Giovanni

Giovanni came to Sweden to complete a three-month internship as a Marketing Specialist at Grobruket in Lomma, just outside Lund. Originally from Italy, he studies marketing and digital marketing, and has the long-term ambition of helping his family business grow and expand internationally. He chose Sweden to put his studies into practice and to gain some valuable international experience. 

Can you explain what your employer Grobruket does and what you did during your time there?
Grobruket is a Swedish company with two main areas of activity. One part of the business offers a beautiful, nature-based venue where companies can host conferences and corporate events, with catering included. The other branch focuses on developing fertilisers for plants.

During my internship, I worked as a Marketing Specialist, improving and optimising the website and promoting content through online advertising, such as Google Ads and Meta ads. I also worked on email marketing activities to support customer retention and maintain high engagement.

How did working in Sweden differ from working or studying in Italy?
Working in Sweden felt quite different from working or studying in Italy. The focus seems to be less on constant performance and more on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. What stood out to me most was the strong sense of ownership and trust: people are willing to give you responsibility and rely on your abilities.

At the same time, my understanding is that there is a high level of punctuality and consistency in working hours in Sweden. When the workday ends, it truly ends, and discussions are often postponed until the next day to protect work–life balance. 

Communication and feedback also felt very open, with the opportunity to speak directly with management without barriers. Finally, the fika break was a wonderful tradition - a moment to pause, connect briefly, and then return to work with renewed focus.

What was the most memorable moment from your time in Sweden?
Choosing a single memorable moment from my time in Sweden is difficult. Since I travelled by car, I had the opportunity to explore extensively, and some of my favourite memories are from weekends spent driving long distances to discover different parts of the country. Sweden is vast and incredibly beautiful, and I loved experiencing new landscapes. 

Why did you decide to do an Erasmus+ internship?
I decided to undertake an Erasmus+ internship for three main reasons. First, I wanted to improve my English. Second, I was strongly drawn to Sweden, both for its culture and its landscapes, and I was curious to experience its approach to work culture and work–life balance. Finally, I had long dreamed of living abroad, and all these reasons made Sweden the perfect destination for me.