The pace of life makes it possible to combine career and family

Already at the age of 15, Arsim Zekaj was politically engaged. At the age of 9, he moved to Sweden from Kosovo, and when he thinks back to the time after the move, he recalls a childhood at the very bottom of society.

- It was probably there that the desire to improve society and be part of making a difference was born. In the Social Democrats and the labor movement, I met others who shared my values, my view of people, and my worldview. That's where I felt ideologically at home.

After the Social Democratic Youth League (SSU), Arsim continued as an active member of the party before taking a ten-year break for a career in the Swedish public sector. First at the Swedish Migration Agency and later in the municipal sector.

A successful decision

Seven years ago, Arsim Zekaj chose to move to Åland together with his wife Beshi and the couple's first child. The idea was to find a calmer everyday life without having to sacrifice a rewarding professional life. The right opportunity came in the form of a position as municipal director in Åland's westernmost municipality, Eckerö.

Since then, the family has grown by two more children, and Arsim has advanced in his career. First as director general at the housing and care center Oasen, and now as a minister in the Åland regional government.

In between, he has also managed to take paternity leave while Beshi launched her career as an entrepreneur. Combining work with family life has, in other words, worked well for the Zekaj family in Åland. In a larger society, Arsim believes the balance between work and young children would have been harder to achieve.

- The pace of life makes it possible for us to combine two intense careers with family life, he says. Everything is close by, which gives us more time with the children.

He also highlights the reassurance of a functioning childcare system and small group sizes as advantages of Åland.
- We have always felt at ease leaving our children at preschool, and have always received a fantastic welcome.

Close to everything

The closeness in Åland is about more than physical distances – it also applies to encounters with decision-makers. As a minister and politician, it is something Arsim notices and appreciates.

- It's easy to make contact and discuss issues that affect society. You quickly find out what people think, and I think that's great.

Arsim finds that the people of Åland are engaged in social issues and proud of their self-governance. There is a local democracy in society and many decision-making bodies where residents can make their voices heard.

- It's both good and bad – it can be a disadvantage when everyone wants to be involved when, for example, you want to build new daycare centers. At the same time, there is a charm in the fact that people value the democratic process so highly. Sometimes the processes take time, but at least they are well thought through.

Finding your way into society

When it comes to public administration and laws, most things are otherwise similar between Åland and Sweden. The values are the same, with a focus on the citizen perspective.

- What sets it apart is that you need to be a jack-of-all-trades in Åland and be able to adapt to many different tasks, says Arsim. At the same time, it becomes harder to dig deeper and specialize.

In general, Åland is a welcoming society with a strong associational and cultural life. 
- For those moving within the Nordic countries, it is straightforward to navigate society. Apart from the language, you already have an understanding of the culture and social codes. As a Swede, you quickly become part of the community.

To some extent, it also comes down to personality. You need to be proactive and seek out your new social context.

- I followed my ideology and reached out to the Social Democrats myself. That's the charm of the labor movement in the Nordic countries – wherever you are, you feel at home. I've also been active and taken part in the debate.

Take the leap!

To everyone considering moving to Åland, Arsim has a clear message:

- You have every opportunity here! If you come from Sweden or the Nordic countries, you will feel right at home – the same structures and cultural similarities exist here. If you are active in a political party, you will find corresponding sister parties in Åland as well. If you are active in associations, you will also find like-minded people, whether you play football or do theater.

Arsim believes that all it takes is a small step on your part.

- Google a bit about Åland, and you'll quickly find most of what you need to know. It's easy to become part of the community here!