Erasmus experience in Stockholm, Sweden

Why did you choose to go in Stockholm, Sweden?

It was the only one Erasmus destination for me, because my first two choices were discarded. Anyway, it was a great choice both for the education provided from university and for the amazing city.

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

In my case the scholarship provided 6 months of my living, but is different from every university because there are different deal between home universities and Stockholm University. Overall the minimum time is 3 months and the maximum is 12 months. I suggest, if is possibly to do roughly a full year abroad because it is really worth it.

About the amount of money depends from your home university. I have received round about €500 for month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Stockholm?

Multi-ethnic. There are student from around the world and also a lot of Swedish students has different culture, because there was an immense immigration in the past decades. The Swedish are very nice and available to help you, but they are also introverts and do not give confidence so easily. Moreover there are hundreds of Erasmus students and it is definitely great! In the university the lifestyle is very informal not only with students, also with the teachers because most of them are Ph. D. The university staff is very helpful and it is not difficult to orientate in the different buildings.

Would you recommend the city and the Stockholm university to the the other students?

Dependes from your tastes! The student canteens is not very gradable, but I repeat depends from your tastes! The kotbullar (meatball with meal and onion) are definitely delicious and they are eaten with marmalade and raspberry; furthermore you can find the lax (salmon), it is very cheap and very fresh and it is possible to find it in the supermarkets; moreover you can find the Pitti Panna, a typical dish with eggs, potatoes and bacon.

How did you find your accommodation?

I found my accommodation by myself. The university staff did not give me any accommodation, but the other Erasmus students received it. There is a very big problem with the accommodations in Stockholm, because there hundred and hundred students! Anyway, it is not possible to find cheaply one, look the www.thelocal.se.

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

One single cheaply room costs around €350 for month, except the costs for electricity. The university accommodation cost about €200-250 all inclusive. The living costs are around €1000 for month.

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

It is difficult but it is not impossible, it need a lot of effort! I attended one course for the eramsus beginner students, but the room was so full (300 persons) and there was few lecture but it was so funny. Exist different intensive courses only for few person, but if you want learn something you need you attend them for a full year!

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

I suggest the flight company Rynair from Treviso to Skavsta, then from Flygbussarna to City Terminalen(central station) by direct bus.

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

Who loves the discos: Café Opera, Ambassador, Laroy, Sture Compagniet and the other pubs in Stureplan, but you need to be registerer on a guestlist

to have a free entry before to 23:30.

The best push are located in Gamla Stan, e. g. Movitz, Wirstroms, Stampen and others, then on the Gotgatan, Slussen and Medborgarplatsen.

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

The few time I went to eat out in the city I have been at Va Piano, an italian restaurant, and in other pizzeria, but I would not recommend because it is so expensive!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

A lot of museums, in particular the Vasa Museum, the castle, Gamale Stan and entire the city is to visit!

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

Enjoy. Don't be scare to wrong with the language because in the start everyone have difficults. You'll all be one big happy family and you will enjoy! I suggest to visit the entire city and stay away from house as much as you can because that experience will the most beatiful in your life! Good Luck !