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Studies > Sweden > Uppsala > Uppsala Universitet > Review by Melissa K 
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Uppsala Universitet (UU)

573 reviews
4.17 / 5 based on 573 reviews
Useful  |  1
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings<br> A private grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
I spent more overall in most categories because I tried to do as much as I could being in a new country and experiencing new things. International calls became something of a regular occurrence (which it isn't so much at home), I went out nearly eveyr night so nightlife was definitely a huge expense, I also travelled a number of times (to Kiruna, to Are to ski, to Berlin, to Helsinki, to Norway etc.), and the food was just a bit more expensive than usual. My accommodation was really very cheap in comparison to everyone else's - I don't know how that worked, but I'm glad it did! The accommodation is really one of the most reasonable things about Uppsala.
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Travel, Nightlife, Food, Telephone, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
Second-hand household items
Second-hand bedding
Administrative
Money from home
Personal comments
Try to take as much money as you can to experience all the wonderful aspects of Uppsala. Being a student is the most inexpensive way you can do it, but there is so much to do that it will end up costing you a lot of money. But it's worth it! If you get a phone, there's a huge amount of money that you have to put up at first (kind of like a bond), but you get it back at the end of your stay. There are ways of getting around it (like a Swede nominating you) but when you've just arrived, you don't want to ask big favours of anyone, so most people just pay it up front and then get it back at the end. Buy alcohol from the Systembolaget instead of when you are out at a nation's bar/club.
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Useful  |  1
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning Swedish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Swedish
How much did you improve your Swedish?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
Language difficulties
Social
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Personal comments
The worst thing was that my Swedish did not improve very dramatically, which I was hoping for it to do. Everyone there speaks amazing English and it was more frustrating for them to listen to me try to formulate a sentence in Swedish than it was for them to just speak in my own language. Anything to do with the university was no problem where language was concerned, but dealing with banks and other institutional organisations sometimes proved to be a little difficult.
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Useful  |  2
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
How much money I was going to go through in travelling, going out and drinking. Not that it would have made a difference though - I still would have gone even if I had known this. I just might have tried to save more money.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Academic reasons
2
Culture
4
Costs
3
Activities
3
Campus life
4
Party / people
4
Weather / location
4
Personal recommendation
I would recommend it so incredibly highly. I had one of the best experiences of my life, and I will always remember it and the friends I made there. It has given me so many other opportunities - to visit people in their home country, to host people in mine. A beautiful city with a gorgeous university and a charming place with a real vibrancy for student life. I can't imagine anyone not liking it.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
4
Traveled
4
Improved language skills
2
Met people from other countries
4
Became more independent
4
Partied a lot
4
Experienced a change in life
4
Advanced my studies & career
2
Final comments
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Useful  |  1
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Academic
Course recommendations
I did the Communications course which was fun and interactive and not really all that serious. The best thing about many of the courses offered for international students is that Swedish students are allowed to do them too, so you get the best of both worlds. We went on a field trip too to Berlin which was pretty cool.
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My academic experiences
Quality of courses
Variety of courses
Access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
To tell the truth, I wasn't really there for the academics. BUT! I did enjoy the classes I took and the group projects we did. Other people did more serious courses than I did (like international law) which required more focus, but they seemed to learn a lot from those too.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
Useful  |  4
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife, Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Activities
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Personal comments
Well, where to begin?! I was a member of Ostgota Nation, a fairly alternative nation in a beautiful old house with a great bar and great food. It was a smaller nation than some of the others, but I liked that. There are particular nights when everyone goes to certain nations: eg. Wednesday - Ostgota, V-Dala (disco music), Thursday - Kalmar (great groovy tunes), Stockholm (techno), Friday - Varmlands, Saturday - V-Dala. The cafes in the nations are the best value for students. Great cakes and sandwiches and Swedish treats. Again different nations are open certain days. I didn't really venture out into the town for bars or restaurants, as it was way too expensive in comparison. As for events not to be missed - well, I would say Valborg except that I missed it! The Spring and Autumn balls are also really popular and a big deal. Other small ...
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Useful  |  1
Melissa K
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, University Agreement
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
I was really happy with what was provided for me, and would see no reason to change it. I loved the corridor atmosphere, the mix of international and local students and the facilities were more than I had hoped.
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Personal assessment
Cost
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Personal comments
The only thing I didn't have and was looking forward to, was my own bathroom. The other hassle was when I managed to lock myself out of my room, and had to wait until the next morning for a locksmith to come and open it for me because of the hours of operation of the student housing desk. Understandable I guess. The best thing about this accommodation was the interaction and social nature of living. I was at Rackarberget, while the majority of students are at Flogsta, but I think there are pros and cons of both. My location was better for a start, but Flogsta maybe better for social reasons. Still, Rackarberget was pretty damn good!
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