"I was curious and needed change in my life."

Nurse Benthe Bergsma came to Åsele with a desire to try something completely new. She had spent several holidays in the region of her parents before, and felt that something was missing in Amsterdam.
"So far I have not felt the need to move back," Benthe said.

When Benthe Bergsma arrived in the village of Björksele, Åsele in 2022, she began working in the home service pending the Swedish translation of her nurse identification. In the Netherlands, she had worked as a nurse in a hospital in the capital of Amsterdam, but always felt that she was missing something in her country.

"After I tried to further train myself in emergency medical care, I noticed that I was in the wrong place. My parents had already moved to Sweden in connection with their retirement and I was given the opportunity to move to their house to try something else in life," Benthe said.

Two years later they met Benthe’s partner, moved to Åsele and now has a small family of bonus daughters and cats. There is her twin brother and older sister.

Diversified profession

Currently working Benthe as a nurse with digital healthcare contacts at a private health care provider who supports people fighting against overweight.

"The best thing about my profession is to help other people in the best way, offer presence, support relatives, have the human connection. to treat diseases as well as possible in cooperation with other specialists and professional groups. The versatility of the profession makes you enjoy the work, says Benthe, who also provides HLR courses that also make her job as a nurse in the resort versatile.

"I have been given the opportunity to work as an instructor and teach others in the municipality to save lives.

Although the career opportunities for nurses are relatively small in Åsele, it is advisable to work at a small country town if Benthe thinks outside the box:

"One opportunity is to try working from home, work in a different way.

Silence in Nature

The benefits of working and living in Åsele are many, says Benthe. Calm, less stress, a work tempo lower than you are used to in Amsterdam, are a few. And not least to enjoy nature with silence around.

It’s quiet when you’re out in the woods. You don’t hear any planes, cars or people. It is possible to be alone and enjoy nature. Åsele is a small town compared to Amsterdam, so you know a lot of people, and a lot of people know you. It can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

You can go to business without much traffic. It is safe and safe for young people and children to grow up in, says Benthe.

The wish for change

A desire to try something completely different was dominant for Benthe’s decision to move to Sweden.

I was curious and needed change in my life. I spent several holidays in Sweden with my parents, so it wasn’t completely new. At the same time, I never felt it would be a definite thing. The idea that I could always return home was also soothing. So far, I have not felt the need to move back.

Important learning the language

When Benthe searched for a job in the home office, she got a job right away. She was very pleasantly treated and received a lot of support in learning the Swedish language. At the same time, she learned Swedish through SFI courses.

A tip to others who go in shifting links to the region is to be prepared to have to do a lot of themselves, as well as lower their social expectations.

"It is not easy to build a social network pain within the age group 25 years and up. Learning the language is most important to cope with daily contact with other people. I would say that is a must. Learn the language and have an open response.

Text: Monica Wiksten Gideonsson
Photo: www.ricke.se