Week 0 - Finding an Internship

Finding an internship...

Landing an internship in Sweden – how hard could it be? I thought. Plot twist: pretty hard.

In Sweden, it feels like there are more cinnamon buns than officially advertised internships – especially in public administration. While other countries bombard you with listings, Sweden hits you with empty search results and the existential question: “Do internships here even exist, or are they just a myth locals tell each other over fika?”

So I started sending out speculative applications. A lot of speculative applications. So many that my laptop probably thinks I’ve become a very polite spam bot. I stalked websites, hunted down contacts, crafted emails, followed up, stayed friendly – and mostly got… silence.

The few internships that are advertised are insanely popular. When a listing finally appears, it feels like a flash sale: everyone dives in at once and you just hope your application doesn’t disappear into the digital void.

In the end, I didn’t get my internship thanks to the perfect strategy or a flawless application, but through pure fate. One of those “we we´re just thinking of hiring an intern when we received your email” moments. And that’s when it hit me: in Sweden, the road to an internship is a chaotic mix of persistence, luck, and a healthy dose of self‑irony. Which, to be honest, makes it the perfect story to blog about.

After countless interview marathons, email ping-pong matches, and enough rejection emails to wallpaper my apartment, I finally struck gold: my internship spot at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm (KMH)! Cue the dramatic music swell.

KMH Campus, Photo: Åke E:son Lundman. 

Dream come true alert! For a former music student like me, KMH isn’t just a school—it’s basically music nerd heaven. Picture this: "The Royal College of Music in Stockholm educates musicians and music teachers at the highest international level. KMH traces its roots back to 1771, and has moved into a modern campus area – the music college of the future. We preserve our musical heritage, and at the same time we are constantly developing." I’ve only met my bosses online so far, but the vibe already feels like joining the coolest musical family ever—welcoming, creative, and buzzing with that future-forward energy.

I could spill all the juicy details about my tasks and responsibilities right now… but where’s the fun in that? What’s a blog without a little suspense? Stay tuned—the real adventure kicks off soon! 🎶

The college library is housed in the converted stable building. Photo: Ola Fogelström