Record number of international students at this year's Orientation Day

“I left my own culture behind and came here to experience a new one,” says Toheeb Adigun, a Master’s student from Chicago Illinois. Toheeb, whose study focus is Molecular Life Sciences, heard about the international programme from friends who had attended the University as foreign exchange students.  “Hey, I thought, what a good experience and decided to try it out,” he adds. 

At the beginning of every term, international students are given an Orientation programme, an overview of student services and an introduction to Stockholm University. As with any student gathering, it’s also an opportunity for students to meet and mingle. There’s a buzz of animated conversations all around and new relationships in the making.

“I came here on account of the high level of education,” says Mahta Yekkalamtash from Iran who is at Stockholm University to take a Master’s in Applied Mathematics. “I’ve researched the professors here at the University,” she explains, then adds “to tell you the truth, I’ve also read up on Sweden and I love Swedish culture”. 

There is, as usual, plenty of University staff on hand to guide newly arrived students and answer questions. An assortment of printed material is also on display, practical information designed to help this year’s crop of international students adapt to their new surroundings. 

“I met a professor from the Law department at a Cyber Law Conference in Pretoria,” says Master’s student René Erwee who hails from South Africa. “When she described the Information Technology and Law programme here at Stockholm University, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for,” she explains.

Erkan Deniz from Turkey is a “Free Mover,” which means that although he is taking three courses this term, he is not enrolled in any particular line of study. He appreciates that the courses are in English, but also admits “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to study Swedish here at the University as well.” 

Although most students do not speak Swedish, Stockholm University offers over eighty Master’s programmes in English. For those who wish to learn Swedish there are a number of courses available. www.su.se/english/study/courses/swedish-courses

In keeping with Stockholm University’s commitment to exploring what it means to be an international student here at Stockholm, the team at www.su.se/english will be returning to talk to Toheeb, René, Erkan and Mahta to find out how they’re getting on later in the term.

Text and interviews: Sarah Hollister