Annika Taylor, is an international student from Dubai. After studying in Ireland for a year, she found a sense of belonging at the University of Skövde during the introduction week. Currently studying the Molecular Biodesign programme, Annika appreciates Skövde's 'lagom' atmosphere and the diverse community she has encountered. She looks forward to her studies and embracing the cultural diversity Skövde offers.
International student Annika Taylor moved to Skövde in August this year. She is from Dubai and grew up in a small, conservative town with many traditional customs and values. She lived in Dubai for 17 years, until she moved to Tallinn, Estonia, with her family to finish high school.
“Moving to Tallinn was very dauting at first as the culture was very open and free; people were allowed to express themselves. It was a big shift.”
Applying for University
After graduating high school, Annika worked with kids while applying to universities. She has always had an interest in the biology/chemistry field, and she found two programmes that she applied to – one in Skövde and one in Ireland.
She was accepted into the University of Ireland in Donegal, to the Pharmaceutical Medical Science Programme. She studied in Ireland for one year but felt dissatisfied with the school and the culture.
“I didn't feel a sense of belonging and could not relate to the culture and people.”
She reapplied to the University of Skövde and got accepted. Once again, she moved to a new country, and this time she hoped she would feel at home. Annika arrived in Skövde in August, where she attended an introduction week. This week really helped her settle in. The new students got to meet their new classmates, the instructors, and explore the town. She said she found friends during the introduction week; the first week made her feel very welcomed to Skövde.
Annika is currently studying te three-year programme Molecular Biodesign, taught in English. She is also taking a basic Swedish class to learn the language. She chose this programme for the possibilities to better understand disease, and to discover and develop medications for various diseases.
"My dream is to help create a better and healthier future for people and I believe that the programme here in Skövde will be able to help me get a head start to fulfill that dream.”
Sweden and Skövde
Before moving to Sweden, she did not know much more about the country than that ABBA and IKEA are from here. After living in Skövde for about a month, she got a different perspective of what the country, and Skövde, has to offer and how people live their lives.
“People in Sweden enjoy socialising, have fika and like to be physically active. Skövde is a very walkable city with many bike paths, shops and cafes and the public transportation is great with buses that goes all around town.”
She has recently learned what the word 'lagom' means, which she thinks describes Skövde very well. Skövde is a very 'lagom' city - calm but not too quiet. It's not too big, and not too small.
What's next?
When Annika finishes the programme, she's not sure what she wants to do next. She might consider doing a Master's programme, but now she's focused on living in the moment and hope to get inspired during her three years in Skövde.
“I've only lived here for a couple of months, and I feel very happy with the university, the city, and the people here. I was shocked at first of how much diversity Skövde has to offer in a small area, I've met people from Germany, Greece and Singapore and many more. I will say that from my experience, it is important to keep an open mind about different cultures and people to be able to fully experience and get immersed into a new culture.”
