Nalinee - vad hände sen?
”I’ve become more independent. I’m proud of myself that I came to Sweden without speaking the language or having any friends. Sometimes I still can’t imagine that I left my family all those years ago. I don’t regret anything.”
Nalinee came to Sweden in 2017 and through Jobbentrén she got a job within logistics. Several years have now gone by and we met again to talk about her life. This is her story.
“I came to Sweden for love. Back home I lived with my family; my mom, grandmother and my younger sister. My mother took care of everything, and I relied on her. When I decided to move, I told her that it would be for a two-year trial. If I didn’t get a job within the first two years, I would come back.
I got a job opportunity and worked there for 3,5 years. Since I started working there, I feel like my life is more secure and there are more opportunities. Now I’m unemployed and looking for new opportunities.
Life in Thailand is very different, you don’t have the same support from the government. For example, when it comes to education, parents must work really hard if they want their children to get into a good school as the tuition fees are expensive.
There are difficulties living in Sweden too. Learning the Swedish language is hard, and socializing has its challenges, swedes are shy and quiet. They seem to like to stick together in their groups rather than being open to new people. It’s hard since I didn’t grow up here, most of my friends are in Thailand, so when I’m going through difficult times it would be nice to have someone to speak to here. I’m still together with the person that I moved here for, which has made some things a bit easier.
A few months ago I travelled home to visit family and it was nice to be back. But when I got there I already missed Sweden; the quietness and people giving you space. In Thailand you can’t find your own space.
Right now I’m at a point where I feel a little lost. I keep wondering what I should be doing – what do I want to do with my life? Should I study? I want to find something that I’m good at. But in the end I know everything is going in the right direction and that I made a good decision.”