Sofia Widen

Sofia Widen’s education has taken her around the world. Originally from Sweden, Widen has traveled to France, Canada, Scotland, the United Kingdom and now the United States through her scholarships and studies. While her family remains in Sweden, Widen is a junior at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland where she will return when she completes her exchange program at University of Richmond.

Widen applied to Edinburgh knowing she wanted to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities offered by the school. Wanting to study in the U.S., Widen’s professors at Edinburgh recommended Richmond to continue her economics and political studies.

“The excellent reputation of the Robins School of Business was a large factor in my decision to attend Richmond. I like everything about it—the small classes, relationships with my professors, collaborative spirit in the classrooms. At Edinburgh I am in classes of 200 students. At Richmond I have several friends in each class who I can ask about a problem set or notes. It has changed the whole experience of studying for me,” Widen said.

While at Richmond, Widen received an invitation to attend the United Nation’s Doha Climate Change Conference in November of last year. “My academic advisor, Dr. Tom Cossé, encouraged me to attend, and it is an experience I would never trade,” she said. “While there I was able to observe negotiations on international climate change issues, attend meetings with the Swedish national negotiators and participate in some of the debates.” 

Along with these new experiences, Widen has learned much both inside and outside the halls of the Robins School of Business. “I did not know anyone else upon coming to Richmond, but I immediately realized that Americans are very friendly. I have been able to make friends at school and have traveled to Florida and New Jersey with them as they go home for holidays,” she said. “I have enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone to experience these new things. Since coming to Richmond, I have built my confidence by challenging myself to learn new things, meet new people and adopt different ways of thinking.”

Wanting to extend her experience in the U.S., Widen applied and was offered a summer internship with Delegate Kaye Kory’s office and is hoping to stay, so she can see her political and economic theory courses in practice. “I would eventually like to work in the Swedish Foreign Service and continue my learning from the United Nations conference and international politics interest,” she said. She is currently interning with a democrat delegate at the ongoing legislative session at the State Capitol.

Widen will return to Sweden this year and knows she will bring with her great advantages having studied abroad at Richmond. “I can’t say I am looking forward to leaving Richmond, but I am excited to continue building on the knowledge I gained while studying here and applying that to my life back in Edinburgh,” she said. “I will definitely be returning to the U.S. in the future.”