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Tag archives for international student

Working while Studying in Sweden

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When I was studying at University in Canada I always had a job. Just something part-time to help with the costs of life as a student, but not too many hours so I could still get my homework done. What I have noticed in Sweden is that having a job while you study is not very common.

In Sweden being a student is a full-time job and going to school needs to be the highest priority. A full course load is intended to be equal to that of a 40 hour work week. Even though the amount of time you spend in class may be less, the expectation is that work done from home makes up the difference. Students do readings and assignments from home when they are not in class.

This entails more of an individual responsibility. The amount of time you put into your studies is equal to what you will get out of it. From this point of view, having a job would interfere with the responsibilities of being a student.

That is not to say that students don’t have jobs. Not all programs or courses are quite so intense. This can leave time for a little job on the side. Even many international students manage to find jobs to help with the cost of studying in a foreign country.

Students studying in Sweden from the EU are able to work during their study period without a permit. For those of us from other countries it is also possible to get a job while studying, assuming you have a valid residence permit. While part-time jobs are limited (especially if your Swedish skills are lacking), as a student you always have the opportunity to work.

One of the best places to find student jobs is at your university, for masters students especially. While these jobs may be hard to get, there are usually a few positions available in every department for teachers and course assistants.

And, there is always the option of a working for a nation. Most nations hire international students to work in their pubs, restaurants or cafes; however, this work is usually paid very little. If you are looking to make money, than a nation probably isn’t the right choice for you. If you are looking to make new friends and practice your Swedish then it could be the perfect fit.

Finding a balance between work and school can be hard when your studying abroad. But if you can find the time, working while your in Sweden is always an option.

Photo By: roamallday (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Kristin Follis — Student

September 19, 2011

An International Food Party!

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Perogies, guacamole, meatballs, tortillas, tom yum gai, carbonara, paella, naan, dumplings… the options are endless.

The best part about studying in Sweden is the diversity in every class. Not only does this contribute to interesting discussions in class, but it also means getting to know many different cultures.

A typical corridor dinner! Photo By: Mararie (CC BY SA)

Coming to a new country, far away from your home, family and friends, can be difficult, but meeting new people is never difficult. Most exchange students live in corridors where you have your own room and share a large kitchen and living area with 8-15 other students from all over the world.

One of the best ways to take advantage of this diversity is to take turns cooking some food and EATING.

My program started in the end of August last year with just over 100 students representing approximately 52 nations. Most people were thinking ‘wow… we represent a huge percentage of countries in the world’; I, however, was thinking ‘wow… imagine of all the good food that people can make’!

And thankfully I wasn’t the only one. A month after the first day all 100 of us met in a common room near the student housing area to have an international food party. The selections included Indian, Thai, Swedish, Chinese, French Canadian, and even included an American classic, root beer floats.

The result of an international food party! Photo by: Wowwow Ja

And of course, it’s even better if you can actually learn how to cook. Next time you go home for a visit you can dazzle your friends and family by cooking some spicy Thai soup, Russian pelmeni or an Indian masala.

There is no doubt that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. And, there is no better way to unite a diverse class or a corridor than to share food from all over the world. I can assure you the food will be amazing!

So remember when your leaving for your studies in Sweden, don’t forget your recipes to your favorite homemade food!

Kristin Follis — Student

May 29, 2011

Time to Learn some Swedish!

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You may think that learning a language when surrounded by lots of people speaking that language would be easy… but it’s not. One of the biggest obstacles to learning Swedish is that most Swede’s speak English. Not only is it easy for them to switch over to English, but even more so, it is easy for an English speaker to give up and stop trying to speak Swedish.

It is true that learning a language in country where no one speaks your language might be easier. It forces you to learn in order to communicate.

While this might not be the case for Sweden, there are still many upsides to learning the language. You just have to be willing to put some time and effort into it. And, of course, maybe embarrass yourself a few times for saying the wrong word that may mean something completely different than you intended.

 

It may take a lot of work, but learning Swedish is worth it! Photo: Kristin Follis

Here are seven reasons to learn some Swedish!

  1. You can have a secret language with the Swede’s that other international students may not understand if they don’t study as well. Who doesn’t want to have a secret language
  2. If you want to dive into some true Swedish culture than knowledge of the language is a must. Swedish music, poetry, movies or tv programs offer great ways to get to know more about Swedish culture.
  3. If you are dreaming of dating a Swede some knowledge of Swedish is helpful. A great way to break the ice and start a conversation is to show off your Swedish skills!
  4. It is an important way to gain some insider information. If you come to Sweden and don’t want to be treated like a tourist or simply want to get something different from a tourist experience than learn some Swedish!
  5. If you ever plan to work in Sweden a strong command of the language is crucial. While there are a few jobs in Sweden for English speakers, they are very few and some Swedish is usually required. Learn Swedish and get a great job!
  6. It keeps your mind strong and healthy. Learning a second, third or even fourth language is very challenging and very stimulating for your brain.
  7. You will without a doubt gain some sort of personal satisfaction after having that first conversation in Swedish. It is a challenging language and nothing will make you feel better than conquering it!

 

I study Swedish twice a week. My Professor Lillemor. Photo: Kristin Follis

As an international student it is pretty easy to find courses available while you study in Sweden. Most of the Universities offer night courses to help all of us English speakers at least get a basic knowledge.

If your school doesn’t offer Swedish as a second language don’t fret. The municipalities run courses for free for people with a personal number (if you are studying for over one year). There are also many other study associations which offer courses in Swedish for a fee.

If you really want to experience Swedish culture, meet some Swede’s and have the best experience possible while you are here, learning Swedish is a must!

Kristin Follis — Student

May 10, 2011

Far Away from Home

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Being an international student can be hard sometimes. Whether your gone for six months, 1 year or two years, being away from your family and friends can more difficult than you imagined.

The feeling of homesickness is something most international students get. At some point everyone craves the more familiar like friends, food, pets or family. Sometimes it just feels like it all is so far away.

The holiday’s can make it even more difficult as you remember certain traditions you used to have, family gatherings and home cooked meals. It can also be hard to miss all of those traditions going on at home that you have grown up with for so many years.

The best way to deal with homesickness when you’re an international student in another country is to get out and meet some people. You can even do something that reminds you of home.

Carving the turkey! Photo:Andreas Bergman

This past Easter I took a trip to Sjövde to visit my Swedish family. Being around family, even if they are not your own, is a great way to kick that holiday homesickness. We may not totally speak each others languages, but we all enjoy it nonetheless. Just hanging out and relaxing with my second family makes me feel like I’m back at home.

This visit was especially nice because we tried out some Canadian holiday traditions. In our family, it is very typical for most holidays (Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving) to get together and spend most of the day preparing a turkey and a big holiday feast. The get-together usually involves everyone in and around the kitchen enjoying food and wine, making jokes and having fun.

This year my Swedish family surprised me with a turkey and together we spent the afternoon in the kitchen preparing the turkey and all of the fixings!

A Swedish-Canadian inspired Easter feast! Photo:Andreas Bergman

If you are new to Sweden and don’t yet have any close family, friends, or family of friends there are always lots of chances to meet new people. Most universities have a buddy matching program for exchange students where they match you up with a Swede. Some schools also match you up with families in the region to enhance your ‘Swedish’ experience.

So if your feeling a little homesick, don’t worry, it happens to everyone. Try to take your mind off of it and hang out with some close friends, get our of your apartment and do something. The feeling doesn’t last forever and soon you will be back to normal!

Kristin Follis — Student

April 27, 2011

Curious about student life in Sweden?

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Visit our film room

If the answer is yes, you should go to our film room and watch the Study in Sweden videos. They offer a glimpse of how international students think and feel about their new life in Sweden.

You can also watch an interview with Sergej Kazatchenko, who moved to Sweden to study at Umeå School of Business and afterwards took a job as a Financial Analyst at Swedbank in Stockholm.

Another great way to hear what international students say about Sweden is to visit our community site, SwedenInTouch.se. With over 11.000 members you can easily get in touch with students who are in Sweden or have been studying in Sweden.

Enjoy!

Lisa Larsson — Study

February 23, 2011