Veronica Nilsson – Traineeship with Children

How is it that you chose to do a traineeship abroad?

I have always wanted to live in Paris. I have been there on many occasions and I visit Paris at least once a year.

We study social psychology, which is of great interest to me. My curiosity in combination with my knowledge around organizational and global processes therefore gave rise to the idea of ​​conducting research interviews in Paris. I had studied French at Linköping University earlier and when I contacted my Study and Career Counsellor at Karlstad University, I received very good information about what opportunities I had to make my dream come true.

Where did you do your traineeship?

I was based at the Church of Sweden in Paris. It was practical and safe because Axel also went to the Swedish School in Paris, which was located at the same address as the Church of Sweden.

During my traineeship, I wanted to investigate connection theories; how it comes about that you apply to different organizations when you move to a new city. I conducted interviews with people who had moved from Sweden to Paris and in this way gained good knowledge of situations, both good and more challenging, that can arise when Swedes try to blend in / integrate into French society.

Why did you choose to bring your son to the traineeship?

I think it is important to show the world to our children, they should get the opportunity to discover differences and see something other than Swedish society. I wanted to show that the world is global and that if you want, there are no major barriers to travelling and taking part in all the exciting things that can be experienced.

Was it difficult to arrange a traineeship and school?

It took some time. I probably did it for about a year and a half. There were many discussions back and forth because the pandemic affected plans and I only really knew a few weeks before it could really happen.

Private school costs a lot and accommodation is also expensive in Paris, so I had to budget for them. I did manage to find a good apartment in a nice area, which was important to me. I wanted to feel safe in the accommodation when I lived there with my son.

Do you have any tips for those who want to go on a traineeship abroad with children?

I think it is good to make a list of what you want out of the trip and what your children want out of it too. If you as an adult are to get something out of the trip, your children must also benefit, otherwise it will not work. The first step is to investigate whether the trip is possible based on your child's needs.

It is also important to start in plenty of time. Traineeships abroad take a long time to plan, even when it is not a pandemic. Also, examine your child's school as there are special rules that need to be met. It is important to know that the school works so that your child feels safe there and that it feels safe for you as a parent to leave your child in school.

Go! It is a fantastic experience for both children and adults!