Diversity Forward Sweden

Diversity Forward Sweden Cataloging the heartbeat of skilled migrants shaping Sweden. One story, one beat at a time!

Featuring: .psy .khnz “When I first came across the Diversity Forward Sweden page, I felt deeply inspired by the stories...
06/11/2025

Featuring: .psy .khnz

“When I first came across the Diversity Forward Sweden page, I felt deeply inspired by the stories of other expats. Seeing how their experiences resonated with mine, I wanted to share my own, hoping it might help someone else too.

My move to Sweden began as a love story. While planning our wedding, my husband found a job here and moved a year before I did. That year of long distance was tough, endless video calls, planning our wedding, but it helped me prepare for life in a new country. When I finally arrived a week after our wedding, Sweden didn’t feel completely unfamiliar.

Moving here came with its own set of challenges. It was my first time living abroad, far from home, family, and the familiar rhythm of Iran. In Iran, life begins after 7 p.m., but in Sweden, most things close by then. Still, as an introvert, I’ve found peace in the quiet evenings and calm pace of life here.

I miss my family the most, the gatherings, the laughter, and of course, the food. I try to recreate it here, but it’s never quite the same. Yet, I don’t miss the chaos. I love Sweden’s tranquility, its nature, and yes, even the cold weather.

Being open-minded has been my biggest strength. As a Muslim woman, I face added layers of adjustment, from finding halal food to navigating cultural differences but I choose to stay open and adapt.

When I moved here, I was still finishing my master’s thesis in psychology. I now work remotely with clients in Iran while learning Swedish and building my path, step by step. It’s not easy, but it’s meaningful.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: be hopeful. At the end of every dark night, there is always light.”

I recently moved to Stockholm to support my wife’s career at Karolinska University. Originally from Mumbai, India, I’ve ...
29/10/2025

I recently moved to Stockholm to support my wife’s career at Karolinska University. Originally from Mumbai, India, I’ve spent the past several years working in media sales, content solutions, and brand solutions for some of India’s leading brands.

I love watching, creating and thinking about good content. (ChatGPT rephrased it to I am passionate about content. but I chose to keep my original line.) I believe the best work happens when you truly enjoy what you’re doing.

I also perform stand-up comedy in my native language as well as in English. Three words that best describe me are simple, responsible, and sincere. In my free time, you’ll usually find me playing chess, reading novels, or trekking somewhere scenic.

P.S. – If we have ever talked casually for more than an hour, it’s likely I have tried my stand-up material on you. Cheers! 😜

Featuring: Nadiia Buriachok“Four years ago, I came to Sweden for art. One month later, war broke out in Ukraine and sudd...
05/10/2025

Featuring: Nadiia Buriachok

“Four years ago, I came to Sweden for art. One month later, war broke out in Ukraine and suddenly, at 18, I was stuck far from home.

At first, it was overwhelming. No bank ID, no personal number, carrying documents everywhere just to prove I existed. A lot of people probably expected Ukrainian refugees to look broken and hopeless. But when they met us, they realised we are educated, creative, ambitious, and it should have confused them. ‘How can there be a war if you look so normal?’ they asked.

I turned to art to process it all. My first performance here was about the war. An attempt to make sense of pain and displacement. Later, I became one of the first women ever exhibited at Konstnärshuset in Stockholm. My work explores a question close to my heart: what if women were worshipped as Gods?

Sweden hasn’t been as easy as people tend to think of it. I’ve faced a system that is complex and bureaucratic to the point that it often feels like closing doors, but I’ve also met incredible people who opened others. Networking, asking for help, and never giving up gave me opportunities. From studios to scholarships, and chances to keep creating, step by step. I’m finding my place here. Through art, through studies, and through a community that keeps me moving forward.

My advice to anyone starting over: embrace the culture, build your network, be patient and never stop believing that your story matters.”

Featuring: Nathanael Manning “I grew up in the US, but life has taken me further than I ever expected, through Alaska’s ...
24/09/2025

Featuring: Nathanael Manning

“I grew up in the US, but life has taken me further than I ever expected, through Alaska’s wilds, the quiet heart of Latvia, and now embracing Sweden. My journey has been guided by mission, compassion, and authenticity.

For nearly a decade in Latvia, I worked with youth, learning that trust takes time and connection runs deep. Latvians open slowly, but when they do, they share with honesty and depth. I learned enough Latvian to connect, and I witnessed how art and music became the heartbeat of resistance during Soviet oppression.

In 2022, we moved to Sweden, a choice rooted in family and a new mission. Today, my greatest joy is fatherhood, biking my son to preschool, walking forest paths, and savouring small, sacred moments. Swedish healthcare and support during childbirth have made building a family here a true blessing. Challenges remain like finding a job, navigating language barriers, and moments of doubt but these struggles remind me why we came: for a safer, balanced life and the chance to contribute meaningfully.

I’m a certified life coach, passionate about helping people grow and find purpose. My experiences across cultures from the individualism of Latvia to the warmth of Russian and Ukrainian communities, and the nuance of Swedish life, shape how I guide others through change, adaptation, and growth.

I’m ready to bring my skills to education, coordination, or outreach, in communities where purpose and genuine connection matter. Life coaching isn’t just a profession for me, it’s living my experiences so others can move forward with clarity, confidence, and courage.”

Featuring: Kristina Andriushchenko “I came to Sweden more than three years ago. Not because I planned it, but because of...
20/09/2025

Featuring: Kristina Andriushchenko

“I came to Sweden more than three years ago. Not because I planned it, but because of the war. I’m from Kharkiv, a city close to the Russian border. It was dangerous to stay, my job as a Social media manager for restaurants was gone, and my family pushed me to move. I thought it would be temporary. But here I am, almost four years later.

At first, I struggled. I loved my city, my work, and it felt painful to leave. But slowly, Stockholm grew on me. This spring, I finally told my friends that I had fallen in love with it. The water, the nature, the respect for personal space, it makes me feel comfortable. Even the cold no longer feels unbearable.

The kindness of Swedish people surprised me. When I came to Stockholm, I carried only what mattered most, i.e. my cat and my documents. My friend and I arrived here with nothing, but Swedish people helped us with clothes, food, and even new glasses, because I had forgotten mine when I left my city. It was empathy straight from the heart, and it made me feel less alone.

There were challenges too, like finding housing with my cat, living without a BankID, adapting to a new medical system. I’ve made both Ukrainian and international friends here, so I can say I don’t feel lonely and have created my own small circle. I sometimes cook traditional dishes like syrnyky, varenyky, and borshch for my friends here, bringing a piece of home into my new life. Stockholm may be my second home, but my Ukrainian roots are always with me.

Becoming a baker was a big shift for me, but at the time I needed stability. Alongside that, I’ve always pursued photography, and now I’m gradually returning to social media work while looking for new projects. One day, I dream of creating a space that brings it all together, a café combined with a photo studio.

Life didn’t go as I planned, but maybe that’s the point. I’m still adapting and finding beauty in unexpected places. Sometimes the hardest journeys lead to the most surprising homes.”
s work:

📸 https://www.instagram.com/photosensual__?igsh=MTNveDhubzZsdG41aw==

📱 https://www.instagram.com/f.oodculture?igsh=MTBqZ2Rxd25ldnh1Nw==

Featuring: Rama Ghare“I still remember landing in Sweden in January 2018, snowy, cold, and completely unfamiliar. My hus...
12/09/2025

Featuring: Rama Ghare

“I still remember landing in Sweden in January 2018, snowy, cold, and completely unfamiliar. My husband was starting as a post doctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet , so we packed our bags and started a new chapter here. I was living in Finland for a few months where my husband was doing his doctoral research before Sweden became our new home.

We’re from India, and it has been 7.5 years since we have lived in Sweden. Today we’re raising our 3.5-year-old daughter in Stockholm. At home, we speak Marathi, but thanks to preschool she switches effortlessly between Swedish and English. Raising her here hasn’t always been easy, the first year was especially hard without family around but looking back, I feel grateful she is growing up with the best of both cultures.

Language was one of my biggest hurdles. I started with SFI, then Folkuniversitetet, but my real learning happened at work. My first job was entirely in Swedish, so I had to speak it every single day. Today, I’m not perfect, but I can interview, work, and live my daily life in Swedish, something that once felt impossible.

As a landscape architect, my professional journey has been full of ups and downs. It took me 8 months to get my first job, and last year I faced the challenge of being laid off. The job market has been tough, but I tried to keep up and going by engaging in different activities and groups. I joined Stockholm Dual Career Network as an ambassador, created art, or even set up small art stalls at local markets. After a year of searching, this September I stepped into a new role as a Landscape Architect once again.

What I love most about Sweden is the balance, flexible work hours, systematic processes that work, and even the little things like trash sorting make me feel sorted. I’d say I feel 50% integrated. I’ve found strong friendships in international communities, but I’ve also embraced many parts of Swedish life. Funnily enough, when I visit India now, I sometimes find myself missing Sweden.”

Featuring: Nidhi Dedhia “I was born and brought up in Mumbai, and for 25 years, I never moved out of the city. This move...
10/07/2025

Featuring: Nidhi Dedhia

“I was born and brought up in Mumbai, and for 25 years, I never moved out of the city. This move to Sweden was my big shift.

When I figured out that I would be relocating to Sweden, the idea itself felt so exciting. I thought, I’m going to a new country, everything is going to be like gardens and flowers.

For the first few months, everything felt amazing. I came in January and watched daylight grow with each passing month. After a few months, something hit me hard, and it was the realisation that I was unemployed. It had been six months since I had relocated. I’d never been unemployed in my life. From there, things started to change. From that point until I got my first internship, I pushed myself to do everything possible to get started. The first time I flew back to India after moving here, I cried the entire flight back to Stockholm. I wasn’t excited anymore. I just thought, I’m going back to a place where I’m supposed to struggle.

But things slowly started to change.

My partner, who had moved five years earlier, helped with all the basics like setting up a bank account, getting a National ID, and familiarising me with the system here. Through the Stockholm Dual Career Network, I found out about mentorship programs, Arbetsförmedlingen, SFI, and Jobbsprånget. That led me to my first mentor, who became my moral support during those tough times. Fast forward, I secured my internship at Sinch through Jobbsprånget, and I met someone who turned out to be my second mentor. She is one of the best people I’ve met in Sweden. She opened her network for me, introduced me to recruiters, and helped me refine my profile as a Talent Acquisition professional. That was my first step into the Swedish job market.

Now, I’m working at Schneider Electric. And honestly, I finally feel like I’m settling in. If I didn’t have my experience at Sinch, I would have still struggled. But today, I feel more confident, more grounded.

I still miss Mumbai! Its food, its big-city buzz. But I am happy here! I feel job secure, I have a supportive partner and my family is visiting soon. Life feels a bit more whole.”

Featuring: Christine Birkby“I’ve been here for almost a year now. My son has already outgrown the clothes we brought wit...
03/07/2025

Featuring: Christine Birkby

“I’ve been here for almost a year now. My son has already outgrown the clothes we brought with us from Johannesburg. Time really does fly quickly. We came because my husband got a job. We had no expectations before coming to Stockholm, because we had never been here until we moved. Sweden was completely new to us. We just wanted to make this our home for ourselves and our son.

Looking back, I wish I had prepared myself a little more mentally for the move. Starting with simply acknowledging that this is a different country, and things are going to be different. Back in Johannesburg, life moves fast. It is a city that never really slows down, quite a fast-paced place. But here, things are slower and calmer. It is exciting to move to a new place, but it is also important to not brush aside the emotional shifts that come with it. You must be ready for the changes to come.

Remember that you have the support of your family and friends, and you should be careful not to go in that downward spiral.

What’s helped me most is remembering that I have the support of my loved ones. Otherwise, it is so easy to slip down. As hard as some days can get, the next day will be better. Migration is a journey and each person’s journey is so personal. I am still learning. I am still on this journey.”

I was born and raised in Istanbul, a city where continents, cultures, and histories meet. Growing up in that kind of mul...
19/06/2025

I was born and raised in Istanbul, a city where continents, cultures, and histories meet. Growing up in that kind of multicultural setting shaped the way I see the world. I saw early on how diversity fuels creativity, empathy, and strength - not in theory, but in daily life, in neighbourhoods, in conversations, in shared meals. That stayed with me.

Later, my professional path took me across countries and companies, from large global tech firms where I helped lead employee resource groups for diversity and inclusion across EMEA, to more agile, mission-driven startups. Wherever I worked, one truth remained: people thrive when they feel seen, valued, and included.

Diversity Forward Sweden is rooted in that belief. Together with others, I helped start this initiative to create space, not just a platform, but a community for skilled migrants and international professionals trying to find belonging and purpose in Sweden. Because integration is not only about paperwork or language; it’s about feeling at home, being heard, and being given the chance to contribute fully.

This work is deeply personal to me. I believe in building bridges between people, backgrounds, and futures. And I believe in a Sweden where those bridges make us stronger.

With a background in economics and five years of experience as a Customer Due Diligence Analyst at a major Dutch bank, I...
15/06/2025

With a background in economics and five years of experience as a Customer Due Diligence Analyst at a major Dutch bank, I bring financial expertise, strategic insight, and a strong sense of purpose to my role as Treasurer at Diversity Forward Sweden.

I relocated from the Netherlands to Sweden a year ago after my partner was accepted into a PhD program in Stockholm. Next to my activities at DFS, I’m also aiming to integrate into Swedish society through actively studying Swedish (currently at SVA3 level). What drew us to Sweden was not only this academic opportunity, but also the country’s deep connection to nature and its calm, balanced way of life.

Beyond my professional experience, I’m someone who naturally builds connections and helps foster a sense of belonging within groups. I’m often the one who brings people together—encouraging collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose.

My desire to contribute to Diversity Forward Sweden is rooted in my personal history. I’m deeply inspired by my great-grandfather, a Dutch resistance member during World War II. Alongside his best friend, he risked everything to help Jewish families (mostly children) escape persecution, finding them safe hiding places in the countryside. That legacy of courage, solidarity, and compassion continues to guide my values today.

Although the challenges of our time are different, the need for dignity, opportunity, and community remains. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance to thrive, and I’m honored to contribute to an organization that aims to make that vision a reality.

After over two vibrant decades immersed in the culture and pace of Kolkata, India, and building a fulfilling professiona...
12/06/2025

After over two vibrant decades immersed in the culture and pace of Kolkata, India, and building a fulfilling professional journey across various Indian cities, I relocated to the U.S. with my wife, in pursuit of new experiences. We lived in the US for a couple of years and moved to Sweden in late 2024, carrying with us the richness of every place we've called home.

Every city in India I lived and worked in, staying in the US and now Sweden, has shaped me, deepened my empathy, and strengthened my belief that diversity isn’t just something to be celebrated. It’s something to be acted upon!

As someone who’s lived the immigrant experience, navigated cross-cultural transitions, and worked closely in International Mobility and Relocation Consulting, I’ve seen both the beauty and the barriers of difference. My passion lies in making people feel seen, heard, and at home, wherever they are in the world. That is the idea behind founding Diversity Forward Sweden, a platform born from personal experience and a shared mission: to amplify diverse voices, foster inclusive conversations, and create a space where everyone feels they belong.

Whether I'm strategizing relocation solutions or capturing the world through my lens, my purpose remains the same: to bring people closer, across borders and biases.

Welcome to Diversity Forward Sweden!Diversity Forward Sweden is more than a platform! It's a tapestry of journeys, choic...
10/06/2025

Welcome to Diversity Forward Sweden!

Diversity Forward Sweden is more than a platform! It's a tapestry of journeys, choices, and transformation. Through stories, we share the resilience, warmth, and hope of individuals who have immigrated to Sweden and built meaningful lives here.

It's about the courage to start over, the strength to belong, and the beauty of being both similar and entirely unique. These stories speak of compassion, identity, and the powerful lessons that come from lived experience. Here, we don't just tell stories, we create connections. We invite you to explore perspectives, reflect on insights, and maybe even find a piece of your own journey in someone else's words, all best experienced with a warm heart and open mind.

Got a story the world needs to hear? We'd be honored to listen.
Slide into our DMs or write to us at [email protected], and someone from our team will be in touch. Let's toast to life, one bold journey, one untold story, one heartbeat of change at a time.

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