Interview with future zoo keepers from Sweden

Interviewer : HIECC Reserch Div. Senior Staff Takeo Moriuchi

In Sweden, after finishing compulsory school (Age 7~16), 98% students go on for the Upper Secondary school (Age 17~19) called “Gymnasieskola”. There, they can choose either college preparatory programs or vocational programs depending on their interests, and the proportion of the students is about 50/50. With the population size as Sweden (9.25 mil.), an efficient way to educate and produce skilled labor force through those vocational programs is crucial to assist strong economy. They play rather big role to build and sustain so called Folkhemmet- the people’s home. Mr. Pelle Nilsson and Ms. Jennifer Billgren, senior students at Himmelstalundsgymnasiet(upper secondary school in Norchopin) majoring zoo keeping in the vocational program, participated in the School Exchange Program initiated by Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center(HIECC) this May and finished internship training at Sapporo Maruyama Zoo. I interviewed with Pelle and Jennifer.

-When did you decide to study zoo keeping?

Pelle About fourteen or fifteen years old.

Jennifer About thirteen years old.

-Sounds very early to decide your life plan, especially compared with Japanese standards. Didn’t you have any worry?

Pelle Not really, cause it’s kind of a normal thing to do in Sweden. And, if you feel you want to change the course of your life plan, you can still go to the adult education program to learn new things to pursue new carrier and that’s also common in Sweden.

-So you think the education system in Sweden is functioning well in that sense?

Jennifer I think so especially in the sense that our education system offers many different choices after the compulsory education. Sometimes it’s easier for young people to be introduced to the varieties of vocational courses rather than vaguely pursuing the liberal arts course.

-What subjects students can choose other than zoo keeping in your school?

Pelle Gardening, Pet animal keeping, Dog training, to become an assistant of veterinarian. Those majors are probably rare in my country, and other schools offer subjects such as business, IT related subjects and engineering and so on.

-What’s your plan after graduating from the Secondary school?

Pelle I will be working for the local zoo as zookeeper for three months. I hope I will be able to continue working there after three months.

Jennifer I am planning to join the training program for zoo keeper in South Africa safari. I also want to continue working there even after the program finishes cause’ I love big animal.

-You guys really like animal, don’t you? Do you have any pet home?

Pelle Two dogs, two lizards and a snake. I love reptiles. And of course the moose, the wild bear and the wolves outside the house.

Jennifer I have thirteen tropical fish in the 150 liter aquarium. Very beautiful to watch. And of course two cats, one is called Mozart, and two rabbits. Very cute.

-Did you see any difference between the Swedish zoo and the Japanese one?

Pelle Distance between the spectators and the cages. Japanese people are lucky to be able to appreciate animals at such a short distance whereas safety distance must be taken much wider in Sweden.

-How was the internship training program at Maruyama zoo?

Jennifer It was very interesting experience because there were many opportunities to actually touch and communicate with animals. It is very important to touch and feel the animals for those want to become zoo keeper. I also learned the importance of cleaning cages. The most difficult task I experienced there was to clean cages at children’s zoo where pony and smaller animals were kept.  The zoo keepers at Maruyama Zoo were open-minded and cool. They were really good role models. I want to become like them.

-I heard you’ve been to Asahiyama Zoo as well. Any impressions in particular?

Pelle They exhibits animals in very unique ways. More dynamic, I would say. And Maruyama zoo was in a baby-rush which means animals there were feeling less stress enough to reproduce. Maruyama zoo is good environment both for animals and human spectators.

-What would you say the very first thing you want to do after going back to Sweden?

Pelle I want to see my girlfriend.

Jennifer I want to give a big hug to my cats.