Study abroad in Sweden
Sweden has enjoyed its reputation as a cold, cutting-edge country with a
hankering for herring. Ikea always comes to mind as well as Sweden’s most
successful company (others include Saab and H&M). And of course we can’t
forget Abba – leading the pack of Swedish cultural icons.
This Nordic country is blessed with a smorgasbord of natural entities – from
a hugely diverse existence of wildlife to thousands of lakes, and a massive
forest cover. Mountains are located near the Norwegian border and are a
skier’s dream in the winter and fisherman’s in the summer.
Sweden is recognized around the world as upholding superb education
standards, and four Swedish universities are ranked within the World
University Ranking 2006 Top 200 Universities. The most respected academic
award, the Nobel Prize, was born in Sweden. Higher education institutions in
this country are subsidized by the government, and if you choose to study
abroad in you can enjoy free tuition. The Swedish education realm prides
itself on making multiculturalism a priority,
and accordingly, international study abroad is welcomed an encouraged.
.
Many undergraduate programs require a good proficiency in the Swedish
language, so study abroad in Sweden may be problematic should you not
possess this. Jönköping International Business School , Malmö University
College, Mälardalen University College, Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, and IT University of Göteborg all offer undergraduate programs in
English.
International study abroad programs generally have a very informal approach
to teaching, in that students and teachers are as close to being on an equal
playing field as possible. It is not unusual for students and teachers to
socialize outside classroom hours. With this in mind, students are also
expected to undertake a lot of initiative independently and to shape their
coursework and research, demanding motivation to study alone.
|
|
|
 Free
tuition
Internationally
recognized schools
Multiculturalism
encouraged |
 Lack
of English-taught undergraduate programmes
Difficult
to find accommodation in big cities |
International student accommodation
The availability of accommodation in Sweden varies by location; larger
cities like Stockholm and Göteborg often lacking vacancies. The Swedish
Student Accommodation Association to assist students seeking
housing.University housing are typically less expensive than private
housing, and are usually located close to universities. Those wishing to
cultivate an active social life usually opt for university housing. Approach
your student union as soon as you decide to study in Sweden, as they may
need time to find the right accommodation for your needs, and don’t forget
to get all the assistance possible from the international student department
of your chosen university.
A
typical Nordic climate reigns in Sweden with cold, snowy winters and warm
summers. The midnight sun can be seen in locations north of the Arctic
Circle during summer months, and winter days tend to be short and dark.
Sweden is known for its civilized and socialized society, and its public
transportation system is no exception. Buses, trains, trams, and ferries are
clean, reliable, and available to students at a discount. Many students
can’t imagine life without their bicycles in Sweden; however, this greener
option may be reserved for the bravest winter devotees during the cold
months.
Cost*
| |
Item |
Price |
| |
movie ticket |
Sk80.00 |
| |
can of soft
drink |
Sk18.00 |
| |
cup of
coffee |
Sk25.00 |
| |
half-litre
bottle of beer from pub |
Sk52.00 |
| |
locker
storage |
Sk60.00 |
| |
120-unit
telephone |
Sk100.00 |
|
