You Got the SI Scholarship! So… What Happens Now?

Big news today! 🎉 The Swedish Institute has just announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious scholarships: the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and the SI Scholarship for Pioneering Women in STEM. That means 402 students from around the world will soon be packing their bags and heading to Sweden—with everything covered!

First of all, congratulations! I know how intense this process is—trust me, I’ve been there. All the paperwork, the waiting, the self-doubt, the what-ifs… It’s a rollercoaster. But you made it. And now you might be thinking: Okay… what now?

Let me guide you through 3 important things you should do next!

Celebrate!🎉

I still remember the moment I saw my name on the scholarship recipient list—I couldn’t believe it. I literally had to ask my mom to double-check for me because my brain just refused to process it. I was thrilled, emotional, and honestly… a bit in shock. But instead of soaking in the joy, I rushed straight into panic mode. “What documents do I need? How do I find housing? When should I book flights?” Sound familiar?

So here’s my first (and most heartfelt) piece of advice: take a breath. For real. Put the to-do lists aside for a moment. You’ve worked so hard to get here—this moment is yours. Don’t skip over it.

Go treat yourself to that meal you’ve been dreaming of. Book that spa day. Dance around your room. Cry happy tears. Whatever celebration looks like for you—do it. This was no stroke of luck—it was your dedication, your effort, your story. So give yourself the hug you deserve. 💛

Accept the Offer 📨

Once you’ve had your well-deserved celebration and some “me time,” it’s time for the next step: officially accepting your scholarship offer!

Between April 25 and 27, you’ll receive an email from the Swedish Institute with your scholarship offer. Read it carefully, follow the instructions step by step, and don’t stress if you don’t see it right away—you’ll have at least a week to respond. In my case, I had until May 2 to sign and send it back, so there’s no need to check your inbox every five minutes (though we all do it anyway 😅).

Once you send the signed offer back, the SI team will take some time to process it. You’ll later receive a confirmation email saying they’ve received your documents. Don’t panic if it takes a bit—it took a whole week for me, and I got my confirmation around May 8. That waiting game can feel long, but just keep an eye on your inbox and your timeline, and you’ll be fine. 💻✨

Connect with Your SI Network Buddy 🤝

Once you’ve accepted the offer, you’ll officially become part of the SI Network for Global Professionals (NFGP)—a vibrant community of current and former scholarship holders from all over the world.

One of the best parts? Around the second week of May, the Swedish Institute will assign you a buddy—someone who’s already gone through the entire process and is currently studying in Sweden. You’ll get an email with their name and contact details, and I highly recommend reaching out.
Seriously, don’t be shy! This is the perfect time to ask all your questions—big or small. From packing tips to finding housing to the emotional rollercoaster of moving abroad, your buddy has been there and gets it.

And who knows… maybe I’ll be your buddy this year! 🧡 I’ll be helping out, too, and I can’t wait to meet some of you soon. So don’t hesitate to say hi!