My New Love: Northern Sweden

Newcomer Hilde Pape talks about her new life in Arjeplog.

How wonderful that you’re curious about northern Sweden! My name is Hilde Pape, an adventurous person from the western Netherlands. In the summer of 2019, I discovered my new great love: northern Sweden. Imagine magnificent nature, vast landscapes, and a sense of tranquility that’s hard to find anywhere else. After my first visit, I simply couldn’t stop going back—with every trip, I became more and more fascinated by this magical region.

At first, I hadn’t planned on moving so soon, but in June 2024, I took the plunge anyway. And now? I never want to go back! Of course, I’ve run into quite a few challenges along the way, and not everything went completely smoothly, but I had time on my side and prepared as best I could. I quit my job and sold my house in the Netherlands. That’s why I also had a little savings to fall back on. It gave me the freedom not to rush into big decisions, but to shape my new life in Sweden at my own pace.

Finding a job was also a goal, but it actually happened much sooner than I had expected. Through contacts in the municipality of Arjeplog—which is now my home—I heard that an exciting position as a newcomer guide was about to open up. I kept that in mind, but I also knew that my basic Swedish might not be enough. So I simply continued to focus on the move.

When I saw the ad online in February 2024, I thought: why not? I wrote my application in the best Swedish I could, and to my great surprise, I was called in for an interview. After two interviews, I got the job! It was absolutely incredible, especially since I wasn’t fluent in Swedish at the time. But my enthusiasm and my own experiences made an impression, and they decided to give me a chance.

In May, I wrapped up all my final matters in the Netherlands, and on June 1, 2024, I headed north. What a journey that was! The first few weeks felt almost surreal—like a mix of a dream and culture shock. Suddenly, everything was in Swedish and the pace was fast. But thanks to the language course I’d taken back home and all the friendly and helpful people here, I quickly settled into daily life and managed surprisingly well with the language.

Here’s a tip right off the bat: fika is a real thing and taken very seriously! It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know coworkers, neighbors, and others in your community—while learning everything from local tips to the secrets of small-town life. It’s a wonderfully simple way to immerse yourself in both the language and the community.

I’ve now made it through my first real winters—and I still love it! The fresh air, the amazing nature, and the better work-life balance mean I enjoy every day. I’m so glad I took the plunge. By starting work right away, I was thrown straight into Swedish culture, gained professional experience, and began building a social network almost from day one.

So—why shouldn’t you be the next person we at Move Up North help start a new life up north?
If you’re ready to take the plunge, I—or one of my colleagues at Move Up North—am here for you. Let’s take this journey together. Hope to hear from you soon!

With love,
Hilde