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Sweden in Focus

Moving to Sweden: 'The help I got from Dalarna was mind-blowing'

Ep. 269

In this week’s episode host Paul O'Mahony chats with Iain Forbes, a medical professional from the UK who moved to Falun shortly after the 2016 Brexit vote.

In the interview Forbes speaks in glowing terms about the integration package offered to him by the Dalarna Region, which included six months of fully paid language instruction as well as assistance with relocation and housing. 

He also highlights the welcoming nature of the people he has met in Dalarna.

"There's this stereotype of the Swede as this kind of cold, a little bit austere, standoffish person that doesn't like small talk and likes their personal space. And to a certain extent, that's true, but I've not found that with Dalarna folk at all."

The multicultural environment at his workplace also ensures he's far from the only foreigner, and with so much to do in the great outdoors he hasn't regretted the move for a second.

"Even though I've been here eight years, you have to kind of pinch yourself." 

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