Going to Gothenburg for my audiology traineeship was a decision that completely transformed me. I arrived in January not knowing what to expect, but very quickly the city and the people I met made me feel like I belonged there.

Professionally, the experience was truly inspiring. I got to observe real clinical practice up close and understand how audiology is approached in a completely different health system and I got to meet some great Swedish audiologists who helped me a lot in this journey. I also visited some clinics and spent time at Cochlear, where I gained a clearer vision of how many directions audiology can take such as clinical work, research, technology, rehabilitation, innovation. It opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't even considered before.

But the heart of my Erasmus wasn’t just the traineeship, it was the friendships. I met people who turned everyday routines into memories I’ll never forget. We got to explore the islands around Gothenburg, had our weekly Nordic dips in the freezing lakes, and warmed up again in the sauna while sharing our stories and getting to know each other. I will always remember the good times we spent on our nights out in town, the pre games before Yaki-da, and our beloved Kafé Magasinet I feel so lucky to have met all these people from different parts of the world, I will always have them in my heart and to this day we are all still in touch and I hope it stays that way.

Gothenburg slowly became more than a place; it became home. A home built through shared dinners, inside jokes, tram rides, cold and rain, warm saunas, and the kind of friendships that make saying goodbye feel impossible. I went to Sweden for a traineeship in audiology, but I came back with a fuller heart, a broader vision of my future, and a second home I know I’ll return to.