Erasmus experience in Linköping, Sweeden

Why did you choose to go to Linköping, Sweden?

I wanted to find a country where I could practice my English but without being surrounded by English natives, so that I could practice with people that didn't have such a high level so it wouldn't be as difficult. In the middle of Sweden, I chose Linköping by process of elimination, as this was what my university suggested (Salamanca), through choosing directly what I liked and disliked about all the choices.

How long was the placement? How much grant did you receive?

I was there for 10 months, with a grant of just under 150€ a month.

What is the student life like in Linköping?

The city isn't that big, but there are students everywhere you go. Even despite the cold, there are always activities to do.

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

Of course. The city is so charming. It's not too big or too small, and has everything you need to get by comfortably. The university is full of international students from day one so knowing you're not the only one makes integrating so much easier. There are also loads of student groups such as ESN, that work with the university and Erasmus students to help internationals settle in.

What is the food like there?

In this global world that we live in, in almost every supermarket around the world we can find practically the same products and foods. Whatever country you're in. So, whilst you're there, you'll be able to get all the Mediterranean food you need, if that's what you want.

The prices are definitely higher, and for example, products like olive oil are really expensive. However, the products are really good quality, including the ones from Spain.

I will list some of the famous delicacies. I like all of them actually, I've even tried cooking some myself.

• Köttbullar: Swedish meatballs. The typical dish, that we all know thanks to Ikea restaurants. Usually with a side of mashed potatoes, pepper sauce and cranberry sauce.
• Kanelbullar: Cinnamon bun. The perfect accompaniment to a 'fika' (coffee). 'Fika' is the coffee break that people take at mid-day or half way through the afternoon, like a 'tea' break in England. Everyone has one in Sweden. The perfect excuse to share a hot drink with someone.
• Kläddkaka: Sticky chocolate cake. Also enjoyed with a coffee or tea when people have the 'fika'.

Did you struggle to find accommodation in Linköping?

Well if I have to say a negative about my time here, it was that accommodation was difficult to find.

And not because of the quality, but because of the number of places available.

I found out where I was going at the end of March/start of April (quite late compared to the rest of the universities in Spain and Europe) since this was the application deadlines for the parter universities. The university here in Linköping provides accommodation for international students, but the number of rooms was limited and were allocated on a first come first serve basis, whoever applied first.

So because of this, I had two options remaining: rent a room in the university residence or rent somewhere privately.

Renting somewhere privately was virtually impossible. In addition to there being too many requirements, it was very expensive. And the real estate agents don't help you much.

So my last option was staying in a university residence. But then came the problem: to get a room, you had to register on the residency website. Once you have registered, you earn points the longer you are a member (one each day) and then bid for the free rooms available at the time. The room is then assigned to the user with the most points. So you can imagine how difficult it is because you are competing against users that registered years ago.

I arrived in Linköping on July 30th, and I didn't have my own room until the end of October. I spent all my time without a room living on an inflatable mattress in the rooms of my friends that I had met there, that let me stay with them.

How much does it cost to live in Linköping?

Sweden is expensive. Linköping isn't one of the most expensive cities, but you will still notice a difference compared with Spain. And with the currency exchange, it works out even more expensive.

What is the language like? Did you take a university course?

If you speak English, you won't have any problem in Sweden. Even the elderly speak perfect English. Everything is translated into English. Even English films are played in the original version, with Swedish subtitles of course.

And Swedish, personally, I don't think is a difficult language. As well as this, the locals really appreciate it when you try to speak in Swedish because they love to hear you speaking their language and using their expressions.

When I arrived, I started the EILC Swedish course, which was subsidised with 250€. And then during the year, three of my university courses were in Swedish, and the rest were in English.

What is the cheapest way to get from your hometown to Linköping?

The closest airport or Linköping is Skavsta, where Ryanair operates from. It takes an hour to get to on the bus.

The Stockholm-Arlanda airport is the main one and it easiest to reach on the train. You can get the tickets for quite a cheap price if you buy them 'at the last minute', on this website. The journey usually takes two and a half hours.

What places would you recommend to go out in Linköping?

Each of the student neighbourhoods, where the residencies are, has its own student pubs and bars, and each have a specific 'party' night.

As well as this, every month there is a 'frat' party on campus organised by the student organisations such as ESN.

And eating in Linköping? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

Perhaps because I was living in the student 'areas' which was mostly just buildings filled with student accommodation, we used to make the most of cooking for each other and all together. We would organise dinners in the different 'korridors' (the buildings were organised like this, with corridors of 8/9 individual bedrooms with an en-suite, and a lounge and a kitchen to share) or we would arrange a BBQ outside which we did quite often.

What is there to do culturally in the city?

• One of the best things about Linköping is its aviation museum, since you can see the Saab factory there and an army procession.
• The city centre also has some good things on offer like the cathedral and the parks.
• There is also the ice hockey stadium.
• Gamla Linköping, the old town.

Any advice that you would like to give to future students coming to Linköping?

Register ASAP on www.studentbostader.se, even if your destination hasn't been fully confirmed yet. Even if you only have the slightest chance of going to Linköping, register anyway.

Apart from this, enjoy yourselves and get used to cycling wherever you go. Even at night, when it is snowing and the temperature is below zero.