Relocating to another country isn’t just about settling into a new place – it’s about finding your voice and your people. For expat partner Elisabete Neiva communication and community made all the difference.
Starting from scratch
A native of Porto, Elisabete gave up her full-time HR role before relocating to Lund. Her main priority was her teenage son, helping him navigate a tricky transition. But the adjustment period was challenging for her, too. “I didn’t speak English very well, so that became my next priority,” she says. “I also studied Swedish for a while, just to get the basics. But I decided that improving my English would be more useful for day-to-day life here as well as future relocations.”
Finding purpose locally
Although Elisabete continued to do a few hours of remote work for her employer in Portugal, she was eager to build new connections in Sweden. “I started volunteering every Sunday with the Red Cross, helping to serve soup and sandwiches or arrange clothes for homeless people,” she explains. “It’s helped me connect with the community and given me a chance to practise Swedish, especially when chatting with an 80-year-old Swedish woman who volunteers with me! It’s been such a rewarding experience.”
Kindness and connection
“In Sweden, you might think it’s a rich country because you don’t see homeless people as you do in many European cities,” Elisabete says. “But there are still people here who are in need. Sometimes you just give them soup and a sandwich and share a few words. Other times, you listen to their stories. Many have no family or contact with loved ones, and they appreciate a moment of kindness and connection.”
A sense of belonging
Elisabete eventually found a part-time position as a financial assistant with a company in Copenhagen, just a short commute from Lund. “I go to the office once a week and work from home the other two days. But I still continue volunteering twice a month,” she says. “I have a nice variety in my life now, and after two years, I can say that I feel well settled. I’m very thankful for the support from Global Connection, which encouraged me to stay patient, trust the process, and find ways to build a sense of belonging here in Sweden.”
Photo: Elisabete Neiva
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