Highly skilled, still invisible

Through the story of Vendula Pokorna, Aamna Tauheed explores the silent professional struggles many internationals encounter in Sweden after graduation.

Photographs: Vendula Pokorna

Text: Aamna Tauheed

The January edition of International Denmark featured an article about the expansion of #TheForgottenGold Movement from Denmark to the rest of Scandinavia. This month, we aim to address the challenges faced by internationals living in Sweden by sharing the story of Vendula Pokorna. Originally from the Czech Republic and a master's graduate of Lund University, Vendula lives in Skåne, Sweden. Her story mirrors the professional struggles of so many internationals living in different cities in Sweden.

According to the published report (2025) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sweden received 76,000 international migrants in 2024 on a long-term or permanent basis. Approximately 12,000 permits were issued to international students in the same year, and 2,800 permits were issued to temporary and seasonal labour immigrants, but most of them are still struggling professionally.

The promise of an inclusive society and a diverse work culture often clash with the reality experienced by internationals living in Sweden. Educational institutions in Malmö and Lund attract thousands of international students every year, yet the transition from graduation to permanent employment remains unexpectedly challenging. Despite learning the language and making efforts to integrate into Swedish society, many internationals are still seeking jobs in the Swedish market.

In Vendula's words: “Many internationals, especially those living in Southern Sweden, tried their luck in the job market by crossing the Øresund Bridge to Copenhagen because they feel the job market appears more open in Denmark than in Sweden. I got my first job in Copenhagen after I graduated from Lund University. Although it was a small data-entry job that was somewhat relevant to my field of data analysis, I found one in Denmark. Malmö is not far from Copenhagen, so now I am trying to find a professional job in both Denmark and Sweden.”

Regardless of what Vendula shared about her first job in Copenhagen, many international professionals are seeking field-related jobs in both Denmark and Sweden. The previously published stories of participants from Denmark in #TheForgottenGold section of The International Denmark were clear enough to highlight the challenges faced by internationals living in Denmark.

A journey shaped by academic culture

Vendula is originally from the Czech Republic and holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Economics. She also holds a master’s degree in data analysis from Lund University and has spent the past few years studying and working across Sweden and Denmark. During her bachelor's, she spent two semesters in Finland as an Erasmus exchange student.

“The difference in academic culture between the Czech Republic and Finland was significant. It showed me that the experience I had at home wasn’t common everywhere, and didn’t have to be that way. Inspired by Scandinavian culture, I decided to pursue my master's degree there. I was so glad to be accepted into the Social Scientific Data Analysis Program at Lund University in Sweden, which combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to the social sciences,” she shared when I asked about her decision to move to Sweden.

“The master's degree programme aligned well with my expectations. Now I can do the statistics and some programming, but I still understand the social aspect of things. After studying research methods, I understand why looking only at numbers is insufficient. One must see the people behind them.” She excitedly shared her learning experience at Lund University.

Her time at Lund University was positive both academically and socially. She enjoyed the international environment and the collaborative teaching approach.

“We are not asking for special treatment, just a fair and equal chance in the Scandinavian job market.”

The struggle to find a student job

Despite a positive academic experience, Vendula quickly noticed how difficult it was to find a job in southern Sweden as an international student.

“When I tried to search for jobs around Malmö, it was very hard to find something that didn’t require fluent Swedish,” she said while talking about her job-seeking period during and after studies.

While some classmates took part-time jobs in cafés or service roles, she wanted to find something more relevant to her field. After struggling to find opportunities locally, she broadened her search to Copenhagen.

“In my opinion and research, Copenhagen has so many international companies, and there are more professional opportunities there for internationals without language restrictions, so I decided to apply there for student positions as well.”

Vendula eventually secured a student assistant role in Copenhagen, working as a data entry assistant for an economic consultancy. The job was mostly remote with occasional trips to the office, making it manageable alongside her studies.

A promising start seems to be a hoax

Vendula secured a project-based research assistant position at the University of Copenhagen after graduation. It was a paid position directly relevant to her field of study.

“I thought I had won the game and was very happy. Although the position was tied to a project with limited funding, I felt relieved that I was not jobless and could thrive in my field. I also believed that new doors would open after this temporary position, but I got so many surprises after that,” she said with a smile.

Lowered expectations and a job for survival

While searching for a new job, Vendula also registered with Sweden's unemployment agency for guidance.

“Perhaps it's my perception, and I may be wrong, but I felt they suggested I relocate to the North side of the country or lower my expectations,” she said when I inquired about the advice she received from the agency.

Vendula also shared that she heard similar stories from other internationals at job fairs or networking events. “When we say we are searching for professional jobs relevant to our field of study, they just tell us to move to northern Sweden and take cleaning or hotel jobs.”

Now, Vendula feels alienated and trapped in the labyrinth of job seeking in both Sweden and Denmark. She now works a manual job at a postal package terminal to survive in Sweden.

“I am not demeaning or naming jobs like housekeeping, packing, and cleaning. I didn’t study Anthropology and Data Analysis for years in universities to do these jobs. It is my wish to establish my career in my relevant field.”

The mental toll of a job-seeking period

After more than a year of applying, networking and volunteering in both Sweden and Denmark, the frustration continues to build.

“I have been trying harder to find a job relevant to my studies for more than 2 years, but it’s going nowhere,” she admitted. “Every time I find something that fits my profile and send my application, hoping for an opportunity, I get rejected. It’s hard not to lose a sense of your own value when nobody wants to work with you. This job-seeking period takes a huge toll on my mental health, but starting again after small breaks is my strategy to stay motivated during this period.”

She believes that many internationals are highly motivated and resilient despite the struggles they have faced in the job market. “A longer unemployment period does not make them unworthy or affect their skills. It might mean they’ll demonstrate their skills and perform excellently to prove they are the right choice.”

#TheForgottenGold

Vendula’s story reflects the experience of many qualified and highly skilled internationals who have been living in Sweden and struggling professionally. These internationals represent what #TheForgottenGold movement calls the “forgotten gold”—people with skills, knowledge, and motivation whose potential remains largely untapped.

They are often told that diversity and international talent are valued in Scandinavian countries, but the professional struggle of thousands of internationals demonstrates a different story.

In Vendula`s words, the hope is simple: “We are not asking for special treatment, just a fair and equal chance in the Scandinavian job market, and you won't get disappointed by giving it.”