Hello! I’m Chloé. I’m writing today to share all the information I have about doing an internship abroad in construction in Sweden. What’s it like? You have an internship to do in the construction field and you’re not sure which country to choose. You’re wondering if Sweden could be a great option or if it’s a false good idea. Or maybe you don’t know much about Sweden and you’re curious to discover it through your internship abroad? Don’t worry, keep reading, and you’ll find out if Sweden is the real deal for doing an internship abroad in construction. Let’s start with a little introduction to the country. Sweden is a country of about 10 million inhabitants located in Northern Europe in the Scandinavian region. The spoken language in Sweden is Swedish, but don’t worry, I’m sure you don’t speak Swedish. I reassure you, neither do I! English is widely spoken, and you will easily find an English-speaking internship that matches your field of study. Keep in mind that winters in Sweden are very cold, and summers are mild. Now that we have a quick overview, let’s dive deeper into what it’s like to do an internship abroad in construction in Sweden!
The advantages of doing an internship in Sweden in construction
In Swedish companies, work teams are often multicultural, meaning that it is not uncommon to have international colleagues who have come to work in Sweden. This is why even without mastering Swedish, you can easily communicate and do your internship in English. Many projects are written and conducted in English in Sweden thanks to the multicultural nature of businesses. However, I still recommend learning some basic Swedish words before you go for your internship in this country; it will show your motivation and commitment to your internship. Sweden is known for its safety. The quality of life in Sweden is excellent, and the infrastructure is modern. Speaking of quality of life, Sweden is a country that values work-life balance, allowing for more flexible working hours, so you can combine work with cultural discoveries outside your internship. It’s a country that I find really great for doing an internship abroad and for living in during your entire stay. Sweden is an excellent country to do your internship in construction, as there are many projects focused on sustainable and eco-friendly construction. Indeed, in Sweden, there are many construction projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. Sweden is also a country undergoing significant developments in the construction sector, with infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and public transportation. Sweden is also a country that is committed to improving energy efficiency in buildings, so there are many energy renovation projects in the country, leading to the modernization of buildings.
Disadvantages of doing your internship in Sweden in construction
As I mentioned in the brief introduction to Sweden, the winters are very cold, and this can be a drawback, especially in the construction field where you will likely be working outdoors frequently. You will need to be prepared to work in conditions that are sometimes a bit more challenging than in other countries. It all depends on where you go in Sweden, but it’s mainly the northern part that can be most affected. You should be ready to accept that construction projects may sometimes be postponed due to the temperatures. If I can give you a little piece of advice, know that in Sweden’s construction sector, safety is very high and strictly regulated, and the country has very specific safety standards. This means you will need to adapt very quickly to these new safety protocols and be extremely vigilant during your internship there. Now let’s talk about the cost of living. The cost of living in this country is relatively high—higher than in France—especially in terms of housing and food prices. In my opinion, this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker for doing your construction internship in Sweden, but you need to be aware of it and plan your trip carefully to ensure you have enough money to live comfortably while also enjoying your time off. Regarding your budget, you can apply for an Erasmus grant to help finance your project. If you’d like to learn more about the safety standards in Sweden, feel free to check out the official page for workers in Sweden. And so you’re not surprised, know that in Sweden, professional relationships are very hierarchical, which often leads to longer decision-making processes as decisions have to pass through all levels of the hierarchy. So don’t be surprised by this when you go abroad to do your construction internship in Sweden.
Where to do your internship abroad in construction in Sweden?
I will now be able to give you more details about which city to go to for your construction internship in Sweden. You’ll quickly realize that the city where you will do your internship will mainly depend on your internship project.
- Stockholm
“Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. As in most countries, the capital is the place where there can be the most professional opportunities and therefore internships. This city has a strong economic activity. If you are interested in eco-friendly construction, you should know that Stockholm has a hub with many international companies offering internship opportunities in the field of ecological construction. Stockholm also has many construction projects related to sustainable development and urban planning.
- Göteborg
“Göteborg, also known as Gothenburg, is the second-largest city in the country. It has a major port, the largest in Scandinavia, and offers internship opportunities in industrial or maritime infrastructure. If you are interested in port, maritime, or industrial construction projects, this city could be an excellent option for your internship abroad in your field of interest. Additionally, from a financial perspective, the cost of living in Göteborg is slightly lower than in the capital, Stockholm
- Umeå
This city is located in the north of the country, in a more rural area. If you are looking for projects in the construction sector, particularly in wood or eco-friendly construction, this seems like the ideal city, as it is involved in numerous ecological and wooden construction projects. It is a very dynamic city since it is a university town, and financially, it is also relatively affordable in terms of housing and cost of living. If you are not particularly fond of big cities or prefer a place with fewer inhabitants, Umeå seems like a perfect fit, as it is a smaller city.
- Malmö
This city is located in the south of the country, not far from Denmark. Malmö has modern residential projects. If you want to get involved in innovative and modern urban or residential projects, this city can be a great destination for your construction internship abroad in Sweden. It is also a culturally diverse city where you can complete your construction internship in English.
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You’ve got it—doing your construction internship abroad in Sweden will undoubtedly help you develop your skills in your field of study, learn new construction practices, and discover an innovative work culture. Of course, you may face some challenges during your internship, but the experience will be highly rewarding. If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be to fully embrace this opportunity—get involved as much as possible in your internship to maximize your chances of having an enriching experience and learning a lot of new things.
If you’re interested in doing your internship abroad in Sweden, don’t hesitate—sign up on the website, and someone from our team will quickly get in touch with you to discuss your criteria and help you find the internship that best matches what you’re looking for. In the meantime, you can already test your English level and further your research by reading our blog titled “Experience Feedback from Sweden.” As the name suggests, it features testimonials from people who have gone to Sweden and shared their experiences.
Now it’s up to you! See you soon in our next blog!