Dr. Devčić: With Incor, I Found Job in Sweden

Dr. Sandra Devčić graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek, completed her internship at Rebro, ran her own family medicine practice, and worked as an external associate for the Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine. However, she did not feel fully fulfilled either personally or professionally, so she recently made an important life decision: it was time to seek change outside of Croatia.

She decided to build a better future in a country many call the land of opportunity—Sweden. Below, we share her story, from how she made the decision to how she ultimately found a job.

If you, too, are a healthcare professional considering working in another country, we are confident that these first-hand impressions will be helpful. For more information about working abroad, contact our team.

The Decision to Move: A Search for a Better Future

“I have always been curious and enjoyed exploring and trying new things, so the idea of working abroad first came to me during my studies,” says Dr. Devčić. However, like many of her colleagues, she made the final decision only after working in the Croatian healthcare system.

“I realized that my expectations and desires did not align with what the system could offer me, first in terms of specialization, and later in terms of work after completing specialization.”

This realization prompted her to seriously consider living and working abroad. She researched countries that could offer better conditions, and ultimately chose Sweden.

Sweden as the Ideal Country for a Fresh Start

“I’ve always identified with certain characteristics of Scandinavians. In the end, Sweden attracted me the most.” She saw Sweden as a developed and well-organized country with high-quality medicine and science.

She also appreciated the countless opportunities for individuals who show effort, persistence, and dedication, as well as a healthy work-life balance, friendly people, and beautiful nature.

“Sweden values discipline, respect, understanding, empathy, cooperation, and dedication. These are qualities I want to be surrounded by in both my private and professional life.”

Although she initially tried to go through the process independently, she soon realized she would need professional help. After speaking with other doctors who had moved from Croatia to Sweden, she learned that many of them used Incor’s services and learned the language at Zrinka’s Swedish school. She decided to place her trust in them as well.

The Swedish Language: The First Major Hurdle

Finding a job in Sweden without knowing the language is difficult. That’s why one of her first steps was learning Swedish. She enrolled in Zrinka’s Swedish school, which she had already heard a lot about.

Although she had minimal prior exposure to the language, mostly through crime series she watched, she found the learning process extremely fulfilling.

“Learning Swedish from A1 to C1 level was one of the most beautiful and interesting experiences. It was dynamic and engaging.”

The courses combined general language, medical terminology, and information about Swedish society and culture, which proved especially helpful. It deepened her love for the country and prepared her well for conversations with employers.

“I could discuss various topics with employers, which showed them how motivated and enthusiastic I was about continuing my career in Sweden.”

She also credits much of her success to her teacher. “Zrinka is an excellent teacher who conveys knowledge in a simple and engaging way. You can immediately see how passionate she is about her work and how much she cares about her students achieving maximum knowledge.”

Within just a few months, she became a confident speaker, and proved to herself that she could work effectively in the country.

Finding a Job in Sweden Turned Out to be Surprisingly Simple

After reaching a C1/C2 language level, Dr. Devčić hired Incor to assist with employment in Sweden. They helped her obtain a Swedish medical license and personal identification number, prepare her CV, cover letter, and references, and apply for job openings.

“Incor applied me to positions that matched my wishes and competencies. From the start, we eliminated anything that didn’t interest me.”

She ultimately had six job interviews. She recalls being very nervous before the first one. “I didn’t know what to expect or whether native Swedes would be satisfied with my language skills and overall profile.”

However, the first interview exceeded all expectations. “It was extremely informal and friendly. I felt like I was having coffee with friends.” She was particularly impressed by how much employers appreciated her effort to learn the language and culture. “They truly value courage, determination, discipline, and effort in foreign doctors.”

She was also surprised that employers openly showed they hoped she would choose them.

“I was used to us having to impress the employer but, in Sweden, the employer also tries to impress you. That felt surreal.”

Choosing the Right Position

Her confidence grew with each interview. “Every employer emphasized how satisfied they were with my language skills and were pleasantly surprised by my knowledge of Sweden.”

This resulted in multiple job offers, so she had to choose the best one. “I had clear criteria for my final decision.” She considered communication with employers and colleagues, organizational quality, transport connections, and opportunities for growth and development.

“I was looking for strong professional guidance; leaders and mentors who would help me grow clinically and scientifically.”

She also considered her partner’s career opportunities, as he is moving with her. “Since I’m relocating together with my boyfriend Marko, we made a joint decision about a region where he, as a programmer also has many opportunities for employment and advancement.”

She says that Incor’s advice during the final decision was invaluable. “I received useful information regarding both my professional and personal life.”

In the end, she chose a position in the Jönköping region, which met all her criteria. Key factors included organization, quality of healthcare, leadership, growth opportunities, and a three-month introductory program for foreign doctors. During this program, doctors are introduced to aspects of the system they haven’t encountered before, and are paid as if they were already working.

She was also pleasantly surprised by how supportive local doctors were and how proud they were to contribute to the development of new colleagues.

Preparing for the Move and Looking Forward to the Future

At the time of writing, Dr. Devčić is preparing to move to Sweden. She feels a sense of positive nervousness, which she sees as a good sign.

“I’m most excited about the entire system of training and specialization, as well as work organization. I believe I could never have had similar conditions, leadership, knowledge, and experience in Croatia.”

She also looks forward to the positive work atmosphere, empathy among colleagues, and friendly communication.
One of the biggest advantages, she says, is the opportunity for continuous professional development, since even specialists have many options for further advancement.

“It’s no coincidence that Sweden is called a land of endless opportunities for anyone with the will and desire, regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, or age.”

She is also excited about her personal life:

“I look forward to hiking and spending time in Sweden’s endless forests, hills, and lakes. I love the Swedish approach to private life, the variety of hobbies, and the passion people have for what they do.”

“I Would Recommend These Services to Everyone”

To colleagues considering a similar path, she says: “I know the first step is difficult, but it’s absolutely worth it. I also know how hard it is to step out of your comfort zone, but the rewards are immense.”

She emphasizes that Incor can significantly ease both the decision and the process:

“They provide a wealth of information about living and working not only in Scandinavia but in many other countries. They made the process simple, fast, and clear. Doing it alone would have been much harder and more time-consuming.”

Do you also want help with relocation? Contact us so we can create a plan together.