 16.Dec.2020, 12:53 PM
Lived in the Greasy Meatball for 6 years.
Isn't it odd? I see that native-engy is about to spout his pre-recorded, ever so singular message hating on immigrants his country invited in.
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 16.Dec.2020, 08:39 PM
Isn't it odd? I see that native-engy is about to spout his pre-recorded, ever so singular message hating on immigrants his country invited in.
I doubt you lived here at all. People who come here and are rejected by society because they think they are superior tend to strike out. You group together in little incel groups. How often do you have to shave your hairy palms?
Posted by: Martin565 16.Dec.2020, 10:09 PM
Better to be rejected by society if you dint agree with it than an arse licking guttersnipe
Posted by: Grommet 17.Dec.2020, 05:03 AM
Sure, you are entitled to doubt whatever you like. And based on what you say, I'd guess you tend to doubt things like earth is round, man landed on the moon etc.
You'd probably like to find 7-11, and discuss microwave radiation. Oh and by the way, did you know 5G causes the rona? Ya.
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 17.Dec.2020, 08:14 PM
Yepp! I hope you have a house guest at some point and all they do is shit on you, your house and everything else you offer them.
There is nothing wrong with being polite and grateful while constructively criticising things.
I can complain. I come from London. Even if you lived in sewerage farm on the outskirts of a bombed out shithole in the middle of Syria it would still be better than Birmingham!
Posted by: TheExpatEagle 17.Dec.2020, 08:15 PM
You'd probably like to find 7-11, and discuss microwave radiation. Oh and by the way, did you know 5G causes the rona? Ya.
What the fuck are you on about now? Go back to sniffing seats on buses.
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