Sweden is an open, multicultural society with a long tradition of welcoming international students. As a student in Sweden, you will have many opportunities to make new friends. To ensure that you get as much as possible out of your studies in Sweden, it is a good idea to get involved in student life early on.
Housing
The housing situation varies considerably from place to place. Usually there is more accommodation available at higher education institutions located in smaller and middle-sized towns. In cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg and in the traditional student towns Uppsala and Lund it is more difficult to find housing.
The local student union can sometimes help you find housing, though it is not required to guarantee you accommodation, and may not in fact be able to help you. Swedes are reknowned for having one of the highest rates in the world for living alone. It is fairly uncommon for friends to share the rent in a one bedroom house/flat. It is on the other hand quite common that someone would live in a one room studio/unit (kitchen, bedroom and lounge are all part of one single room). Housing provider might not approve of more than two people sharing a one-bedroom flat.
"Corridor" housing is the most common student housing. A number of rooms are connected with a common corridor, a common kitchen and a common living room. The kitchen usually has an oven, a couple of refrigerators and a microwave. Corridor rooms may have their own shower and toilet, or you may share a shower and toilet with your corridor friends. Living in a corridor is a great way to meet friends.
Cost of living
If you need to apply for a residence permit you must prove to the Swedish Migration Board that you will have a guaranteed sum of money at your disposal throughout the entire period of your studies. Set by the Migration Board is that you will have to prove that you have SEK 7 300 per month for ten months of the year, is. If you wish to bring your family you must show that you have at your disposal an additional SEK 3 000 per month for your spouse and SEK 1 800 per month per child.
A feasible budget
Food: SEK 2 000.
Accommodation: SEK 3 200.
Local travel: SEK 500.
Telephone/internet: SEK 200.
Insurance, medical care and hygiene: SEK 300.
Clothing, hobby/leisure, other: SEK 920.
Total: SEK 7 070, or about EUR 750.
Remember however, that prices can vary considerably depending on where you live. Stockholm, for example, is more expensive than smaller towns.
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Meet students
Swedenintouch is Sweden’s official online community for international students. On the website you can interact with other students, students who are going to study in Sweden, students who already are studying or who have finished their studies. You can for example post questions or discuss different topics. When you come to Sweden the best place to meet people is to join some student activities such as the union, nations or other student clubs. Living in corridor housing is also a great way to meet Swedes and make new friends.