Studying abroad - To sweden - General

Well, title about sums it up but ill go into detail. I live in a shitty small town in North Carolina right now, but im going to Appalachian state univ in the fall, which is a pretty great school, im rooming with my brother in an apartment we already have up there. Hoping to major in computer science, all that jazz. But, Appalachian has the study abroad program, where i continue to pay my tuition, board, and food to App, and get to go live at any of the universities available oversea's. Im planning on doing this my sophomore year, so i can work and save up cash the freshman year to go over. I was curious if anyone could recommend a good amount of money to try and have for a year over in Sweden Spending money mind you, board and all that is already covered. Also, what type of big differences are noticeable in Sweden what should i expect, and just overall similarities and differences between there and america. Thanks you guys!

Have you checked this site? [URL]http://www.studyinsweden.se/[/URL] [QUOTE]What is the cost of living in Sweden? The amount of money that you need to have to cover your cost of living is SEK 7,300 per month. This amount is set by the Swedish Migration Board and you will need to show that you can cover this cost for the duration of your study permit. - What will be the total cost for studying in Sweden? The total cost will be one to three years of tuition fees (depending on the study program), plus one to three years of the required amount to cover your living expenses, i.e. SEK 73,000 per year (calculated for ten months). - See more at: [URL]http://www.studyinsweden.se/Home/News-archive/2010/Tuition-fees-from-2011/#idx_2[/URL][/QUOTE] So if we forget about the tuition fee, it's 73k a year. [editline]2nd March 2013[/editline] I've heard that Americans are really social, and tends to strike up conversations with strangers. That is something that'll never happen in Sweden, you'd be regarded as a crazy person if you do that. That's a difference. And then the climate and all that stff.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;39767265]Have you checked this site? [URL]http://www.studyinsweden.se/[/URL] So if we forget about the tuition fee, it's 73k a year. [editline]2nd March 2013[/editline] I've heard that Americans are really social, and tends to strike up conversations with strangers. That is something that'll never happen in Sweden, you'd be regarded as a crazy person if you do that. That's a difference. And then the climate and all that stff.[/QUOTE] Mm, so basically 10,000 USD$, pretty high but manageable. Ill most likely take a student loan and just bump over there with around 9k or so. Food, room, tuition and all that is already covered so this is literally just money for drinking, partying, events, touring etc. Damn, that is odd, in america i can chat up a random chick and end up walking off with her number and a hang out later. Is all of sweden as reserved as that?

[QUOTE=Septimas;39767337] Damn, that is odd, in america i can chat up a random chick and end up walking off with her number and a hang out later. Is all of sweden as reserved as that?[/QUOTE] Hah, that depends on where you are. If on a train or the buss, probably no. On the streets, no idea. There's his picture of Sweden that's quite funny, I couldn't find one without captions so you'll have to endure the text. Yes, this is actually happens really often. [thumb]http://i.qkme.me/3651ew.jpg[/thumb]

hahahaha I see what you mean. I guess not everyone is as open about stuff as they are in america. Im just used to loud boisterous people, be it intelligent, idiotic, or just plain out ignorant. Gonna go ahead and cover this. Whats the ladies like? Dating wise, hotness factor etc.

Okay I will try to give you some advice on how to survive in Sweden throughout the year. [b]Weather[/b] It will not get quite as hot as in North Carolina during the summer, and the temperature will differ quite greatly depending on which parts of the country you decide to study in. Swedes count their temperatures in Celsius, so be prepared to adapt to that. The temperature on typical summer days are 20-30 degrees, although it can go up to 35 occasionally. On spring and autumn it tends to rain a lot, and the temperature is milder compared to winters and summers (around 5-20 degrees). On winters, the temperature varies greatly. One week it can get as cold as -25 degrees and the very next week it is as mild as +5 degrees. You will require warm clothes and durable shoes, since you will be walking in slushy, snowy or rainy streets from October to April. The days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter; keep this in mind as the winters can get quite depressing due to lack of sunlight. This is especially true in the northern parts of the country where the sun never rises in late December. [b]Metric system[/b] Sweden uses metric system for measurement of everything. The Swedish mile ("mil") is 10 kilometers (the regular mile is 1.6 kilometers, referred to as the "English mile" in Sweden). [b]Time[/b] Swedes don't use AM or PM; they use 24 hour clock. 6PM in the U.S. is 18.00 in Sweden. [b]Alcohol[/b] Stores are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages whose alcoholic content does not exceed 3.5% to customers that are above 18 years. Stronger alcoholic beverages are sold at Systembolaget, which is a state-owned monopoly. The minimum age to buy alcoholic beverages from Systembolaget is 20 years. Bars and restaurants are still allowed to sell strong alcoholic beverages to people that are over 18 years old; so a 19-year old may order vodka at the bar but is not allowed to buy vodka from Systembolaget. [b]Traffic[/b] Like in North Carolina cars drive on the right side of the road. [b]Christmas[/b] Christmas celebration has its climax at 24th and not the 25th. Packages are opened on Christmas Eve. Swedes hardly celebrate at all on Christmas day, as you have a big hang-over to recover from. [b]Strangers[/b] Swedes are very reserved people and if you interfere with strangers' integrity by attempting having a conversation with them, sitting next to them on the bus when the its almost empty, buying a round of beer etc. will probably make them feel awkward or uneasy. However, once you get to know someone they will get very open; Swedes value a lasting friendship. [b]Adressing[/b] In Sweden, you adress people with their first name; adressing them with titles and last name is considered unusual and some might even get slightly offended by it. The only exception to this rule is royalty, but I don't feel it's necessary to inform you how to adress kings, as they are quite rare. To be honest, I'm not even sure myself. [b]TV[/b] Unlike Germans, Swedes hate having their television shows dubbed. All television shows which are in a foreign language is subtitled rather than dubbed. An exception to this is children shows. [b]Tap water[/b] Tap water in Sweden is of excellent quality and you can drink directly from the tap. Buying water is unnecessary and water in bottles might actually be less clean as the cleanliness requirements for bottled water isn't quite as strict. [b]Mosquitos[/b] In the summers there are a lot of fucking mosquitos. Unless you don't mind it itching everywhere, bring some kind of repellent. The mosquitos aren't dangerous; they don't carry diseases. They are just a big nuisance. [b]Being late[/b] Don't be late for dinners, meetings, lessons etc. Always show up on the minute, or even a minute before the set time. If you agree to have a date at 18:00 it is 18:00 unless you have a really good excuse. [b]Dangerous animals[/b] Ticks, wasps and snakes are probably the most dangerous wild animals in Sweden. They are poisonous, and to avoid snakes and ticks, don't walk in long grass in shorts during the summer. To avoid being stung by wasps, completely ignore them if they come close to you. If you get bit or stung you should seek medical attention. There are bears and wolves in Sweden, but they are very rare. There are also moose in Sweden, they are relatively common and can also be dangerous. You'd have to be really fucking unlucky (or stupid) to be injured in a wildlife accident so don't feel afraid of walking in the woods. Hope this helps...

Yep, definitely American if that's the question line. [sp]Poking fun at you. Still stereotypical though.[/sp]

[QUOTE=G3rman;39768506]Yep, definitely American if that's the question line.[/QUOTE] If im going to live in a country for a year, for the soul basis of integrating with a different society and learning their demographic makeup, I don't think asking about women would be too big of a deal. I've heard that the women in sweden are more.. Whats the word, forward? with approaches. In america for instance, you rarely EVER get asked out by a woman, if you do, shes forward as hell, and its not necisarrily rude, just un heard of. You also buy the woman's shit on every date just about, until your dating at least, then things even out a little, but generally it invokes the guy being a bit more chivalrous than anyway else. Of course that may just be because im in the south. and @ Ond Kaja, thanks for all the info, you really covered a lot. Boone (where the college im attending is) sounds honestly just like sweden, in terms of temperature at least lol. Winters there last from octoberish to around march generally, with the summers and spring being a fantastic weather where you can just sit outside, and not worry about it being hot or cold. Its great. The alcohol laws gave me a little bit of a hardy on reading them, I'll be 20 within 4 months of being over there so it seems i'll be having a VERY good time. What past times would you recommend? Hiking, snow boarding etc. And once im over there, what are some MUST do's. Where should i go, what should i see, what should i do, etc. Hows the party scene over there also? Here in america it gets.. wild. Im assuming europe is generally the same. In brazil its like a constant alcohol fueled rager every day there isn't school. [editline]2nd March 2013[/editline] Im not going to front though, my uncle went over there and said he had a harder time NOT seeing beautiful women. Said the country, and its inhabitants were all beautiful. [editline]2nd March 2013[/editline] OH and you have NO IDEA how bad mosquitos are kaja, come here to north carolina. If you go down near lakes in the summer, or ANYWHERE THAT THE SUN HITS for that matter, without bug screen you come out covered in bites. I honestly had at least 30 mosquito bites when i went camping for a night, and i brought spray. And fuck ticks. I had a few crawl up on my dick, one got near my hole and i was frightened.

[QUOTE=Septimas;39768551] And fuck ticks. I had a few crawl up on my dick, one got near my hole and i was frightened.[/QUOTE]i had a tick on my testicles once

[QUOTE=TehWhale;39768639]i had a tick on my testicles once[/QUOTE] I did too when i was like 5 years old. You know how awkward it is to ask your dad to get tweezers because you have a parasite feasting on your testicles?

[QUOTE=Septimas;39768683]I did too when i was like 5 years old. You know how awkward it is to ask your dad to get tweezers because you have a parasite feasting on your testicles?[/QUOTE]it's even worse when you have to go to a doctor to get it removed and he has to tape your dick to your stomach

I had to walk up to my dad and say "daddy, theres a bug on my weeny, and i cant get it off." i can still remember his face, the biting back of laughter, and also just straight awkwardness emnating from it. Fuck ticks

The quality of the party scene depends on where you're going to live. Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Lund and Uppsala are big university cities, so naturally they have a quite good party scene. Other cities are quite deserted at nights. No, girls will not usually ask you out, you will have to take the initiative. Also, alcohol is very expensive so you won't be able to party every weekend while keeping a sound budget. Expect to spend at least 500 SEK on a single night at the club. If you're going to study in Lund or Malmö, you can save a lot of money from importing beer from Denmark or even Germany. You don't need to be 20 to buy stronger stuff in those countries. Must do's depends on where you are going to live. Hiking is always fun if you live above Scania (Southern tip of Sweden, flat lands with fields with little forests and lakes, not very fun for hikers.) If you want to fish you usually need to purchase a fishing permit from the land owner beforehand. Only 30 bites on one night? Pffffffffff!

I've given this advice many times before, but seriously, barricade your house when the apples start to fall. You dont want to get in the way of a drunken moose.

You also stare angrily at people when they get closer than some meters, that's how it works in Sweden. :v:

[QUOTE=Septimas;39767422]hahahaha I see what you mean. I guess not everyone is as open about stuff as they are in america. Im just used to loud boisterous people, be it intelligent, idiotic, or just plain out ignorant. Gonna go ahead and cover this. Whats the ladies like? Dating wise, hotness factor etc.[/QUOTE] Ladies are supposedly nice around these parts. I say supposedly since I study IT Engineering so I have no idea. But you should be fine. If people find out that you are from the US they will flip out because people can finally use their super English skills with an actual American.

People will probably be interested in you when they hear you're American, atleast I get fascinated when i met one irl.

[QUOTE=Ond kaja;39768478][B]Strangers[/B] buying a round of beer etc. will probably make them feel awkward or uneasy.[/QUOTE] Lies and slander. Feel free to buy me a round when you get to Sweden Septimas. For Alcohol, depending on where you live, going to Germany and buying it there is a lot cheaper than in Sweden.

Prepare to pay Scandinavian style taxes

[QUOTE=kaskade700;39771378]Prepare to pay Scandinavian style taxes[/QUOTE] The only taxes he'll be paying as a student is VAT ("moms"), which is generally 25%. A reduced VAT of 12% apply for food, drinks etc. 6% VAT is added on books and newspapers. You don't pay any VAT at all for lottery tickets.

What university would you all recommend? I have choices from the following : Karlstad University Linnaeus University - Kalmar Linnaeus University - Växjö Lulea University of Technology Mälardalen University University West I am slightly leaning towards kalrstad and university west, but if there is one better just let me know. As of right now, my Major will be computer science. (given, i may change it once i get to college like 70% of the population but im pretty interested so lets go with that )

[QUOTE=Septimas;39771746]What university would you all recommend? I have choices from the following : Karlstad University Linnaeus University - Kalmar Linnaeus University - Växjö Lulea University of Technology Mälardalen University University West I am slightly leaning towards kalrstad and university west, but if there is one better just let me know. As of right now, my Major will be computer science. (given, i may change it once i get to college like 70% of the population but im pretty interested so lets go with that )[/QUOTE] Strange that you are studying computer science and they won't even mention KTH. (The Royal Institute of Technology) That's where I study. Great here if I'd say so myself.

[QUOTE=CommanderPT;39772035]Strange that you are studying computer science and they won't even mention KTH. (The Royal Institute of Technology) That's where I study. Great here if I'd say so myself.[/QUOTE] The institutions i mentioned above are the only colleges that do the study abroad program. Otherwise, i would have to go there and pay tuition, housing etc. With the study abroad program, a set amount of colleges in different countries group up, and allow you to pay the fee's at your HOME country, and go to a different country and learn.

[QUOTE=Septimas;39772053]The institutions i mentioned above are the only colleges that do the study abroad program. Otherwise, i would have to go there and pay tuition, housing etc. With the study abroad program, a set amount of colleges in different countries group up, and allow you to pay the fee's at your HOME country, and go to a different country and learn.[/QUOTE] Ah. Strange that KTH doesn't do that. Or well maybe just not with your uni since we have plenty of exchange students.

From that list I would say Luleå University of Technology (LTU) which after KTH and Chalmers is the best Swedish university for technical degrees. It's a lot smaller though which is a good thing because it's easier to get to know other students and professors and the party life is still quite vibrant so that's not an issue. Be prepared for the cold though. (Feel free to call bullshit, I'm clearly biased)

[QUOTE=sealpower;39772569]From that list I would say Luleå University of Technology (LTU) which after KTH and Chalmers is the best Swedish university for technical degrees. It's a lot smaller though which is a good thing because it's easier to get to know other students and professors and the party life is still quite vibrant so that's not an issue. Be prepared for the cold though. (Feel free to call bullshit, I'm clearly biased)[/QUOTE] No idea how it is at the main KTH Campus since I study IT which is in another, smaller part, but it is great here too. I'm not sure if a couple of thousand students is considered small but still. (Main campus has like 12 000 students) And Luleå is the only other one that I've heard of I think in that list.

Slightly off-topic: WTH is with alcohol prices everywhere. For me, 1/2 L of rather very good beer is around 1.4 dollars in my country :v. Vodka is around 12-15$. (for 1L)

[QUOTE=Amic;39776487]Slightly off-topic: WTH is with alcohol prices everywhere. For me, 1/2 L of rather very good beer is around 1.4 dollars in my country :v. Vodka is around 12-15$. (for 1L)[/QUOTE] Sounds like a sin tax is being applied.

I currently attend University West, can answer Uni. West specific questions if you have any.

I'm Portuguese and I actually know 2 Swedes. A boy and a girl about my age (21). I don't consider myself the most talkative of persons, and in general Portuguese people are considered the most introverted people among Latin peoples. However, I notice that I can never make a conversation take long with any one of those two. I always feel I'm talking and talking and it somehow feels kinda weird for them. I actually met this Swedish girl here in Portugal, yeah she was alright to be with in person, and very talkative too, but when I got back on facebook and tried to start a conversation it wouldn't go much beyond the "hey, how are you", "I'm fine, blablabla". Another thing I noticed is that when in music festivals, Swedish people are just motionless. They almost don't even blink. Also when I was talking with one of my Swedish friends about cultural differences and stuff he told me that marriage and long lasting relationships are getting rare. I wonder if that's actually true.