Umeå Universitet (UMU)

My overall experience here in Umeå has been really excellent, as I can say. I learnt so much from other students, the local folks around and most of all the accademic culture was just perfect for me. I could travel internationally at cheaper rates and had international excursions organised by the school for international students. The city of Umeå is small and friendly and provides the necessary tools and requirements for a perfect study environment. Honestly, I haven't been to one better than this yet and you can study while catching some fun alongside. I loved it so much and it has been a big and wonderful experience in my life.

Get a membership card from IKSU. It's very cheap and good facilities. Sports is very popular in Sweden. Fika is too. This is drinking coffee and eating cake every single day! Unhealthy, so you will need to get the IKSU membership card ;-) Be aware of the short amount of daylight during autumn/winter. Go home for Christmas and during summer time. Hardly anyone will stay in Umeå so the city that has about 1/3 of students will seem dead. Be aware of the amount of snowfall (6 months a year). It can be very slippery in the last months of winter and the first months of spring! It takes long to disappear completely. Be aware of the Swedish drinking habits. They are quite shy (they say the further up North you go, the shyer they get). This is why they drink heaps when going out and they might get a bit annoying.

It was a really great experience: meeting people, improving the skills in english...

You will need a bike.

Although it took about 30 min by bus to go to SSE and the rent was pretty expensive for a 18 m² room, I started to like it pretty soon. First, there were a lot of other students from all over the world around, so we had a lot of parties and other social events. Second, the area around the accomodation was very green and quiet, so it was good place for jogging. Moreover there was a huge sporthall very close to the accomodation, including gym, badminton courts, sauna, aerobic and rooms to play football.

The weather here is pretty cold and you need a lot of warmth clothing especially if you're coming from a tropical region like Africa. Save enough money becuase it is almost impossible to find work here. ake sure you have an international students ID card because this will enable you to fly from Stockholm to this place for only SEK300. The flight takes one hour. If you want to travel by train or bus, it will take you approximately 12 or 8 hours respectively. Make sure you buy all your books before you come because books are expensive here. It is a great place to study and i hope very one enjoys it as much as i did.