In this episode of The 100 International Student Project, I sit down with my friend Maddalena, who came from Italy to Sweden to pursue her studies and has been living here for the past few years.

We talk about a question every international student in Sweden gets asked — “Why Sweden?” — and explore what it really means to learn, live, and grow in a new country.

From cultural differences between Italy and Sweden, to everyday student life, friendship, and the challenge of adapting to a slower, quieter rhythm, this is a warm and honest conversation about building a life abroad.

In this episode, we talk about:

🇸🇪 Why international students choose Sweden

🎓 The contrasts between studying in Italy and Sweden

☕ Swedish culture, fika breaks, and work-life balance

💬 Making friends and learning to understand social distance

💼 Finding your place after graduation

A candid conversation about learning beyond the classroom — about finding balance, connection, and personal growth while building a new life far from home.