Not all roads lead to Rome – some lead to Torsby

Most people dream of moving to Rome

Carolina Mosoni and Simone Donsante did the opposite – they left the Eternal City to start anew in Torsby. In February 2025, they moved from Italy to northern Värmland. An unusual choice, perhaps, but for them, it felt completely natural.

– We wanted a simpler life, closer to nature, says Carolina.

From the city to a small town

Carolina and Simone, both from Italy, met at university in Rome while studying to become doctors. They quickly realized they shared a strong passion for northern Europe, especially Sweden. After several trips, including to Stockholm and Skåne, a seed began to grow. The idea of starting a new life in a new country. That was back in 2021, but they had to wait patiently until Carolina completed her medical specialization.

– We started actively looking in 2023 and eventually found a recruitment company that could help us. You could choose between a few different countries in Europe, and we chose Sweden, says Carolina. We wanted to be closer to nature and work at a smaller hospital. We were tired of city life. Rome is fantastic, but everyday life there is complicated. Everything takes time, says Carolina.

They decided to take the leap.

Language – key to integration

To get a position in Sweden, language skills are required. Region Värmland provided the training in exchange for a commitment to work here for at least three years. If the contract is broken earlier, repayment is required. Carolina and Simone first studied Swedish in Italy and then went to Spain for a 10-week intensive course.

– We were a group of about ten doctors from different countries who studied Swedish together. Everyone had been offered positions in different places around Sweden, says Simone.

Carolina already speaks fluent Swedish, and Simone is well on his way. At Torsby Hospital, they receive plenty of support with both the language and workplace routines.

– We’ve received a lot of help from the staff. They give us plenty of time to learn, and we don’t feel pressured to know everything right away, says Carolina. If you need help, there’s always support, and if problems arise, solutions are found. In Italy, there’s much more bureaucracy. Patients have to give consent and sign for absolutely everything, and doctors have to document everything themselves. Here, we can dictate, and an administrator writes it down - it’s efficient and gives us more time with the patients.

A new home in the heart of Värmland

Carolina and Simone are currently renting an apartment at Hotell Örnen, right in the center of Torsby, but they’re considering buying a house in the future.

– We’ve received a lot of help and support from Anders and Eva-Britt, who run Örnen, and we really enjoy living here. Of course, it would be nice to have our own house, but that will have to wait. First, we need to decide whether we want to live in town or out in the countryside, says Simone.

So far, life has mostly revolved around work and language. But now, they’re starting to look forward to everything else.

– During the first few months, we were completely exhausted in the evenings. Now we want to discover more of life outside the hospital, says Carolina. Simone wants to start fishing, and I’m looking forward to winter and the snow. I used to do downhill skiing as a child, but I want to try cross-country skiing, so that’s what I’ll do this winter.

Everyday life in Sweden

Getting to know the local area and its people is something they’re both looking forward to. Through a colleague, they got in touch with a man from Italy who lives in Sunne, but otherwise, they don’t think there are many Italians in the area.

– We really want to get to know Swedish people and learn more about Sweden. Unfortunately, we missed Midsummer this year, but we’re looking forward to it next year. We’ve heard about Små grodorna, and of course, we want to try that, laughs Carolina. We’re also trying typical Swedish flavors. I really love all the cookies here – hallongrottor, yum! The jam is also delicious; it has more fruit and berries than the one in Italy.

– And the shrimp sandwiches! adds Simone. They’re delicious.

So far, they don’t miss much from their home country. They’ve already planned a trip to Italy in a few months, and a few friends have come to visit them in Sweden.

– We have video calls with our families and friends, says Carolina. If we miss something, we get it sent by mail. We’ve had olive oil and Grana Padano cheese sent – it’s so expensive here.

“In Sweden, Simone is a girl’s name”

The biggest culture shock so far? Simone’s name.

– I Italien är Simone ett vanligt killnamn. Här är det ett tjejnamn. Ibland tror patienter att de ska träffa en kvinnlig läkare och så kommer jag in. Men det har aldrig varit ett problem. Blir det för jobbigt får jag väl kalla mig Björn, säger han och skrattar.

– We signed a three-year contract, but it already feels like we want to stay much longer, says Carolina.

Not all roads lead to Rome. Sometimes they lead to Torsby – and for two doctors from Italy, it became the beginning of a new life.