8 ways to prepare for your studies in Sweden
Hello all! If you are interested in studying in Sweden this September, then these are the necessary steps to follow in other to prepare for your studies in Sweden. Now that the wait is over and you’ve got your official offer to study at a Swedish university, it’s time to be excited.
Here are the top eight things you need to be doing in preparation for your studies.
1. Accept the offer
The very first thing you must do is accept the offer. The deadline with the first selection around was 10 May. If you have missed the deadline but are nevertheless interested in the programme, contact your university directly to learn what you can do.
2. Pay your first tuition fee installment
To be able to apply for your residence permit, you’ll need paid your primary tuition fee installment. Your university will provide you with information on the best way to pay.
3. Make application for a visa and residence permit
If you’re from a country outside of the European Union, it’s high time to get started applying for your residence permit regarding studies. See Residence permits and visas for the basics, and check out the Swedish Migration Board’s website to apply.
4. Find housing
Determined by where in Sweden you’ll possibly be living, various housing choices will be available to you – see Accommodation for an overview of Swedish student housing. After examining the basics, your first place of contact should be housing office at your university. They’ll provide you with the details on the actual housing situation in your area and how you possibly can go about finding a home there.
In some cities, particularly much larger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg as well as Malmö and college towns like Uppsala as well as Lund, finding housing could be a challenge, so it’s recommended that you start your search as early as possible.
5. Arrange for practicalities
Health insurance is important to arrange just before leaving home – see Medical health insurance and medical care for an outline involving what applies regarding students from different countries. It’s also best if you look over your finances and consider if you need to look for a part-time job while studying. And don’t forget to read through our Practical advice so you’re ready for day-to-day life in Sweden.
6. Connect with your future classmates
Making contact with other students on your programme is a powerful way to make friends before you arrive on campus and discuss common quetions. A good start should be to check for postings on your university’s Facebook page or to look for a Facebook group for your programme. You also can check social media or community forums popular in your country for sets of students heading to Sweden. If you don’t locate a pre-existing group, you can start one yourself.
7. Read up on Swedish culture and your new city
There are lots to find out about Swedish culture and what you’ll have to look forward to in your leisure time. Get started by reading about your future home city and begin following the reports from Sweden via sites such as 'The Local'. You can learn all about Swedish traditions, culture and society at Sweden.se. Another great way to get involved with a Swedish frame of mind is to start off practicing your svenska (Swedish) by means of an online program. And why not see if your local Swedish embassy or maybe consulate has almost any events on over the summer?
Don’t forget to follow your university on social media to get in the loop on what’s taking place on campus! The majority of Swedish universities are on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, and several are also active on Instagram, Sina Weibo, Renren among others.
8. Come to Sweden!
In late August, it’s time for you to pack your bags and hop on the airplane, train or boat to Sweden. Your university will give you details on orientation for new international students. Make sure to arrive in time to get settled (and maybe check out a certain Swedish blue and yellow furniture store for basic furnishings and a dish of meatballs) before orientation starts.
See you in Sweden!
