Erasmus experience in Karlstad, Sweden

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Why did you choose to go to Karlstad, Sweden?

For a new and different experience, Northern Europe is not such a common place for many English to go either on an exchange, or consider for a holiday.

Taste of a new culture and living alone, to help decide whether I am ready for the 'real world' after university, personal challenge.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

6 - 7 months, depending on personal choice. Around 250 euros from Erasmus grant.

What is the student lifestyle like in Karlstad?

Local students study hard and are very serious. Exchange students seem to get a lesser deal and end up on less challenging courses, more for the personal experience rather than educational one.

Students have plenty of free time, travel is a huge aspect for many students going there (likewise).

Parties were very common on campus - if there's one in your corridor, don't fight it - join it! They're fun and plus, you won't get to sleep if you don't join in!

The clubs are nice, around £6 for entrance and coat deposit, however, there are some nights with free entry. There are also flyers that get you in cheaper or if you arrive before 11pm it is free also.

There are 4 main clubs in town and one out of town, they're all very good, drinks can be pricey, but like most exchange students, you will pre-party, (drinking before going out with your group) until rather late then hit the club to save money. One club is open air in the summer (Korriander). This is great!

There are students from all over the world on campus and very open and friendly, you will make some great friends here - for life!

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Would you recommend the city and the University of Karlstad to other students?

Of course! If you're tempted, look out for the signs, and feel the motivation! Go, Go, Go!

What is the food like?

Poor.

However, you will shop for your own food and cook your own food, so if you're a good cook, or not lazy, or have friends who you share cooking with you will eat great! However, eating out, is kind of pricey in relation to English prices (you should expect this everywhere anyway! )

If you're luckly enough to try some local food, you will come across Elk, Reindeer, Bear on some occassions (up north! ) and they are all very nice. Don't be shy, try it!

And of course, there are local take aways, pizza from 'kronoparken' pizza place is cheap and good!

Burger King is a must after a night out, if you can bare the queues and do it fast enough to get the late night bus home. It's worth it. (around 6. 50 for a meal though) Look out for vouchers!

How did you find your accommodation?

Great value for money, in comparison to English student accommodation in particular. Around 90 a week inclusive of everything. Large rooms are fair sized and small are as to be expected, the studios were nice but had been issued upon a sharing basis with one other person (same sex unless requested otherwise)

I'd deff take the corridor accommodation though (personal opinion, and the landlords for the studios - Tallen - were, hard to reach to say the least, even if STUB are like typical landlords, there's an office in town for corridor accommodation.

Beware, the kitchens are never clean, regardless of all our efforts, it just doesn't work!

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What are the accommodation prices like? What are prices like for other things in general?

Around £90 a week for the large room accommodation, depending on exchange rates at the time - it can vary.

Drink in the 'systembolaget' alcohol store - £6+ for a bottle of wine, £1. 50 / £2 for a bottle of beer / cider, Spirits varied from around £13+ and got very pricey for popular and strong drinks i. e. Vodka - Buy before you got at the airport OR go on the student cruise arranged by ISAK and get it all in the duty free or the cheap country you go to!

Milk for 1ltr - £1. 00 average.

Food was only around £1 or £2 more for some things in the supermarkets to prices here in the UK.

There is IKEA for homeware and so on, although a lot of kitchen products (plates, cutlery, etc) can be found in your 'communal' cupboard in the kitchen, so there's no need to spend money on those really.

Bedding is needed if the person before you hasn't left any, however it is cheap enough in IKEA!

A night out if you're sensible will cost no more than £20.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Yes, I took no formal lessons in Swedish whilst there, yet from exposure, (and subtitles on the tv) gradually picked things up and found it similar to German for those of you who may know some German. However, the pronunciation is different to spelling - of course.

Apparently the Swedish beginners classes aren't great, but hey, if you want to do it, it's easy credits, and a great way to mix with most the other exchange students.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Karlstad from your city?

On the way I took SAS flight for £200 due to not knowing how to get there and due to the luggage. However, i had only 20kgs with this and it was 2 flights - Birmingham - Copenhagen, Copenhagen - Karlstad (THEN it was a £50 taxi ride to campus! - NO buses from campus / town go to or from the Airport as far as I'm aware).

The cheapest alternative: Ryanair!

Stansted - Stockholm OR Gothenburg, From Gothenburg airport is £6 single on a 10 minute coach to the centre, where the station is, then £10 one way train ticket, to Karlstad, around 3 hours, then from the station there, walk into the city centre (1 minute straight walk) and a bus (number 1) to campus (around £2 - get a bus card afterwards).

It sounds complicated but it's really not! And the flight could be (with 15kg luggage and 10kg handluggage) around £30? Inexpensive - if you need help with any of this please contact me!

Flying to Stockholm may be cheaper than Gothenburg, BUT travelling from the airport to the centre is expensive and long.

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Karlstad?

1. Korriander *** The best!
2. Temple **
3. (Last resort) Ankan.

But of course you will make your mind up! Not forgetting corridor parties, great for mixing with your peers! Also, the bars are okay but expensive if you just want a few drinks. Nightlife in Stockholm and Gothenburg is good, but expensive!

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Karlstad?

Burger King!

Restaurants were really too expensive on my budget, but Score bar did serve food and it was reasonably priced. However, a bit small portions.

The restaurant opposite the university 'Teachers' was very good. Great food, big portions, good prices - perfect!

The Pizza place in 'kronoparken' (back of the university - on the way to campus) cheap but only pizzas and kebabs, not really a restaurant.

Don't miss getting a baguette around £3 for a big one, from Eddis in town (next door to Burger King). Try the chicken curry, it's nice!

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Karlstad, not so much, the lakes are the main spot in this area, but of course not in winter so much either.

However, Stockholm is beautiful with a lot to see in Gamla Stan - 'old part', a rough literal translation - is beautiful, great narrow streets and staircases, the palace (don't waste money going in side) and the parks. The newer part is okay but not much to see.

Gothenburg, plenty to see - a lot busier than Stockholm, i prefered Stockholm.

Then you can of course go up north - Kiruna - beautiful, and i did Dog sledging up there, saw the Ice hotel and took a motor sledge. I'm not sure of the actual name of them, but I did that at night and was lucky enough to see the Northern lights - great trip!

Narvik (Norweigan north) beautiful breathtaking fjords and mountains. There is not a great deal to do, but it is a historic town none the less.

Bergen in Norway - gate way to the Fjords, took a day cruise for around 50 pounds, inclusive of 2 boats 1 train and a coach journey with time in between. I saw some beautiful things!

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Karlstad in the future?

Go and have fun, you will never experience anything like Erasmus! Make the most of it, it goes fast! Don't look back! Save your money before you go! Meet people!

I wish you all the best luck!

Claire x