Study In Sweden

Stehlíková Vendula

Sweden is renowned for its open and accepting culture, which works its way into nearly every aspect of Swedish life including its education system and business culture. Swedes have a societal belief that everyone is equal regardless of class or gender

A HELL OF A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE

Let's have a closer look at a few highlights of what makes studying in Sweden unique. Firstly it's essential to acknowledge that Group work is inevitable. Decisions are generally taken together and ideas are discussed. Group work often constitutes a % of the final grade for individual classes, and it's reassuring to know that your grade doesn't just come down to the written paper or exam you individually do. Another great relief comes thanks to the option of retakes. So if you accidentally fail your exam, you don't have to repeat the whole course as in some other countries. Despite that, what may surprise you the most is the relationship between the student and the teacher. Because the students call their professors by their first name. Strange right? Although it may seem a bit inappropriate, the local students can't praise it. "It removes the pressure of talking to someone in authority and makes you more comfortable asking questions during lecture," they say. In fact, lectures are more actively participatory in Sweden. Not all the time, but there is certainly more freedom to ask questions and ask for clarification if you're not sure, especially when you are an international student. Another key part of seminars in Sweden is the breaks. They are explicitly to go and get coffee since coffee is always the priority in Sweden.

By and large, students notice how less stressed they feel in Sweden than in any other country. "Even the teachers are there to teach AND learn also from us," they add.

QUOTES BY THE CITIZENS

The great nature

"We're completely surrounded by an incredible wilderness. And even in our biggest cities it's never far away. So if you feel the need to escape the bustling city vibes, it's easy to get away and surround yourself in the peace and quiet and beauty of the Swedish countryside."

Ecological attitude

"Recycling is a big deal here.

And it'll quickly become second nature to you. And we've made it easy for you. You'll find recycling stations everywhere - in public spaces as well as your apartment building"

Don't be the weird one

"You'll rarely see us paying with cash these days. Not even for small purchases. In fact, many places now only accept card payments"

Travelling

"Just don't be surprised if no one sits next to you on a train. It's not you, it's us - we love our personal space. And long journeys that snake through hundreds of kilometres of Swedish countryside can actually cost less than in other European countries"

No stress needed

"The Professors here try their best to make everything clear, asking all the time if there are any questions or if someone did not understand, especially if they have international students in class. You can ask questions in class, set an appointment with the professor or counselor and of course, send an email about everything you don't understand. So, no worries!"