Broadening horizons with KION in Sweden

There are currently about 50 KION employees on international assignments around the world. These assignments give employees an opportunity to live and work in a different country for a limited period. In addition to benefits for the KION Group, including the exchange of expertise and experiences, an international assignment also has benefits for the employee. These include greater responsibility in the workplace, better career prospects, and the opportunity to build up intercultural awareness.

In April 2017, Miguel Valdenebro Alonso moved from Linde in Barcelona to the finance department at Linde's Swedish office in Örebro. Read on to find out more about his life as an expat.

Miguel on…

… his new home:

Örebro may be a small town, but it offers a great quality of life. You can get everywhere on foot or by bicycle. I've noticed that the Swedes have a great respect for nature, and the whole country is focused on living in it and with it. I really like that.

I've already visited other places in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Some friends from home visited me over Easter to go snowshoe trekking, and we had intended to spend the night in a tent. But we changed our minds when we realized it would be minus 27°C outside.

... a different climate and a different culture:

It hardly gets light in Sweden in November and December, and hardly gets dark during summer. That influences the rhythm of life. Everything is a little slower and more relaxed here in Sweden. But there's one thing I just can't get used to – the Swedes plan their life for months in advance!

… his new working day:

Lunch is eaten at noon in Sweden – we have ours a lot later in Spain. But I do like the Swedish tradition of 'Fika'. Whatever you're working on, you take a break from it to enjoy a coffee with colleagues, family, or friends.

My colleagues are really nice and always happy to help. Some of the work I do here is the same as in Spain, but I also have new tasks.

I would recommend an international assignment to any KION colleague if they get the opportunity. It is great for personal and professional development, and you can learn a lot while staying within the same company. That makes the transition easier. I'll never forget my time in Sweden – but I still don't know how to assemble IKEA furniture …