The Student Union's new president is aiming for the stars – and working on issues close to her heart along the way

The fact is that Simon Oodolese will graduate from the Human Resources and Working Life Programme this spring. So whether he intends to run for re-election for another year or move back to Stockholm is something of a cliffhanger.

But we'll come back to that.

It is more interesting to tell you about Simon Oodolese's first meeting with Östersund, which in many ways was not very positive. On the one hand, it was something of a shock to come from a crowded and constantly active Södermalm in Stockholm to a deserted and fairly quiet cottage area at Östersund's Camping. On the other hand, he was involved in a racist incident the first time he was out in the new student city's nightlife.

"When I and a few others entered a restaurant, we were unexpectedly greeted by an entrance attendant who sang a karaoke song containing the 'n-word'. It immediately made me uncomfortable and I took it to the staff," says Simon.

However, the reaction from the staff was not what he expected. He was kicked out.

"I was considered to be difficult. I had never experienced such treatment before, and the incident left me deeply disturbed.

He turned to the student union, which took care of the matter quickly, neatly and efficiently. They immediately backed Simon up and ended the collaboration with the restaurant. They had to apologize and the entrance attendant who had thrown Simon out had to quit.

"Wow, they handled it so well. I felt already at the kick-off that I wanted to join the student union, but after this I really wanted to join. And not just as a member, I wanted to get directly involved in the board.

Said and done, Simon was the only first-semester student to run for the board and got in. Since then, he has mainly worked as a national student policy coordinator.

Deeply grateful for the extra parents 

22-year-old Simon Oodolese moved to Sweden and Stockholm nine years ago. His parents are originally from Nigeria but he was born and raised in northern Italy. Shortly after the family moved to Sweden, his mother, father and brother chose to move to England.

Simon had a tough upbringing marked by difficult family circumstances, but a new door opened for him when he got the opportunity to become part of an extra family.

"My extra parents have played a crucial role in my life. They were the driving force behind my decision to move here to study. They saw that I would benefit from a change of scenery and a new context. I feel a deep gratitude towards them and they inspire me to strive to do the best I can.

Wants to be a role model for other students

And now the image of Östersund has also changed. From having thought that here was lonely and boring, the days are now filled with studies and social contexts. The job within the union is getting more fun every day that goes by and the role of president feels right. In fact, he has been told that he already during the kick-off three years ago told the then chairman Emanuel Magnusson that he intended to take his role when he was done with it.

"I probably wasn't completely sober haha, but I thought Emanuel came across as a person with great influence ability, something that I also strive to have. I saw a chance not only to make an impact but also to become a role model for other students.  

It's that thing about being able to influence that drives Simon. He wants to pursue issues of inclusion and equal opportunities and work to ensure that no student is subjected to the same treatment as he did that night at the restaurant. Issues related to education and being able to reach out to more students are also important to him.

If he stays that long. Because that was the thing about graduation in a few months.

"Oh, I really haven't decided what I'm going to do. If I should move back to Stockholm or stand for re-election for another year. I love this but I also love Stockholm.

"But I'll make up my mind soon, because in any case, I want to be able to make a good handover to a new chairman if that were to happen."

The coming year is thus something of a blank slate for Simon Oodolese. In the longer term, however, he is absolutely sure of what he wants to do – the goal is to become HR Director at government or EU level. To be able to work with the core issues of equal opportunities and inclusion from the absolute top.