Type of housing: Corridor

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? There is nothing wrong with a corridor, but I think I was lucky with it this trime. You never know what kind of people you will find. A appartment is more something of your own. The advantages of a corridor is you have social contact really fast and if you stay for a short period you do not have to furnish it. I would only choose an appartment if I would stay there for a longer time.

Personal comments:
The corridor I lived in was very nice and clean. This of course depents on the people living in it. Some people moved out of their room because the corridor was so dirty! I had my own shower and toilet and this was really good! It gives you a lot more privacy! The rooms were very spaceful, you could have a visitor over easily! There was enough light and were enough windows in the room which I think are very important. You had the chance to decorate it your own way and that made you feel more at home. Living together with other international students and Swedes was very nice and it meant you had a social life directly. Depending on your presence in the common room or 2 kitchens which you share. In these rooms everybody had breakfast, lunch and dinner, then you meet your neighbours and have a chat. Then you also get to know where there are parties or other activities as bowling or something else. Sometimes you organise a dinner or parties with all the corridor which is very nice too!

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
Of course I have to begin with the student pubs which have the cheapest beer and are very nice too! They are called Stalllarna and Sivans, I personally prefer Stallarna. This pub has two floors, downstairs there is a dansfloor and louder music. Upstairs it is more a brown bar and you can sit and talk, the music is less loud and more alternative (bands, sometimes live music!). Upstairs you can smoke, downstairs not. The Irish pub O'Keeffes is not to be missed! Very nice to have a chat and enjoy a foreign (your home countries?) beer or a simple Guinness or Kilkenny. Then there are some hip clubs called Grace, Time and Café Momento if you want to have a real night out these are the places to see and be seen. For a coffee I would recommend Espresso bar and P.M. The event that can not be missed is Allkår! This is a 4 day festival in May, it means partying, big BBQ's, concerts, Bränball (playing softball and drinking wine!), Olimpic games, Music, and a lot of queuing (but don't look up to that, it's fun!). Then there is midsommer, this is a huge party which is a great Swedish tradition! The people dance around a decorated tree, sing and celebrate the summer! This event finds place on the day that the year is in half, so somewhere in June. There are a lot of traditions in Sweden and Växjö and if you come to study at this university you will receive a booklet containing all needed information including all events while you're there!

Course recommendations:

Personal comments:
none

Language of instruction: English

Main source of funding:
Government assistance

Other sources of funding:
Family
Personal savings
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits:
Sweden is simply a very expensive country. the food is very expensive and so is the alcohol. Actually nothing is cheaper. Your social life is far more busy as weel then at home so you spent more. You also travel more to see something of the country, in Holland travelling with public transport is free if you study.

Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Housing: was more expensive than at home.

Telephone: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
It is handy to open a Swedish account, but not necessary. It is very useful to bring your own computer or laptop! Because at the end of each module the computer rooms are more then occupied. Take a laptop if you can I would say, you can also quite easily (you have to put some effort in that) arrange an internet connection at home, so that is an extra reason! Then you can also call home for free from your computer! (Depending on what country you are from).

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!