Swedish interns, Filippa Dahlback and Laura Baram, talked about their time in the Embassy of Sweden in Maputo.
The Embassy receives Swedish interns every semester looking to gaining practical experience on the diplomatic and cooperation affairs of Sweden. They came as part of the Internship Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sweden. This is what they said about their time in Mozambique:
Why did you choose to do your internship in Mozambique?
We chose Mozambique because we had an interest in the region. I [Filippa] had previously studied a bit of Africa’s modern history and Swahili and had for a long time been wanting to go to this part of the world. I [Filippa] also found Mozambique to be an interesting country and the Embassy seemed to have a lot to offer me within the scope of what I’m studying – I felt like I could really get a chance to put my knowledge into practice here.
What is the best thing about the internship in this Embassy?
The best thing with this internship is that you get to do some many different things! Everyone encourages you to participate in what is of interest for you, even if it’s not precisely what your supervisors are engaged in. There is the opportunity to do various tasks and get a good insight in what it is like to work at a Swedish authority abroad.
What do you like about living in Maputo?
We love living in Maputo! There are always events going on in this city and you never have a boring day/evening. Whatever you’re interested in doing, surely you will find it somewhere in Maputo. Spontaneous gatherings are every day-things here. The people are social and friendly and it’s easy to meet new friends. In addition, it’s also easy to travel to nearby places (even other countries) over a weekend.
What is your recommendation for those interested in doing an internship at the Swedish Embassy in Maputo?
If you’re thinking about it – don’t hesitate to apply. The Embassy has so much to offer and leaves you feeling like you are truly a part of the team. The city is easy to fall in love with and the Portuguese is easy to understand if you speak any similar language.
