Stockholm university

“I've heard that Swedes are really nice people”

On Sunday 15 January expectant international students were greeted by Stockholm University’s welcome teams at Arlanda Airport. Some of them, like Errel Ung from Singapore, had been travelling for many hours before reaching the country where they will live and study for the next semester.

Free shuttle buses took the newcomers directly to Studenthuset on the Frescati campus where other welcome teams were ready to guide and assist them.

“I arrived at Arlanda around midnight, the flight took about 19 hours”, Errel Ung smiled as he waited in a queue to register with the Stockholm University Student Union. “It is my first time in Sweden and Europe.”  

Singaporian exchange student Errel Ung.
Errel Ung arrived from Singapore for an exchange semester at Stockholm University.
 

Safe and green

Sweden’s reputation for being a safe country with a green capital was one of his reasons for choosing Stockholm University as the place to pursue his psychology studies during an exchange semester.

“I've heard that Swedes are really nice people. I think studying here will be fun and I expect an environment where you are open to discussion.”

At this stage Errel Ung didn't know any Swedish but he was looking forward to trying to learn the language by simply talking to people as well as checking out the University’s free Swedish courses offered to all international students. He was also looking forward to getting involved in student life activities on campus. The only disappointment during his first day in a northern European country was the lack of proper winter. 

“In Singapore the weather is hot and humid all year round, I hope there will be some snow here”, he said.

 

High expectations of Sweden

Vanessa Hofmann, an Austrian fellow newcomer, had also expected colder temperatures. She had arrived from Glasgow in order to do ‘an exchange within an exchange’ within her politics and economics studies.

“I wanted to study in Sweden as Swedes are known for being really nice people. Before today I hadn’t met a single one, though”, Vanessa Hofmann revealed. 

Other things she loved about Sweden included design and environmental consciousness. Once the spring semester is finished she will spend the summer in her native Austria before returning to Great Britain for another year at the University of Glasgow.

Exchange students on Arrival Day.
Exchange students Vanessa Hofmann and Christiana Zorzi.

Student housing on the outskirts of campus

Christiana Zorzi from Cyprus had chosen Stockholm University because of her subject area, mathematics and statistics, and the high level of English here. She had decided to do the exchange together with a student friend of hers.

“My friend didn't get student housing like I did, though, so we won't live together”, she explained.

Christiana Zorzi herself belonged to the category of international students eligible for student accommodation through Stockholm University and had been offered a room in the so called Lappis area on the outskirts of the Frescati campus. During the Arrival Service in Studenthuset she could pick up her keys from the Housing Office.

When asked about her expectations of the forthcoming spring semester at Stockholm University, Christiana Zorzi took a moment before answering.

“I am not really sure what to expect during my time here. I will take it the way it comes. This way I am sure it will all be perfect, whatever happens.”

The Arrival Service is part of the Welcome Activities for new international students that take place every semester.

Text and photo: Karin Persson