From Dream to Reality: Journalism in Sweden
With roots in London and a childhood in Italy, Alex Maxia has always had a passion for journalism. After studying sociology and cultural anthropology in the UK and Sweden, he found his place at JMG. Now, he combines his studies with work as a freelance journalist, aiming for a future in Swedish journalism.
Background
Alex was born in London but grew up in Italy. From the age of ten, he dreamed of becoming a journalist, driven by his strong interest in society.
Before coming to JMG, Alex completed a bachelor's degree in history and sociology in Manchester in 2015, a common path for those aspiring to become journalists in the UK.
He then moved to Uppsala in 2016 to pursue a master's degree in cultural anthropology. During his studies in Uppsala, he particularly appreciated the dialogue between teachers and students, which was very different from his previous experiences. The Swedish flexibility, working conditions, and open learning environment attracted Alex to stay in Sweden.
Studies at JMG
Alex quickly realized the value of the journalistic tools he would gain from the international master's program (MIJ) at JMG. After searching for a one-year journalism program in English in Sweden, he finally landed at JMG.
The project-based education provided the opportunity to interact with students from different countries, which not only enriched his knowledge of journalism but also created a deeper understanding of various cultures and working methods.
"Everyone has different experiences, which is very inspiring, and the teachers are fantastic. They gave me tips and advice throughout the program," says Alex.
The investigative journalism training gave him skills in research. One of the highlights was a project where he worked for two months to deliver a major report on the EU and deforestation in Africa.
At the end of the program, Alex wanted to develop his practical skills and prove to himself and future employers that he could work in Swedish.
Continued Studies at JMG
Therefore, he chose to continue studying at JMG. In the autumn semester of 2024, he took the independent course Digital Publishing at JMG, which he believes provides a deeper understanding of digital aspects useful in journalism.
"Here I get to learn to work in Swedish and more practically with images, video, audio, and writing. There is some of that in MIJ, but here it's a whole semester focused on it."
Future and Interests
In addition to his full-time studies, Alex works as a freelance journalist. He has two major assignments, one as the Nordic correspondent for ANSA, an Italian news agency, and the other as a freelance journalist for the British The Times. He has also written and made radio for the BBC on various topics related to Scandinavia.
Alex is also one of the co-founders of the Gothenburg Media Hub, a meeting place for media professionals to exchange ideas and experiences.
Alex loves his current work and has a great interest in leading projects and investigative journalism. In the future, he hopes to move from freelancing to working in a newsroom, preferably a Swedish one.
Alex's Tips for Future Students
"For students interested in studying in Gothenburg and at JMG, it is important to engage in the multicultural environment and take advantage of the open and flexible study culture."
He believes that his experiences of studying and working in different countries have given him an understanding of international journalism and the importance of cultural awareness in today's global media landscape.
Text: Elin Andersson & Annie Rolén