Between late-night karaoke, strolls through Gamla Stan, and getting ready to start my internship at GreenIron, my first week in Stockholm has been full of excitement and new beginnings. I’ve already packed in so much, from touristy adventures to nightlife explorations and, of course, starting my internship at GreenIron. It’s been an incredible blend of excitement, learning, and adjustment, and I can confidently say I’m starting to fall in love with Stockholm.
This weekend, I had my first glimpse of Stockholm’s nightlife, which, in true chaotic fashion, included bar-hopping, dancing until 3 a.m., and a highly entertaining visit to a karaoke bar. Now, let me tell you: the only way a Swede is getting up to sing in public is if they’re about two drinks away from passing out. And even then, they still somehow manage to sing better than most sober people I know. It was hilarious to watch them timidly shuffle up to the mic, confidently butcher the first verse of a pop song, then suddenly nail the chorus like they were auditioning for Swedish Idol. A performance rollercoaster, to say the least.
During the week, I made time after work to explore the old town, Gamla Stan, wandering cobblestone streets with friends, popping into shops and cozy cafes, and snapping photos of the colorful historic buildings. There’s a magic to this city that I didn’t expect to hit me so quickly. I find myself constantly wanting to absorb more of the culture, the people, and the rhythm of life here.
Now, let’s talk about work, because starting my internship at GreenIron has been an equally rich part of this experience.
My first week at work was genuinely enjoyable, though I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little overwhelming at first. Thankfully, GreenIron’s size as a startup means the team isn’t huge, which I’ve come to really appreciate. With fewer people, introductions felt more personal and meaningful, and it quickly became clear that everyone here plays a key role in keeping things moving forward.
What stood out most to me during these early days was how friendly, curious, and welcoming everyone has been. As part of onboarding, I had one-on-one meetings with each team member, either in person or over Zoom. These weren’t just “this is what I do” meetings—they were real conversations. We shared stories about our backgrounds, hobbies, families, and how we each landed here. After that, each colleague explained what their role means to them and what they typically accomplish at the company. I found this deeply personal and even a bit surprising. While I think part of it is due to the startup nature of GreenIron, I also believe Swedish workplace culture plays a role, emphasizing connection, trust, and shared purpose.
I have loved having the opportunity to get to know my new colleagues, as I am fascinated (and a little starstruck) by each of their background stories. They’re all so accomplished, passionate, and generous with their time. It’s both humbling and motivating.
As I settled into my role and started getting a feel for the pace at GreenIron, I began to notice some areas where I could grow, particularly when it comes to managing my time. I’ll admit, time management has never exactly been my strong suit. And stepping into a fast-moving, constantly evolving work environment like this one made it clear that I’d need to sharpen those skills. During my first week, I tried sticking to a strict daily schedule… but that plan unraveled pretty quickly. Meetings pop up, priorities shift, and no two days play out the same. So, I had to adapt—and fast.
Right now, my approach is more fluid: I write down a daily list of tasks and work through them as best as I can throughout the day. If I start to feel drained or stuck on one item, I move on to another and cycle back later. Some tasks are more urgent than others, so I try to identify what requires my attention first and invest the most energy there. While I haven’t been given many hard deadlines yet, I know I’ll need to keep track of those as they come and learn to juggle multiple deliverables at once.
One huge lesson I’ve already learned is that a lot of my past struggles with time management actually stemmed from being too afraid to ask questions. I used to hesitate, worried about bothering people or appearing inexperienced. But here at GreenIron, that fear is fading. Everyone has been so open, patient, and eager to help. It’s clear that questions are welcomed, not judged, which has been a game-changer for my confidence and productivity.
As I move forward, I want to hold onto that lesson. Asking questions not only helps me manage my tasks better, but it also helps me learn faster, stay aligned with the team, and feel more connected to the work I’m doing.
In many ways, this first week has been about finding balance. Between adjusting to a new country, a new city, and a new workplace, I’m learning that flexibility, curiosity, and communication are key. I know I have a lot to improve on when it comes to prioritizing and staying on track, but I also feel supported and encouraged to grow at my own pace.
I can already tell that this internship will be as much about personal development as it is about professional experience. And I’m here for all of it.
