My Swedish Integration Journey
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Shane Finlay has led a truly international life. Having studied in Honolulu, Hawaii, and lived in London, Shane’s journey eventually brought him to Gothenburg, Sweden. His wife’s dream job at Volvo Cars prompted the move, marking a new chapter filled with challenges and opportunities. In this interview, Shane shares how International House Gothenburg helped him turn his integration journey into a success story.
Shane, thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to Sweden?
Of course! My journey to Sweden began when my wife landed her dream role as the head of Data and AI at Volvo Cars. It was an incredible opportunity for her, and I wanted to support her in every way possible. At the time, I was working as the Managing Director at Oracle UK, so moving to Gothenburg meant leaving behind a fulfilling career. It was challenging, especially since my expertise seemed to align more with opportunities in Stockholm than here. But we took the leap, and here we are about a year later, finding our place in Sweden.
That sounds like a significant life change. What were some of the initial challenges you faced upon arriving in Gothenburg?
Absolutely. The biggest hurdle was the lack of a local network and having to navigate a job market that was completely new to me. I hadn’t been on a job hunt in decades, so it felt like starting from scratch in a different country, culture, and language. Offers for remote work from London came in quickly, but I wanted more than that. I was determined to integrate fully into Swedish society, which required reinventing myself in many ways.
How did you first come across International House Gothenburg, and what role did they play in your integration?
I discovered International House Gothenburg early in my journey. Their focus on helping internationals like me adapt and thrive was exactly what I needed. Their networking and career events were game-changers. I learned strategies that turned my challenges into opportunities, from expanding my professional connections to understanding the nuances of the Swedish job market.
Speaking of your food truck, that’s an intriguing side hustle! Could you tell us more about it and how it’s helped your integration?
Sure! My wife and I are passionate about food, and having lived in places like Hawaii and Singapore, we wanted to bring those flavours to Gothenburg. My food truck serves Hawaiian and Singaporean-inspired vegan dishes. Initially, it was just a way to explore my culinary interests, but it’s grown into a thriving business. It’s allowed me to participate in local markets and connect with other food enthusiasts. Swedes are incredibly curious and open to trying new flavours, which has made this venture rewarding. It’s also been a great way to bootstrap my AI business focused on building digital twins of experts.
It sounds like you’ve built a strong sense of community. How have you managed to connect with locals in a country often seen as reserved?
It’s true that Swedes have a reputation for being reserved, but I’ve found them to be warm and welcoming once you make an effort. For example, I’ve built relationships with my neighbours to the point where we’ll knock on each other’s doors just to chat. Attending local events, joining networking groups, and even going to church has helped me meet people. Now, when I walk through town, it’s not uncommon for someone to wave or stop to chat. I’ve truly become part of the community.
Language can often be a barrier for integration. How are you tackling that?
Learning Swedish is definitely a priority. My wife and I have a Swedish teacher, and we make an effort to practice regularly. One of our routines is visiting new restaurants every Saturday and ordering in Swedish. It’s a small step, but it helps build confidence. My goal this year is to use Swedish more and more in everyday interactions.
You’ve achieved so much in just one year. What advice would you give to others who are new to Sweden and looking to integrate?
First, engage with resources like International House Gothenburg. Their events and guidance are invaluable. Second, don’t hesitate to leverage your existing networks—you might be surprised at the connections you can build. Third, remember that integration is a two-way street. Be proactive, offer value, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Lastly, find ways to immerse yourself in the local culture, whether through language learning, food, or simply connecting with your neighbours.
Could you share some specific strategies or lessons you learned from their events that made a difference?
Absolutely. There were five key tips I implemented that transformed my approach:
- Leverage Your Old Network: One employer suggested reaching out to alumni from my schools who live in Sweden. I found 108 University of Hawaii alumni here, which was unexpected! Connecting with them expanded my network by hundreds in just a few days. I also looked for Swedes in my old networks, particularly those who had worked or studied abroad, and reached out to them.
- Give to Get: Another piece of advice was to offer value before asking for anything in return. I started connecting with Swedish professionals, offering to introduce them to my international network. This built goodwill and significantly expanded my local connections.
- Offer Complimentary Services: At one event, a speaker suggested offering free consulting sessions to build trust. I gave it a shot, and it paid off—I gained paying clients and received unsolicited connection requests as a result.
- Explore Internship Programs: I applied to Jobbsprånget, and while I didn’t qualify due to my food truck business, the experience led me to partner with Lifeinside.io. This collaboration allowed me to immerse myself in the Swedish business scene and expand my professional network further.
- Utilize Local Resources: International House introduced me to Yesbox, a hub for small business resources. This connected me with local entrepreneurs and gave me a sense of community. It also helped me balance my side hustle, a food truck business, while working on my main AI venture.
Thank you, Shane, for sharing your inspiring journey. Any final thoughts?
Just that integration takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. Sweden has so much to offer, and the more you engage with its people and culture, the more you’ll feel at home. For anyone new to Gothenburg, I can’t recommend International House enough. They’ve truly been a game changer for me.
International house Gothenburg
International House Gothenburg is a meeting place for international talents. It is designed to offer activities, services and guidance for an easy integration into Swedish society. All in one place. Our mission is to help international talents, here to work and study, in the process of setting-up and settling-in into the region. We also have activities relevant to your individual context. More about International House Gothenburg