Erasmus Experience in Linköping, Sweden by Abby

Why did you choose to go to Linköping, Sweden?

I had never been to Sweden before and it always seemed like a lovely place. I was also persuaded by the fact that they were well known for speaking very good English.

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

I studied there for a year. Our tuition fees were paid and we received a grant of around 1000 euros each term. This helped a lot as it paid for my accommodation for the year.

What is the student lifestyle like in Linköping?

There is a huge student population. Most students live in 'Ryd' which is like a little town itself. Students live in 'corridor rooms' which are like halls in the UK. Ryd is a 10 minute bus ride from the centre and about a 15 minute walk to the University. Here there are a lot of parties and student events going on such as BBQ's.

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

Yes. As there are so many students it doesn't take long to feel at home! It is a beautiful city and a really good atmosphere for students.

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What is the food like?

We went to IKEA a lot for the Swedish meatballs! There are loads of Thai and sushi restaurants in Sweden. Food from the supermarkets is a bit more expensive than at home.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Linköping?

No, luckily I was given a room by the University straight away. A lot of people had problems finding accommodation so I recommend to sign up to the 'student BOSTADER' accommodation website as soon as you're given a place as you get points every day and the more points you have the closer to the front of the queue you get.

How much does it cost to live in Linköping?

Accommodation was not that expensive. Food and alcohol are noticeably more though.

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

I took Swedish courses that were available at the university. However, everybody spoke such good English, that I didn't really use the Swedish that I had learnt.

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

There were very cheap Ryanair flights and there was a cheap bus available from the airport in Sweden to Linkoping which took around 90 minutes.

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

There are lots of bars and clubs in the town centre. I would recommend Platå! HG is a student club which is in Ryd (where most students live) and that is cheaper than places in town. They host an international night on Tuesdays which is when the Erasmus students tend to go!

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

Ikea. Halfway between Ryd and Linkoping centre there is a pub called Flamman which does really good burgers and a jazz night on Wednesdays.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are a lot of beautiful cathedrals in and around Linköping. There are also many pretty lakes.

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

Get a bike when you arrive. Most students travel by bike and it is best to buy these from other students through a Facebook page rather than going to the bike shops who charge a bit more. Also make sure you get a bus card from one of the local shops before you get on a bus. These cards are topped up and it takes money off whenever you take a bus ride.