Intervju med Admirè på engelska
IAESTE: So Admirè, could you tell us a little about your background?
Admirè: I was born in Zimbabwe, but I spent most of my life in Botswana where I also study Computer Science and Software Engineering at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, it is located in a town called Palapye.
IAESTE: How did you hear about IAESTE in your university?
Admirè: My school just joined IAESTE and I was lucky to be chosen as the student they wanted to nominate for this position in Volvo that was advertised through IAESTE.
IAESTE: And did you hesitate to go for it?
Admirè: No way, not at all! It was a big honor to be nominated.
IAESTE: You are also the first ever outgoing IAESTE student from Botswana…
Admirè: That part always blew me away… what! Should I come to Sweden wearing a flag or something… (laughs)
IAESTE: What were your expectations before coming here and how did it turn out to be?
Admirè: Professionally, I expected to be working with dedicated people. In college, there’s always a mix of motivation levels, but I hoped to work with people as motivated as I am in the workplace.
Apart from school projects, I do not have a lot of previous work experience to compare with. I think that the work climate in Sweden is more relaxed, in a good way though. I’ve been able to be completely honest with my manager and she trusts that I will manage my time well and get my tasks done. She doesn’t have to keep a strong eye on me, and that makes me feel very respected as an employee. That is one thing I really appreciate, and of course, the “fika” is great too!
Professionally, I would say the experience has exceeded my expectations. I have been really inspired by the team. And I find everybody very humble. We use our first names when we communicate, which was strange and felt too informal at first, but it makes people feel more accessible.
I have found some challenges when it comes to the social life in Sweden though, it is really very different… people are more reserved here… people are more open and chatty at home, I kind of have to hold back that side here…
IAESTE: That is kind of a well-known Swedish stereotype… had you heard about it before coming here?
Admirè: Fortunately, I had watched some YouTube videos, so I was prepared, I knew some of the cultural ways… so I was not offended when someone did not want to sit next to me on the tram…(laughs)
IAESTE: Do you see any Volvo cars in the streets of Botswana?
Admirè: Yes they are there… though as Volvo has evolved into a premium car brand there are more older models you would see in Botswana, haven’t seen the BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). So when I got here I got to see many newer models that I never saw before… thinking “this is so pretty”…(laughs). And here you get the chance to see the shining new models that are not even out on the market yet.
IAESTE: Did you get a chance to drive any of them yet?
Admirè: Ah, no… leaving home I left my driving license at home on purpose… I thought there would be no way they would accept it here – driving on the other side of the road and everything – but actually found out there may be a chance… but then I’ll have to send it by courier from home, quite expensive… So far, I watch it from the side and control the music being played in the car, that’s my role in the team (laughs).
IAESTE: How do you find everyday life here – like going to the supermarket for instance?
Admirè: Shopping for food was one of the more challenging experiences before getting used to it … brands I do not recognize at all… and everything is in Swedish… One of my favorite food items from back home is called polony, what is that in Swedish…? I had no idea and nobody knew… then I finally found out it was “falukorv” (a traditional Swedish sausage). Another Swedish thing I tried was salty licorice, but that was absolutely horrible, never again!
IAESTE: Could you see yourself working in Sweden in the future?
Admirè: I think I would, Rosalie (Admirè’s manager) and I chat about this too. I like the team and I like the working environment here… I like solving problems. In this kind of work a myriad of problems turn up all the time and you can sort of pick which ones to go for to solve, using your programming or coding skills, for instance, I also really enjoy participating in the hackathons here.
IAESTE: Do you feel you have been able to contribute to the team in Volvo?
Admirè: I hope I have, maybe the team could answer that better… I could not compete with the CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) engineers on their thing, but I bring a programming-intensive take on things, and in that, I believe we can really complement each other.
IAESTE: Would you recommend other students to go for IAESTE internships?
Admirè: Definitely, just do it, give it a shot! Many people do not really believe in themselves enough to try. Still, in reality, company teams are understanding and there is room to learn a lot of things – I learned a lot about CFD here for instance, with no previous knowledge in that field. Sweden is different socially, but you should not be afraid to put yourself in sometimes uncomfortable positions – I have done that and hence been able to communicate with more people – in other departments here for instance – and make friendships and work relations that otherwise would not have happened.
