Hi, I’m Rugi, a UI Artist working on several super cool projects here at Resolution Games. This is the story of how I kickstarted my game industry career after college by moving to Stockholm!

Why did you choose to pursue a job in a different country?

I pursued a job outside of Ireland because I wanted to experience the culture, customs and people of a different country. I also wanted to seek a challenge not only in my professional life but in my personal development as well. I had heard great things about the games industry in Europe, particularly Sweden, and the influx of talented people there working together to create fun and engaging games.

Having studied my dream university course, game art and design, back in the small Irish town I grew up in, I always had the urge to get out and travel more outside of Ireland. This was because while most people I knew were moving to other big cities like Dublin, Cork or Limerick to study for university, I decided to stay in my small town a bit longer. However, I knew this was a small price to pay considering this particular course was special - it was the only game art and design course in all of Ireland that I was interested in. It combined a number of art and design skills for games with a bit of programming - all of the necessary skills to open up a world of opportunities either as an indie developer or specialist in a field of your choice. I’m not a particularly patient person, and there were many tough and stressful moments at the start of my journey - little seeds of doubt that would try to sow themselves in my path. “Is this worth waiting for? Have I made the right decision to stay? Will my hard work and dedication be noticed in an industry where it’s difficult to set foot into?” These are some of the questions that would begin to creep in during moments of uncertainty. Despite this, I held hope and passion that this is the career I wanted to pursue and ultimately nurture in a different country and that the skills and knowledge I learned would lead me to amazing opportunities. And since I’m writing this you know that it paid off! As the saying goes, “all good things come to those who wait.”

Another reason I pursued a job in a different country, especially in a city with a large international hub like Stockholm, was for the opportunity for growth and learning. Having a mix of talented, creative people from various different backgrounds and opinions means experiencing different ideas and viewpoints which will positively impact your work. It is during these moments of mentorship that have led me to improve my work and open my eyes to new possibilities.

Where did you move from and what was your move like?

I was born in Lithuania, but lived in Ireland for most of my life. Despite living there for almost all of my childhood, I always identified more with my Baltic roots. So when I finally arrived in Sweden, I felt a surprising hint of familiarity.

The experience of moving was life-changing for me. Resolution Games was the positive start to my game design career that I know I will forever remember fondly in my heart. The move from Ireland to Stockholm was full of emotion - one of sad tears as I would have to say goodbye to my family and dog, but mostly happy smiles because I was so excited to kickstart an inspiring career as a user interface artist! I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm as I arranged my trip and packed my suitcases. I knew I would bond well and form lifelong friendships with the people I would work with. Some of them even took their time to send me congratulations on social media after I was offered the position. These small yet kind gestures helped make my move less daunting and made me feel like I belong.

Did anything surprise you about living in Stockholm?

There were a number of small little surprises I have experienced. Prior to moving here, I had never been to Sweden nor had I known much about the country except for a few small things here and there. I think the most surprising thing I felt though, was the small moments of familiarity sprinkled throughout, which I wasn’t expecting at all. Seeing as both Sweden and my birth country, Lithuania, border the Baltic sea and are close to each other, there are some things that overlap.

In terms of the cuisine, meatballs with potatoes are popular dishes in both countries, the only difference being the choice of sauce and salad to go along with it. In general, both countries favor potatoes in many dishes. The choice of certain herbs and spices are also common to both, mainly through the use of dill. This was a pleasant surprise for me, and made me feel more at home!

Another surprising hint of familiarity I found was the housing situation as well as the weather. Much like in Lithuania, many people in Sweden live in apartments in the city. What surprised me about this though, was how small some of the apartments can be. The seasonal weather in Sweden, much like in Lithuania, has a clear change of seasons. Unlike in Ireland, when it sometimes doesn’t feel like winter or summer due to the abundance of rain. Having the experience of frosty Swedish days with snow during winter, and hot warm sunny days during summer has also brought feelings of familiar nostalgia.

Finally, another surprising thing I found about living in Stockholm is how friendly the people are. People are not as reserved as what travel blogs or Reddit forums claim them to be. Perhaps this does not apply in more rural areas, but I have experienced nothing but friendliness from the people in Stockholm.

What were the biggest differences between Ireland and Stockholm?

I think the biggest difference between Ireland and Sweden is the weather and change in season as well as the work-life balance.

I was lucky to come in January and finally experience a little of the winter snow, something I had not seen much of in Ireland. It was truly a sight to behold when the first few snowflakes started drifting down when I landed at the Stockholm airport. And the snowflakes didn’t just fall, they actually stayed frozen on the ground, slowly growing to form a white blanket on everything it touched. I was both thrilled and in awe and felt so much happiness in that one moment. Ireland is a beautiful country, with many green fields and mountains, yet it is few and far between to witness long lasting snow, so we cherish these moments more. Couple this with the dark Swedish night lit up by the beautiful lights dotted around the city and apartment balconies, and I could feel a warmth inside - a moment of Swedish hygge, if you will.

During summer, Stockholm has completely different weather - the city is bustling and comes alive with all of the people energized more than ever by the sun which shines bright and can last from the early morning to the late evening. Previous to my move, I had heard of long Swedish summer days, but getting to experience it firsthand has been an eye-opening experience - quite literally, as the first few nights while adjusting were a challenge to fall asleep! This weather compared to the sometimes cloudy and rainy weather in Ireland has definitely been a bit of a surprise for me.

Another key difference between Ireland and Sweden is the work-life balance. This is evident even in small moments like fika, a unique social custom of sharing a bun followed with a tea or coffee while chatting with a friend/colleague about anything (other than work!). Although the Irish, much like the British, enjoy a cup of tea, the Swedes have perfected the tea break with their many choices of desert to go along with it. I think this small Swedish custom shows just how much the people value the little things in life.

How did Resolution Games help make your transition smooth?

From the very beginning, I felt secure by the professionalism and organization during the hiring process that Resolution Games would help make my transition into the company straightforward.

Once hired, the wonderful folks in HR email you about your temporary accommodation and give you a document called ‘Guide to Moving to Stockholm’ which contains all the necessary steps and tips curated from numerous people who also had undergone the same transition. Seriously, it is like the holy grail of all that must be done to integrate into Sweden; things like how the process of citizenship works, where to look for apartments, how the rental process works, etc. It also includes pointers to links leading to important websites and resources. Of course, if you have any questions, everyone at Resolution Games is happy to help make things clearer, including on the expat channel on Slack, where people can post questions they would like help with.

Most important of all, onboarding is not only done by your line manager, but also by your ‘buddy,’ a colleague who is there to help you with your transition and answer any questions you may have. An onboarding plan is assigned to you as well which includes check-ins to see how you are doing. Onboarding also includes the opportunity to reach out to the people that you will be working closely with - in my case, art directors, concept artists and UX designers. I was also given a tour of the office to get used to my surroundings and see the people I would be working with. All of these things culminated in a smooth transition, so much so, that others have even commented, “It feels like you have been working here for much longer!”

What advice do you have for others thinking about relocating for a job at Resolution Games?

If you follow the ‘Guide to Stockholm’, you will be set for living in Sweden, as it contains the most important steps for you to take to integrate as a citizen. Of course, everyone working here is always happy to help if you have any questions.

Consider joining the Thursday Swedish language lessons if you haven’t joined any lessons outside of the company. They make a great way to not only meet and talk to other people in the company, but also to learn the language. In general, try to join as many extracurricular groups as your time allows. This will be helpful to not only meet more people and network but also to create a network of support.

If you are relocating during the winter months, pack those fluffy socks. You can never have too many and they can be hard to find as they always seem to be out of stock in stores.

Visit as many of the museums and scenic tourist spots that Stockholm has to offer, especially during the summer months. Having a few days before your start date at the company is even better because you have a bit of time to take in your surroundings and get started with applying for your citizenship. The Royal Palace and Apartments, Gamla Stan and Djurgården are just a few of the many must-visit places, so make the most of it.

Most important of all - have fun and enjoy relocating to one of the most exciting and rewarding places to work at. Join us - https://jobs.resolutiongames.com/.

I Moved Across Europe to Work at Resolution Games