For the past few years the Swedish institute (SI) has been welcoming newly arrived Scholarship holders to a kick-off. This year the program offered a two day’s program. So on Friday the 7th of October, around lunch time, 215 scholarship holders represented some 33 nationalities descended on the small town and Island of Lidingö, an island just outside the center of Stockholm.
SI:s Director general Annika Rembe gave our Scholarship holders a warm welcome to Sweden and talked about the importance building relations and newtorks with Sweden. As the events moderator, we continued the program with renowned by Lars Trägårdh, professor in history on Sweden´s experience as a nation. Followed by Caroline Vicini, Head of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the image of Sweden. Both also shared their professional and personal take on Sweden after spending a number of years abroad which ignited a 45 min long session of discussions between the Scholarship holders and keynote speakers. We rounded off Friday with dinner and social activities.
Saturday featured a session with four alumni (previous Scholarship holders) from four different countries. They shared their experiences in Sweden, talked about how to get to know Sweden and Swedes, how to dress for winter, the Swedish fika and the education system which ignited a Q& A on surviaval in Sweden as a student. Midday offered a Cross-Cultural Experience Seminar & workshop, led by Dr John Alexander.
The kick-off is intended to be the inspiring start of a long-term relationship with Sweden and the Swedish Institute. The Scholarship Holder are also offered a unique membership in SI Network for Future Global Leaders. For those of you curious about SI:s Scholarship holders, you can catch up with them on: www.swedenintouch.se, the official Community for international students who are in Sweden or who have been to Sweden.
