Jonas

Jonas from Germany was drawn to Sweden due to its technological standards, focus on sustainability and innovative infrastructure. He completed a month-long Erasmus+ internship at LifeFinder in Lund, and shares his experience. 

Please tell us more about LifeFinder and what you did during your time there. 
LifeFinder is a small start-up that develops safety and alarm sensors designed to locate crew members on large container ships in emergency situations. The sensors automatically trigger an alarm in cases such as falls, fire, or contact with water, and they can also be activated manually. 

During my time at LifeFinder, I was involved in smaller tasks related to database work. Additionally, I participated in the initial testing of the self-developed wireless transmitters. These operate similarly to WiFi routers and enable communication between the sensor systems and the ship. As LifeFinder is a young and relatively small company, each day brought new challenges, which made the work diverse and engaging. 

Was it difficult for you to adapt to life in Sweden?
At first, I was a little apprehensive about the new and unfamiliar situation, but overall, I would say that adapting to life in Sweden was not particularly difficult.

Of course, Sweden was a new country for me with a different language and culture, and many new people to meet, but that is precisely what makes the experience so special. I got on very well with my two flatmates, which made everyday life much easier. 

What are the top three highlights from your time in Sweden?
It is actually difficult to narrow my experience down to just three highlights, as I had so many memorable moments. 

If I had to choose, one cherished memory is meeting new people and forming friendships. At weekends, we often spent time together in bars or cosy cafés.

Another memorable part of the experience was exploring cities. Malmö is a very beautiful city, and although Copenhagen is not part of Sweden, it left a strong impression on me. 

The third highlight for me was attending sport events. I visited an ice hockey game featuring the Malmö Redhawks, as well as a Europa League match of Malmö FF. These experiences were very special and felt quite different compared to sport events in Germany.

If someone is considering applying for an Erasmus+ internship abroad but feels unsure, what would you say to them?
I would wholeheartedly encourage them to go for it. You learn so much about different cultures, gain experience in an international work environment, and develop valuable personal insights. On top of that, you get to explore beautiful cities and landscapes, improve your English, and build meaningful connections. 

I personally hesitated for a long time because I did not consider my English to be very strong. Looking back, I can say that there is really no need to worry. Everyone tries to understand you, and even if you have to ask something two or three times, nobody will judge you. I would do it again without hesitation.