“I was curious and needed a change in my life”
Nurse Benthe Bergsma came to Åsele hoping to try something completely new. She had spent several vacations in the region with her parents in the past and felt that something was missing back home in Amsterdam.
–“So far, I haven’t felt the need to move back,” says Benthe.
When Benthe Bergsma arrived in the village of Björksele, Åsele, in 2022, she began working in home health care while waiting for the Swedish translation of her nursing license. In the Netherlands, she had worked as a nurse at a hospital in the capital, Amsterdam, but always felt that something was missing in her home country.
“After trying to further my education in emergency care, I realized I was in the wrong place. My parents had already moved to Sweden when they retired, and then I was offered the chance to move into their house to try something different in life,” says 30-year-old Benthe.
Two years later, Benthe met her partner, moved to Åsele, and now has a small family with a stepdaughter and a cat. Her twin brother and older sister still live in the Netherlands.
A Versatile Career
Benthe currently works as a nurse providing digital healthcare services at a private healthcare provider that supports people struggling with obesity.
“The best part of my profession is being able to help others in the best way possible, offering a listening ear, supporting family members, and maintaining that human connection. It’s also about treating illnesses as effectively as possible in collaboration with other specialists and professionals. The versatility of the profession makes the work rewarding,” says Benthe, who also teaches CPR courses—which further adds to the variety of her job as a local nurse.
–I’ve had the opportunity to work as an instructor and teach others in the municipality how to save lives.
Although career opportunities for nurses are relatively limited in Åsele, it’s perfectly possible to work in a small inland town if, like Benthe, you think outside the box:
–One option is to try working from home, to work in a different way.
The Silence of Nature
Benthe believes there are many advantages to working and living in Åsele. The peace and quiet, less stress, and a slower pace of work than what one is used to in Amsterdam are just a few. And, not least, being able to enjoy nature with silence all around.
–It’s quiet when you’re out in the woods. You don’t hear any airplanes, cars, or people. You have the chance to truly 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. That can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
“You can go to stores without much traffic. It’s a safe and secure place for young people and children to grow up in,” says Benthe.
The Desire for Change
A desire to try something completely different was the main factor behind Benthe's decision to move to Sweden.
–I was curious and needed a change in my life. I’ve spent several vacations in Sweden with my parents, so it wasn’t entirely new to me. At the same time, I never felt like it would be permanent. The thought that I could always return home was also reassuring. But so far, I haven’t felt the need to move back.
It's important to learn the language
When Benthe applied for a job in home care, she was hired right away. She was treated very kindly there and received a lot of support in learning Swedish. While working, she took SFI courses to learn Swedish.
Her advice to others who are thinking about moving to the region is to be prepared to do a lot on their own and to lower their social expectations, she says.
–It’s not easy to build a social network among people aged 25 and older. Learning the language is absolutely essential for getting by in your daily interactions with others. I’d say that’s a must. Learn the language, and be open-minded.
Text: Monica Wiksten Gideonsson
Photo: www.ricke.se
