From southern China to a new life in Luleå

When Wenxuan Jia applied for a PhD position in energy engineering, she had never heard of Luleå. A few months later, she was walking across the frozen sea and feeling surprisingly at home in northern Sweden.

“I never imagined I would one day be living in Sweden. But when I found the PhD advertisement online, the project sounded like a perfect match. I applied without knowing much about Luleå – or even Sweden,” says Wenxuan Jia, PhD student in Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

After earning her master’s degree in Europe through the Erasmus Mundus programme, Wenxuan returned to China to work in the battery industry. When she decided to pursue a PhD, her search led her to Luleå – and to a very different life.

A small town far from home

Wenxuan arrived in February, just in time to experience winter at its most Arctic – complete with frozen seas and waffles on a snow-covered island.

“It felt like home, actually. I come from a small Chinese town with a similar population. Luleå is convenient, calm, and surrounded by nature. I really enjoy the peaceful lifestyle here.”

Before arriving, she had limited knowledge of Sweden. Like many, her associations were mostly cultural icons: IKEA, Greta Thunberg, and the Nobel Prize. But her first impression was anything but stereotypical.

“I was surprised how unsurprising life in Sweden is! It's not as cold as I feared, and people don’t ski to work – they take the bus, just like everywhere else. And yes, there’s even bubble tea in Luleå!”

Research that matters – and time to enjoy life

Wenxuan’s research focuses on converting biomass into biocarbon as a sustainable alternative to coal in the steel industry. It’s a topic closely tied to Sweden’s climate goals and industrial transformation.

“I find it meaningful because it could help significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from steel production. It’s exciting to be part of something that really matters.”

Life as a doctoral student in Sweden has come with some cultural adjustments – but mostly pleasant ones.

“The relationship with your supervisor is more equal here. We even call professors by their first names, which would be unimaginable in China. The work-life balance is also better – more human-friendly, I would say.”

Outside of the lab, she spends time with colleagues, enjoys the winter scenery, and even finds joy in small local habits.

“I like saying hi to the bus driver. It’s such a simple thing, but it makes me feel connected. People don’t do that in big cities.”

Embracing challenges with curiosity

Not everything has gone smoothly – Wenxuan fractured her wrist during her first month on the icy roads. But even that turned into a learning experience.

“It wasn’t as scary as it sounds. And now I know how to see a doctor in Sweden!”

Her message to other students considering a move – whether to or from Sweden – is clear.

“Wherever we come from, we are all human. We’ll see more similarities than differences. And we all have bigger potential than we think.”

Looking ahead

Wenxuan’s goals for the future are a mix of academic ambition and personal curiosity.

“I want to finish my project, publish enough to graduate, and ideally learn Swedish. But most importantly, I want to enjoy every moment of living here.”

• Energy engineering