Arctic Sweden meets 14,000 trade fair visitors in Utrecht
More Europeans should choose to build a future in Norrbotten. That is the goal when Arctic Sweden participates for the fourth year in the Emigration Expo – Europe's largest trade fair for people looking for a new country to settle in.
Arctic Sweden is a collaboration between Region Norrbotten, ten municipalities, the employment agency Eures and Luleå University of Technology. At the Emigration Expo in Utrecht, the Netherlands, visitors to the fair meet compatriots who have already taken the step and settled in Norrbotten. There they also get in touch with people who can help in various ways to make the dream of a new everyday life in the north a reality.
– I myself have moved from Germany to Sweden and know how important a warm welcome is. Northern Sweden offers exciting career opportunities, a high quality of life and proximity to nature – something many dream of when they want to build a new life here, says Caroline Pfriender, strategist for population supply at Region Norrbotten.
Has resulted in move-in
The fair attracts around 14,000 visitors each year. Every year, many conversations are held between interested visitors and Arctic Sweden, of which 200-300 are with people who have long-term and serious plans to move to northern Sweden. People that Arctic Sweden has met at Emigration Expo over the past three years are now in towns and villages, at schools and at workplaces around the county.
Sofi Wiippa Lahti, project manager for Move on up Överkalix, has been recruiting new residents for her municipality at Emigration Expo for several years.
– We see that the work we have done together with the municipalities is bearing fruit and there is still great interest from visitors to the fair, says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director.
At Arctic Sweden's well-attended seminars, trade fair visitors receive information on everything from shortage occupations, lifestyle and the opportunity to grow crops. Representatives from Region Norrbotten's HR department are there to provide information about opportunities and requirements for working in healthcare.
“Enjoying the peace and space”
Several Dutch people who have already moved to the county are coming to the fair to share their experiences. One of them is Marcella De Geus, who came to Emigration Expo last year and now lives in Överkalix municipality with her family.
– We knew we wanted to move to Sweden, but we had no idea where. When we met Move to Arctic Sweden, it was immediately clear that it was to Norrbotten that we wanted to move. And so it was! For over six months now we have enjoyed the peace, space, nature and everything that northern Sweden has to offer, she says.
Sofi Waltare, Luleå University of Technology, is traveling to the Netherlands in the company of Dutch doctoral student Tom Salm.
Luleå University of Technology has doctoral student Tom Salm with them. In his daily life, he analyzes electromagnetic interference linked to airport environments. Part of his research focuses on electric flight.
– It is a sustainable technology where Norrbotten is at the forefront and contributes to the development towards the future of aviation. I am participating in the Emigration Expo to share my experiences of moving here from the Netherlands. I want to tell you about how I experienced the journey, both professionally and personally, and answer questions from those who are still hesitant or thinking about taking the step. Hopefully, I can provide guidance and inspiration to others who are considering establishing themselves in Norrbotten, says Tom Salm.
Participation in the fair is financed through the Population Supply for Norrbotten project.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
Photos: Nino Pels
