Erasmus Experience in Linköping, Sweden by Clément

Why did you choose to go to Linköping, Sweden?

It was not even in my list of vows.

My Master's responsible didn't like my vows so he made me change them, and put pressure on me to go to Sweden. I didn't realize what was happening. Next thing I knew, I was in Sweden. This is one of the most absurd experiences of my life.

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

I got enough money.

What is the student lifestyle like in Linköping?

It's really independent. You get to read books, take optional courses and labs. I like to be independent, but as an Erasmus student, I felt like it was defeating the purpose of an international experience. You just can't get integrated if they ask you to stay at home and read books, and have no more than one or two optional courses per day.

Even in the first semester, it would be difficult. I came on the second semester.

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

I think the University is fine, also Linköping which is a lovely little city, but I would definitely not recommend the Erasmus program in general though, because there's been a lot of problems. Guys, just go where do you want to go, traveling is awesome, but do NOT concede anything on your destination. You will regret it.

Source

What is the food like?

It's very different, there's a lot of milk-based food, they like to merge salt and sugar also, and they also like foreign meals like tacos. I didn't like some of the specialities, but most of them were good.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Linköping?

It cost me several months of my life, and I ended up in the living room of a flat without curtains, for the price of a regular flat.

How much does it cost to live in Linköping?

Food is expensive, but there is always a way to save up, you can buy japanese noodles and things like that, if you don't have enough money. You just have to forget about alcohol.

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

You can take beginner courses, indeed. Language is quite hard though.

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

From Toulouse, it was by flight with a low-cost company.

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

I don't know.

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

I don't know either.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The cathedral of Linköping.

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

Be very careful about your accomodation, I had a friend who ended up locked in a basement at nights, his host was an insane women who kept six students in her basement to get money. Also, some cities like Stockholm accept more student than they can host in flats, so dozens of students are homeless every year and sleep in tents in campus for weeks, with freezing cold outside.

This is not a joke, I've been there. I've seen these facts face-to-face.

I'm using this interview to tell people.