Research trip to Sweden

A one-week research trip to Sweden took place in cooperation with Dr. Stefan Sjöberg(Opens in a new tab)  (Associate Professor of Social Work) from the University of Gävle(Opens in a new tab)  (Sweden). Prof. Dr. Ute Fischer(Opens in a new tab)  traveled to Gävle with the students as part of a seminar in the Master's in Social Sustainability and Demographic Change(Opens in a new tab)  to learn about the Swedish and German welfare state models in an international comparison of welfare state research.

On Sunday evening, the research group set off on the night train towards Stockholm. After the first Swedish "fika" coffee break, the group continued to Gävle, where they checked into their accommodation and prepared for the days ahead. In the evening, a first meeting with the Swedish students of Dr. Stefan Sjöberg took place. A walk through the city together rounded off the arrival day and gave the group their first impressions of the Swedish port city.

On the first day, the participants visited the socially disadvantaged district of Andersberg, which exemplifies issues of community work under Swedish conditions. Here, the students were able to gather initial observations on socio-spatial challenges and local support structures. This was followed by a joint seminar at the university, where the German students presented their prepared presentations and discussed theoretical approaches and empirical developments in international comparative welfare state research.

Wednesday began with a visit to two Swedish folk high schools, which differ significantly from German institutions in terms of their structure and working methods. It became clear how education in Sweden is understood as an instrument of social participation and is used specifically to integrate marginalized groups. After the informative morning, the group went on an afternoon hike by the sea in the more rural area around Gävle.

The next day, the participants met again at the university to discuss theoretical perspectives and empirical findings with Dr. Sjöberg and other professors from the University of Gävle. The evening ended with a joint farewell evening in a relaxed atmosphere.

On Friday morning, the final reflection took place, in which the students summarized their impressions, observations and learning outcomes. After this final session, the group set off on their return journey. Saturday offered a short stopover in Stockholm before the return journey to Germany.

The consistently positive feedback from both sides gives reason to expect further cooperation, be it a return visit to Germany, joint Master's theses or future research projects in international comparison.