"I want to learn about Swedish work-life balance"

He was one of the many international students who arrived at Studenthuset on the Frescati campus during Stockholm University’s Arrival Service weekend 24-25 August. Welcome teams greeted the newcomers at Arlanda Airport and a shuttle bus service made sure they reached campus smoothly. In Studenthuset the students were met by university staff and student ambassadors ready to assist and welcome them further.

Isaac Felipe Zúñiga Arias from Costa Rica attended the University's Arrival Service. Photo: Karin Persson

A lot of research before applying

“I’m going to study Statistics and Machine Learning”, Isaac said while enjoying some Swedish fika. “I did a lot of research before applying and this programme is just right for me. It’s my first time in Sweden but I’ve been to Europe before as I did an exchange in Germany when I was eighteen. It got me interested in European culture and your outlook on work, studies and spare-time.”

Justine Koh from Singapore, ready to embark on a bachelor's programme in Psychology, shared Isaac’s fascination with the Swedish way of life.

“I’ve heard a lot about your work-life balance. It seems so different from Singapore where there is a strong focus on work and studies and not so much on your personal life. I hope to be able to experience a new pace of life here. I am also very keen on the courses I’m going to take.”

Expectations of competitive studies and new friends

Leon Scheuplein, Max Schmid and Lukas Pohl from Germany – chatting away by the fika table as if they had known each other forever – had never met before. 

Students Max Schmid, Leon Scheuplein and Lukas Pohl from Germany. Photo: Karin Persson

“I really like the culture of Sweden”, said Leon who was going to do a two-year master’s programme in Psychology. “Stockholm is a great city and my study programme seems well-structured. I hope to broaden my knowledge within my study field and I want to make lots of international friends.”

Lukas had chosen a master’s programme in Strategic Information Systems Management.

“When I was going to choose where to study I asked myself: What do I like? What am I eligible for? I found this programme and it was just perfect. Stockholm is a very nice city. I hope my studies will be competitive and not too easy. I want to learn a lot.”

Max had come to Stockholm University for an exchange semester in Computer Science.

“I wanted to go to a bigger city in a Scandinavian country and this seemed like a good choice. I already took a language course in Swedish but so far I can only say my name.”

The three newfound friends were all planning to learn some Swedish during their time here and appreciated that the University offers free Swedish classes for international students.

Very good academic reputation

Jonas Gabriel and Luisa Batscheider, also from Germany, were excited about their forthcoming studies in Human Geography. 

“Sweden has a very good reputation in this field so it seemed wise to come here”, Luisa said. “I’ve only heard good things about Stockholm University.”

Jonas Gabriel, Charlotte Licht and Luisa Batscheider outside Studenthuset. Photo: Karin Persson

“I like the cold and I have some family here as my aunt is married to a Swede”, Jonas motivated his choice of study destination. “Another positive thing is that you study fewer courses at the same time, compared to Germany.”

Their compatriot Charlotte Licht was going to do an exchange semester within her master’s programme in Media and Communication Studies. She mentioned Sweden’s good reputation within her chosen subject as a crucial reason to study here and was looking forward to interesting courses.

Happy faces on campus

Hanna Kritz, International Coordinator at Stockholms University’s International Office that is in charge of the Arrival Service, was pleased to see so many happy new faces on campus. 

International Coordinators Erik Rosenberg and Hanna Kritz. Photo: Karin Persson

“Everything has been running smoothly this weekend. A lot of the students who attended Arrival Service yesterday, on Saturday, have returned to Studenthuset today, just to hang out in the café, have some fika and make new friends. It’s really great to see them.”

By: Karin Persson

Stockholm University's Arrival Service is part of the Wecome Activities for new international students.