Johanna Pretzl

Can you briefly tell us about yourself and your background?

– I have a university degree in pedagogy and social work from Germany and have mainly worked with children and young people in various settings. I moved to Sweden five years ago.

Why did you choose to study the conversion program at Stockholm University?

– I realized that a Swedish social work degree would give me better opportunities in the job market. It was difficult to find a job in social work that matched my experience and education.

How has the program helped you adapt your previous knowledge to the Swedish market?

– It has made the professional role clearer to me and helped me understand the different jobs available in social work in Sweden. I’ve also gained a better understanding of how the welfare state is structured and learned a lot about legal matters.

What new insights and skills have you gained during the program?

– I had certain expectations of the Swedish welfare system before I started, but realized that not everything matched up. My understanding is more nuanced now. I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of how the Swedish system works. A big plus is that my language skills have improved significantly – I feel much more confident both speaking and writing in Swedish.

What are your thoughts on your job prospects after completing the program?

– I hope the program will make it easier for me to find a job that suits me and where I can continue to grow. With a Swedish social work degree, I think my chances will be much better – but we’ll have to see how it goes.

Can you describe a particularly rewarding or challenging part of the program?

– It’s been a challenge that our schedule is a bit more flexible compared to regular social work students. At the same time, we’ve received good support from the course coordinators, and it’s been fun meeting many different student groups. The language has also been an extra challenge – reading and writing academic texts in Swedish takes longer for those of us who don’t have it as our native language.

What advice would you give to someone with a foreign degree in social work who is considering applying for the program?

– Get in touch with a study advisor if you have questions! I wasn’t sure if I met all the criteria and almost didn’t apply. It’s also good to accept all the help available, both from course coordinators and other students – I got many tips and practical support just by talking to social work students.

Have you had field placement during the program?

– My field placement has just started, so I can’t say much about it yet. But I’m looking forward to getting insight into the “real world” of public authority work – that was the part of the program I looked forward to the most.

How would you describe the program in three words?

– Educational, challenging and enriching.

Read more about the Conversion programme for persons with a foreign degree in Social Work.