28 March 2024
"You only live once and you have to do it properly"
How is life up in northern Sweden and at Luleå University of Technology, when you come from another part of the world? Meet Julian Somberg, PhD student in machine elements, who moved here from the Netherlands and loves the nature and the quiet life here.
Hi Julian, who are you and what do you do here at Luleå University of Technology?
"I am 28 years old and come from Heerhugowaard in the Netherlands. I came here as a master student and then got the opportunity to stay as a PhD student in machine elements. Now I will defend my thesis in April, so it is a very exciting period!"
What attracted you to Luleå University of Technology?
"I had a few different places to choose from, some cities in Germany, London and then Luleå. Actually, it was a friend who came here a year earlier and it made the choice a little easier, but I don't think it would have changed anything. You only live once and you have to do it properly!"
What is the best thing about living in Luleå and northern Sweden?
"The nature that is close by. I was at the Emigration Expo last year and most people I talked to were just curious about nature. In the Netherlands it's crowded and not much nature. Here it's the opposite. We don't have a lot of people and a lot of nature. You can walk in the forest for a long time without seeing anyone. It makes life feel a bit calmer."
Finally, what would you say to others who are curious about life in northern Sweden?
"If you are interested, you have to try it! Moving to another country can feel a bit difficult, but it was really easy. Some might think it's far away, you think Stockholm is ok. But it's an extra hour flight, you're in the Netherlands before lunch. Give it a try!"
- Coming to LTU helps a lot because it is such an international place. You don't have to be Swedish if you want to work or study at LTU. I speak the language now and feel part of the community, but you can still speak English and just hang out with English friends. No pressure to become Swedish! Be how you are!
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