Scholarship holder in New York: ’I am a world citizen’
Gabriella Andersson, recipient of Uppsala University’s scholarship in New York, has an international background. She is now moving across the Atlantic for not the first but the third time. ‘I consider myself a world citizen’, she says.
During her years in secondary education, Gabriella Andersson lived in New York with her family, earning an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Later, she chose to study Economics at the University of Gothenburg School of Business, Economics and Law for three years, including exchange stints abroad in Montreal, Canada. She enrolled at Uppsala University to study the Master’s programme ‘Management in a Global Society’.
Now, she is set to return to New York on a scholarship funded by Uppsala University, which includes a year-long position at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in New York.
What was your reason for applying for the scholarship?
‘It’s great to help put Sweden on the map and get to work on the global stage, not least when it comes to partnerships and collaborations with private enterprise. I also love the pulse of New York, I know how the city works. The people there are very open in a way that I sometimes miss, it’s important to make new connections,’ Gabriella Andersson says.
Helping Swedish companies
She is looking forward to starting work in January at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, where she will be helping Swedish companies already established in the city, but also those who are looking to gain a foothold in New York.
‘It’s about furthering Swedish export trade. Being present, seeing how things work in practice and what rules there are is valuable.’
Gabriella Andersson will also be working quarter-time on behalf of the Uppsala University Alumni Office in New York.
‘I’ll be spreading information about Uppsala University’s alumni network in order to bring in more members, but also to involve current members through various events. It’ll be fun! I’m a people person, and now I’ll be an ambassador of Uppsala University.’
Writing her Master’s thesis
At the end of the academic year in January 2017, Gabriella Andersson will return to Uppsala University to write her concluding Master’s thesis.
‘With the experiences I’ll have from New York, it could turn out to be an interesting thesis’, she says.
Gabriella Andersson is set to receive the scholarship at the Lucia Trade Award Gala Dinner on 3 December at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in New York. The Lucia Trade Award is given to a person who has significantly contributed to fostering free trade between Sweden and the US. As part of the award ceremony, Uppsala University’s scholarship will also be recognised.
How to contact the Alumni Office
Are you a resident of New York or just visiting? Do you have a degree from Uppsala University? You are welcome to contact the current scholarship holder through the Uppsala University US Alumni Chapter.
E-mail: usalumni@uadm.uu.se
Annica Hulth