Author: Guestblogger (Page 18 of 20)

Like Christmas, Easter and Valborg, Midsummer is one of the most significant days in the Swedish calendar. For many, it is the most loved holiday, and is celebrated enthusiastically all over the country by young and old alike. Like the other holidays I mentioned, Midsummer is recognised on the evening preceding Midsummer Day. Given Sweden’s long, cold and dark winters, it is no surprise that the beginning of summer is an occasion to be solemnised. There are countless traditions and festivities surrounding the day, and many of which are practiced as devotedly today as many years ago. Before I tell you how to experience a classic Swedish Midsummer, here is a little information about its origins.

Where did it all start?

Midsummer was initially celebrated in Northern Europe as a pagan festival that recognised the summer solstice, when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North Pole. Through Midsummer festivities, the end of winter was rejoiced and the longest day of the year was welcomed. Many cultures acknowledged the event with various types of feasts and rituals, often with themes of fertility to ensure a bountiful summer season and a successful harvest. The holiday always falls around 24 June, which is also the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Apparently, the early Catholic Church decided to take possession of pagan festivals by associating them with important Christian dates. This is why Midsummer is also known as St John’s Day, and often also incorporate themes of religion and specifically, Christianity.

In 1952 a decision was made by the Swedish Parliament that Midsummer should always fall on a Saturday, and Midsummer Eve on a Friday. This means that in Sweden the observance of Midsummer now transpires on the Friday between 19 and 26 June.

So, here are my tips for a traditional Swedish Midsummer:

1. Head for the country

In the days leading up to Midsummer more and more people will head out into the countryside or the archipelago. Midsummer is definitely an outdoor occasion, so it is important that you leave the city centre in order to celebrate. Hopefully you will be invited to a party at somebody’s summerhouse. If not, there are plenty of areas (such as Gamla Uppsala or Skansen in Stockholm) that host large Midsummer events for the public.

2. Make a flower crown

To look the part, you need to wear a flower crown on Midsummer. Early in the morning, people go outdoors and find wild flowers and leaves to adorn their hair. This is most common for women and children, but often for men too. Many Swedes will also wear traditional folk costumes on Midsummer, with the details of each outfit representing the specific region in Sweden that the wearer comes from.

3. Raise a maypole

One of the most iconic Midsummer symbols is the tall wooden maypole, or midsommarstång, decorated with flowers and ribbons. Some claim it represents an axis that connects the world of the living to both the heavens and the underworld, originating from Norse mythology. However, given that Midsummer is a celebration of reproduction and fertility, many others see the maypole as a phallic symbol, and I have to agree.

4. Dance around the maypole like a frog

Once the maypole is up, the music starts and it is time to dance and sing. There are many different Midsummer songs, but arguably the most popular is a song called Little Frogs, or Små grodorna. During this song, both adults and children hop around the maypole pretending to be frogs, singing the deep and poetic lyrics “Little frogs are funny to look at, they don’t have ears or tails”. When this song starts playing we encourage you not to ask why, but to join in and enjoy. We understand that there’s versions of this song in a lot of countries. So if you recognize it, feel free to post it below!

5. Eat a Midsummer meal

Like all of the main Swedish holidays, a big part of the Midsummer tradition is to eat, drink and be merry. Once you have been in Sweden for a while you will start to realise that similar food is eaten on each major occasion, and this includes pickled herring, boiled new potatoes served with sour cream and chives, smoked salmon and gravadlax, hard boiled eggs and strawberries. On Midsummer, this is all washed down with a spirit called schnapps, and partygoers sing a drinking song before each new glass.

6. Pick more flowers

Midsummer is thought to be a magical time for lovers. At the end of the evening, girls and young women are supposed to pick seven different types of flowers, and place them under their pillows. Legend has it that their future spouses will come to them in their dreams.

If you want to see more of Midsummer in Sweden, we encourage you to watch some of our current international students take over our Instagram account, TaggedforUppsala on Friday 23 June.

Happy Midsummer everyone!

/Jorja

Change can be scary. There’s no doubt about that.

But the thing is, sometimes change is exactly what you need. Starting over can be intimidating – but it brings you a healthy dose of fear, mixed with excitement and opportunity.

Uppsala was exactly the change I needed in my life. It worms its way into your heart so quickly that when it’s all over, it’s a shock to your system. I’ve already said a few goodbyes to friends I am not sure I will see again, at least not for a long time… I was warned before coming here that reverse-culture shock is a very real thing when exchange is over – and I think I am already feeling the effects.

As my time here draws to a close, I find myself reminiscing more and more on the memories I have made here and the lessons I have learned – and so I have compiled some of the most important ones in a list of tips for anyone heading to Uppsala in the future!

10 Things Exchange in Uppsala Has Taught Me:

1. Forget playing it safe: say yes to adventure more often. Take advantage of every moment you can, because it will be over before you know it. Spur-of-the-moment decision to bike into the middle of a forest at night in search of one of the reputable Swedish forest raves? Why not! Be spontaneous – you’ll be surprised by the incredible adventures you’ll have.
2. Talk to your Swedish floor mates, and don’t give up after any initial awkward encounters (Swedes can be a bit reserved with strangers)… because who knows, they might just become some of your closest friends.
3. No matter the different social or cultural backgrounds of all the people you’ll meet, you will always find people who get you – people who’ve been through similar experiences and with whom you truly connect. It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let it isolate you! You will make friends who love you for who you are – sometimes you just have to pluck up the courage to talk to a stranger. What you need to remember is that we’re all here for the same reason, and we’re all in the same boat – everyone is looking to make friends!
4. Plan adventures with your exchange friends. If you’re a travel bug, do it with the friends you find here in Sweden: it’s an easy way to make memories you will always remember in new places, and an even better way to get to know each other.
5. Visit Sweden. Get to know the country by traveling to places such as Stockholm, Sigtuna, Gotland, Abisko… Sweden has so much to offer – don’t forget to explore the country you’re living in while planning your trips!
6. Don’t forget that Uppsala is only your temporary home. You shouldn’t feel like you have to be constantly planning trips just because others are. The best way to feel comfortable here and make the most of it is to make sure you spend time getting to know the people here and remain involved with activities going on in Uppsala. While I highly recommend traveling if it’s an opportunity you get, you will have a harder time making very close, permanent friends here if you are always gone. You should also absolutely not feel pressured to spend money on travels if you don’t want to or are concerned about costs: Uppsala is a lively, quaint place and you will love every second you are there whether or not you travel throughout the semester.
7. You need so much less than you think you do when you move away – don’t over-pack. Moving away for six months is a great way to practice living efficiently. I arrived with a small carry-on suitcase, a backpack, and a box mailed to me with my shoes and clothes for warmer days – and I still felt like I had too much at times! Furthermore, you will almost definitely end up bringing back purchases you made while here in Sweden. Pack smart.
8. The nations are a wonderful way to be involved in the campus environment and meet new people – you will undoubtedly hear this many times, but I can’t stress it enough. Go to the nations! Whether it’s for fika, dancing, studying, or working a shift, you will be so glad you did it.
9. Budgeting – if you haven’t had a lot of experience doing this at home, you most certainly will have to learn to do it here. Sweden is not cheap, and your bank account will empty faster than you expect it to. Make sure to sit down every now and then and look at your activities and travels and plan everything efficiently. Being involved around Uppsala can have its expenses: it does sometimes mean opening your wallet for events like fika, entrance fees on club nights, gasques, gym membership, spin lessons… you name it. Plus, budgeting is a life skill – may as well learn it now!
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be in terms of classes, sickness, mental health, logistical questions, Swedish culture, navigating the city… you can always find someone to help you out in Uppsala. I highly recommend signing up for the International Buddy Program – not only do you get an automatic friend, but they will patiently help you with all of your mishaps. Full-time Swedish students are also a great resource –if you want the best tips, they have them!

While uprooting your life can seem frightening, it’s one of the best decisions you will ever make. Enjoy every second, because you will miss it when it’s suddenly over. Coming here is so worth it – don’t hold back!

/Gabrielle

My room looks like a natural disaster has hit. Maybe a tornado, if tornados were made of winter clothes, English books, never-used rain boots, and postcards from half a dozen countries. And in the middle of it all sits my trusty blue suitcase, which seems to have mysteriously shrunk over the past semester.

I remember a similar scene five months ago, when I was packing to come to Uppsala. I googled “Swedish fashion” at least twice a day, trying to figure out which of my clothes were cool and European enough to bring (in my opinion: very few). I stuffed my suitcase full of running shoes, shampoo bottles, room decorations, and a bunch of other things I either didn’t need or could have easily bought in Uppsala. So, whether you are preparing for a semester abroad or starting your degree, here are a few dos and don’ts to help with your packing for Sweden.

Do:

• Pack some fancy clothes (and a floor length dress or suit jacket if possible!). The nations love to hold gasques and other formal events, and you’ll save a lot of money if you don’t need to buy a new outfit
• Bring a power bar if you’re from outside of Europe. You’ll need an adapter to plug in your electronics, but if you bring a power bar or cube, you can charge multiple things from one adapter (*I’m not sure this is the greatest idea from an electrician’s point of view, but it’s worked for me so far!)
• Visit second hand shops when you arrive. If you’ve forgotten something, or want to buy some decorations for your room, these are probably the cheapest option (like, even cheaper than Ikea) and they have lots of cool stuff. Myrorna and Erikshjälpen are both great stores
• Look around your room before you go shopping. The previous occupant might have left useful things behind that you won’t have to go and buy. My room came with blankets, a small heater, and coat hangers. Thank you to the former resident of room 511!

Don’t:

• Pack extra makeup or shampoo. Sweden has all the brands you’re used to back home, and these things will eat up your precious 23 kg weight allowance. Bring travel sized bottles if you want to have a shower as soon as you arrive, but that’s all
• Bring too many shoes. The eternal question: What kind of shoes do you pack when traveling? My answer, after packing way too many myself: Sturdy boots for fall/winter/spring, a pair of fancy shoes for formal occasions, running shoes, and one pair of everyday shoes. That’s all
• Worry about looking good when it’s cold outside! And whether you’re coming for one semester or a couple years, it will get cold. Forget about your fashionable-but-useless light sweaters and instead pack thick, warm layers to make it through the colder months
• Forget about warm weather, either! The tricky part about packing for Sweden is preparing for all four seasons at once. Bring your wool socks and sweaters (see above), but don’t forget your shorts and summer dresses, either. Try to pack a little bit of everything so you’re ready for the unpredictable weather

For a bit of international insight, I asked my friends about how they packed for Sweden:

Is there anything you wish you brought with you but didn’t?

“Vegemite! I wish I brought unique foods from Australia to share with people, because they always ask what certain things taste like… and it’s a fun way to entertain people I guess!” – Linda, Australia

“I wish I brought some cold medicine with me. At home you can buy it at a grocery store or whatever, but in Sweden you need to see a doctor and get a prescription for most medicine. You don’t need to pack a whole pharmacy but it never hurts to be prepared,” – Caleb, USA

Is there anything you packed that you’re glad you brought?

“Since I wasn’t sure if I could ever feel at home in my Flogsta room when I first entered it, I was really glad that I brought some decoration stuff from home like some colourful lanterns or a big, thick scarf which I put on my wall, and also so many pictures… And I brought a warm blanket which reminds me of home!” – Lea, Germany

“I’m happy I brought so many pictures of my friends and family with me. It made me feel more at home, and made my room look a lot cozier with something hanging on the wall,” – Michelle, Canada

It’s always hard to image squeezing all your favourite things into a suitcase, but don’t panic if you forget something – or bring so much stuff that you struggle to pull your suitcase through the airport (that was me). Happy packing!

/Erika

Living in Flogsta equals many things. In the mornings you join the biking crowd in the run to the University. Midday, you search for free washing machines as the possibility of finding one is the highest. In the evening you carefully step outside and listen where the nearest party is happening. However, at any time, your eyes scroll the surroundings looking for white-orange fluff. Ingefära, local celebrity, took over Uppsala’s Facebook groups quite a time ago and stayed there for good. Despite having his own page, selfies with the ginger cat still pop up in notifications, and well, we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit his home. This is how we met two computer science students in one of Flogsta low houses.

When you first walk toward Ingefära´s home in the Flogsta low houses you will notice a kitty ladder leading toward the apartment from the outside. Clever way for him to get safely back home after roaming the neighbourhood for days. That is also one of the reasons that he got so famous around here. Ingefära is probably the most social cat you will ever meet. According to his owners he just likes to follow people everywhere. You can often see him inside the high houses just chilling in someone’s kitchen or popping in to check out the loudest parties. No wonder that people often think he is lost and post pictures on Flogsta Facebook groups to help him get back to the his owners. Even after most people has been informed that this behaviour is just part of his amazing personality and he is very much not lost they still kept on posting pictures. It became a source of pride to be blessed by Ingefära´s presence and one must document such honor! At one point the groups were so spammed with pictures of Ingefära that his owners simply had to make his own page.

You never know when Ingefära decides to check on your party!

When he does not explore everything that Flogsta has to offer he lives his calm life in Flogstavägen with Linn, Kristoffer and their roommates. His original owner Lukas is on adventure of his own in South America keeping an eye on Ingefäre over the ocean. Even Ingefära´s origin is tight to Flogsta. He was born one and a half years ago to a cat belonging to the previous owner of that flat he is currently occupying. Nobody expected him to be the most beloved and famous cat in Uppsala but now that he is Linn and Kristoffer are joking about making some merchandise with him. And to be honest, if someone was selling Ingefära t-shirts I would already own three.

Of course what is high houses residents little orange blessing can be a bit of a hustle for his owners. Ingefära´s adventures can take him to quite unexpected places once he took it trip in a bus once, somehow got all the way to the hospital, another time he got found Stenhagens pet store where he hang out in until someone could pick him up. Thanks to non-functional chip he also got himself into a shelter. Thankfully, the good people of Flogsta are always here to help and take good care for their favourite feline. Just few weeks ago Ingefära took the Valborg celebrations a bit too seriously and disappeared for almost two weeks. That was untypical even for him as he usually get back to eat every two our so days. He got his owners quite worried. However, shortly after them posting about this Flogsta residents were able to track him day by day for the whole lost period and get him safely home! What a way to get your faith in humanity restored.

Now you might be wondering: “What I am supposed to do when I meet this glorious cat? Are there any dos and don’ts?” Well yes and no. Ingefära´s owners are pretty chill about him meeting all of his fans. So letting him chill at your place, taking pictures or rubbing his belly is totally fine. However, even though it might be very tempting, you should not keep him for too long or feed him too much. The more people feed him around Flogsta the less likely he is to go and check what his bowl at home has in store. If you decide to give him a little snack, you might want to know that he does not really love vegetarian food!

Some stretching is an absolute must after spending a day in the high houses!

So next time when you cycle home in the middle of the night and you see a fast moving orange ball you can keep calm knowing that you are not hallucinating but you were merely very lucky to get a bit of precious Ingefära´s attention. Now you just need to hope that you have enough battery in your phone to take at least twenty selfies out of which at least one of them will have him not blurred in movement.

/Lucie & Adrianna

They say when in Rome do as the Romans do, so here are a dozen do’s and don’ts you need to learn as you come to Sweden.

1. Observe the 1-meter bus stop rule

Swedes in particular have space rules. While at the bus stop, it’s hard to find people next to each other unless they are couples or friends. So when you are at the bus stop or even sitting on a bench or inside the bus, make sure to keep the 1-meter rule and look for an empty seat.

2. Do not cut the queue line

Swedes do not line up in a queue but everyone knows the order. While at the bank, post office, bus station, train station and entertainment facilities make sure to look for a ticket number for the queue and it will be considered extremely rude if you cut or jump the line.

3. Do not call unless it’s an emergency

Most people in Sweden prefer texting over calling. It’s easier for one to say yes or no over text than over a phone call. This is one way of people avoiding confrontation unless it’s an extreme emergency, then you can call.

4. Do not pay or pick up the tab for someone

While in Sweden, it’s common for the men and women to pay for their tabs be it at any social place. Everyone considers themselves independent, especially the ladies, so it may seem polite to pay for her but don’t impose that on her.

5. Always say “tack “(thank you) after offered any help

“Tack” is the first Swedish word you need to be familiar with as this means thank you. Always say “tack” to show a sign of appreciation after offered any kind of help.

6. Handshakes or hugs on meeting someone

When it’s your first  time meeting someone, a handshake is mostly the accepted means of greetings. A hug is usually acceptable if it’s the second time you are meeting the person or if you both know each other.

7. Always be on time

Swedes hate it when someone is late. It is also considered rude if you are late and failed to inform them you would be late earlier. So it’s better to be 5 minutes early, before the agreed time.

8. Do not be the first or the last in starting tasks

It’s common in Sweden for people not to be the first to start something or the last to finish, be it tipping, eating or doing any other thing. It’s mostly considered a sign of bad luck. WEIRD, I KNOW.

9. Do not interrupt someone when they are speaking

It’s considered extremely rude to cut someone off when they are speaking and they haven’t finished speaking. So be cool and wait for your chance to speak.

10. Avoid eye contact when in public places

It’s considered extremely weird and creepy to stare and make eye contact with people in public place and to make the matters worse you don’t know them.

11. Do not speak loudly while on phone

While in public places and you have to pick up a phone call, it will be considered rude to speak in a loud tone. Make it a point to speak in a tone that does not alert everyone.

12. Keep quiet while at the cinema or theater

While at the theater or cinema, it will be considered rude to start talking or making phone calls while its silent and everyone is watching a movie. Excuse yourself and go out if you need to make a phone call or talk.

/Jackson

ICA is one of the grocery store chains in Sweden, and arguably the most popular amongst students. During your first few days in Uppsala as you begin to settle in, you’ll probably get hungry, and need to make your very first trip to your neighbourhood ICA.

My first few trips to ICA were a lot like a game of jeopardy, I wasn’t sure what I was going to come home with, and it took a few tries until I got it right. ICA Folkes Livs in Rackarberget was my first experience with grocery shopping Sweden. One of the first things you see when you walk in is a colourful wall of candy, or as Swedes call them godis. I thought ok well if Swedes love sweets so much living here won’t be hard at all. As you turn the corner, and approach the refrigerator section that is when things got a little more challenging. Since everyone in Sweden speaks exceptional English, this is when the language really hit me. I found myself taking 10 minutes just to pick out some butter, and milk just because there were about a million options. Google translate, and currency converters became my best friends during every grocery trip. Since the store is so narrow, and busy, people were trying to squeeze by me, I got a little overwhelmed and decided to try out a game of jeopardy. I just grabbed items that looked the most familiar based on the pictures, and few Swedish words I knew, and hoped for the best. For the most part it turned out pretty well but for others not so much; for instance I came home with rice pudding instead of yoghurt. Most yoghurt in Sweden comes in tetra packs much like the milk containers instead of the individual packs I’m used to back home so I figured how could that possibly be yoghurt, and opted for what turned out to be rice pudding. A friend of mine accidently ended up buy filmjölk or sour milk for her morning cereal. Just ask any international, and their guaranteed to have a great grocery story.

Another challenge I faced was the prices. One Canadian dollar is nowhere near one Swedish krona. Dividing by 7 was a challenging task, and I ended up just using a conversion app. It took a while to get used to what the Swedish krona system actually meant as when I read some of the prices, I wondered how on earth could milk ever cost $40?! Why is does my total come to $150 when I only purchased a few things?!… right this is the Swedish krona we’re talking about, and in my mind I thankfully just saved a lot of money.

Luckily in Sweden, grocery shopping is fantastic for people who are lactose intolerant or have other dietary restrictions. Two of my friends are lactose intolerant, and they have so many milk, yogurt, and ice cream options compared to back home in Canada. Another friend of mine is allergic to peanuts, and found the phrase “kan innehålla” meaning “may contain” a very helpful phrase.

One of my greatest tips when grocery shopping is don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s normal to want to feel that sense of belonging, and try to be as Swedish as possible when you first arrive but Uppsala has many international students who are all in the same position. The swedes are beyond helpful when you ask them which will make your experience a little easier.

/Michelle

Ahhh yes, Rackarbergsgatan. Also known as Rackarberget (if you’re referring to the area that it’s in, pronounced “racka-berry-it”), “Racka-something” (if you’re an exchange student who has just arrived and have no idea how to pronounce that beast of a word), “Rackies” (if you’re Australian), or just plain “Racka” (when you’ve given up).

Location:
Hands down, the best thing about Rackarberget is the location. Here’s about how long it takes me to get to the important places:

And one of the best things that I’ve just recently discovered about Rackarberget is its proximity to Ekonomikum park. It’s a nice open field with a lot of room to picnic with friends and soak up some sun, and it’s where a good portion of Valborg takes place. This ended up being super convenient during Valborg for me and my friends, because we could just use my room as a sort of home base for the weekend. My friends came over in the morning and brought all the things they would need for the day (food, drinks, extra layers of clothes) and we just brought what we needed to each event, since it’s much closer to the city center compared to Kantorsgatan and Flogsta, where they live.

Corridors:

Of course, the downside of Rackarberget is that you have to share the bathroom and shower. Some corridors in Rackarbergsgatan house five people, and others have seven, like mine. You’d think that sharing a bathroom and shower with six others would be a disaster, but it actually works out just fine. We’re all on our own schedules, so it hasn’t really been an issue.

As for cleaning, we just rotate chores each week, like cleaning the bathroom/shower, taking out the trash, tidying the kitchen etc.

The kitchen:

Big window, nice lighting during the day, and pretty well stocked with cooking necessities, like a coffee maker, toaster, pots and pans and such. We share our utensils and most of our dishes, and then have a cabinet to keep our personal food. Sometimes our schedules will clash when cooking, since there’s only four stovetops and one oven, and most people eat around the same times. But it hasn’t been that big of a deal.

One thing that I don’t really like about the corridors in Rackarbergsgatan though, is that the kitchen is a bit small if you want to have more than four people sitting and eating at the table. And on top of that, there’s really no communal living space where we can have a couch or something, like there is in Flogsta. Because of that, there’s not really any place where everyone in the corridor can just hang out. So, most of us just end up going to our separate rooms at the end of the day or after cooking dinner, which can be nice after a long day, but it would be nice to have the option of just hanging out somewhere besides your own room.

Rooms:
The rooms are pretty decent though, especially given that it’s on the less expensive end relative to the other residence buildings. I do have my own sink, which is convenient, ample closet space, and a desk and chair, shelves, armchair, bed, and my favorite part– the big window. It’s not the most spectacular view or anything, but I love the fact that it lets a lot of light in, and fresh air too if I want to open it. But the view’s not bad either. Here’s a picture I snapped during sunset, while the days were still long:

As for decorating the room: at first, I really didn’t feel all that motivated to put anything on the walls, since I knew I would be leaving in five months and didn’t want to spend money on things that I would have to get rid of at the end of my stay. But then the plain walls got boring. So I decided to put up some of the free maps that I had gotten from my travels, and just other small, barely sentimental things that I had accumulated and would probably get rid of anyway, like ticket stubs, receipts for train tickets, etc. It added some nice color to my room, and since I put everything up chronologically, it turned out to be a nice way to document my time abroad.

Overall:
Overall, I’m really happy I ended up in Rackarbergsgatan. I don’t even remember if it was my first choice when I listed my preferences in the housing application, since it was all a blur and all the names were so long, but I am really satisfied. The location is great, it’s not boring, but it’s not too rowdy either. It’s definitely not Flogsta, but that’s also nice too because, well, it’s not Flogsta 😉
/Su Fang

Accommodation is right up there with residence permit (if required) as a high priority subject in the checklist of an international student. The accommodation situation in Uppsala is pretty grim with long queues and waiting lists. I was lucky enough to be offered accommodation by the Uppsala University Housing Office that made my work a lot easier. The place I have been calling home for the past 9 months is the Klostergatan-16 Student accommodation. This student residential area was a hotel until 2015 after which it got converted into a modern housing area. Klostergatan 16 is quite an anomaly in the student housing scenes of Uppsala which are dominated by corridor style residential areas. The biggest attraction though of this place is its location which is the best one can get in Uppsala.

1. Location:
Klostergatan 16 is located in central Uppsala near the Fyris River. Being in centrum, it is very well connected to the other parts of the city. Almost all busses stop at the various bus stations located nearby ( Stadshuset , Dragarbrunn or Stora Torget). Moreover it is only about ≈ 700 m. from the Uppsala central train station. Centrum is the hub of Uppsala with shopping centres, restaurants, movie theatres and banks and this makes Klostergatan’s location a flawless .There are 2 stores of ICA, the popular supermarket chain, located in close proximity. Willys, a usually cheaper alternative to ICA is present a kilometre and a half away. All leading banks have their branches nearby. The most exciting thing about Klostergatan’s location is that it lies within a kilometre of all the 13 Student nations.

#[Pro Tip 1] : Living in centrum is enviable  and a masterstroke

2. Rooms:
Most rooms including mine are about 23 square meters in area. Each room has a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave and basic kitchen equipments (plates, cups, glasses, cooking vessels, cutlery, microwave safe bowl etc.). The kitchenette is meant only for heating and light (normal) cooking .Heavy cooking or deep frying will trigger the nearby fire alarm. This fire alarm is directly connected to the fire brigade, which means that if there is an alarm due to heavy cooking, the tenant will have to pay the cost. There is a common kitchen on the ground floor which is fully equipped and can be used for heavy cooking when necessary .Initially I was a bit paranoid about triggering the alarm. But slowly I found out that if one is a bit careful with not overcooking/burning the food (that generates a lot of smoke), it is absolutely fine. The rooms are furnished with a bed and a mattress (including pillow and quilt), chairs, one table, wardrobe, curtains and ceiling lamps. Basic cleaning equipment is provided by the landlord. There are also common vacuum cleaners which can be used by the tenants.

# [Pro Tip 2]: Things one should bring: 1) Bed linen 2) Ethernet cable 3) router 4) microwave safe containers

#Note: Heating, Internet and Electricity are included in the rent

This is what my room looks like

3. Other Amenities:

3.1 Laundry: The laundry room with fully functional washing machines and dryers are located on the ground floor. All the washing machines have an automatic detergent dispenser (So no need to buy your own). The laundry washing stations can be booked in advance via an electronic booking system.

The laundy room in all its glory

3.2 Common kitchen: The common kitchen like the laundry can be booked using an electronic booking system. It is located on the ground floor and can be used for extensive cooking. It is even equipped with an automatic dishwasher.

The common kitchen has 9 individual cooking stations

3.3 Common areas: The building houses a cafe of its own. Yes you read that right..! It is managed by the Uppsala University housing office which has its office next to it. The cafe is connected to a common room where one can chill, relax, eat, study or have a party. This is equipped with free Wi-Fi. Besides this, the 2^nd floor of the building also has a garden.

Common room

2nd floor garden

Green Cup cafe

3.4 Bicycle store area: The bike storage area is located in the basement. It is basically a cage like structure which needs a common code for entry.

Bike Parking/store area

3.5 Gymnasium: The building also houses a moderately equipped free gym for the residents.

#[Pro Tip 3]: Though the gym is small , it is never crowded/congested

Gymnasium for the tenants

3.6 Garbage room: Household waste after segregation (organic, nonorganic combustible, Glass etc) is dumped in individual drums (of each category) at the garbage room located on the ground floor.

4. Pros & Cons Analysis

/Arindam

New and old students planning to come to study in Sweden Universities; to make your stay as comfortable as possible below are the 10 essential survival kits by me the Time traveler and Sunset chaser you need to have before and after coming to Sweden (Not arranged in any order of importance)

1. Documents to have
– Passport
This serves as an identification card for you to transact some of the required transactions such as paying rent or sending money via western union.

– Academic papers
Have all you papers with you and kept safely you may need to produce them in case of verification or job requirement

– Residence permit card
This you will get before coming to Sweden from the migration office in your country and this together with your passport will help you to board an airplane.

– Fee statement
If you are a scholarship student then you don’t need to bother yourself with this, but for the fee paying students you need to make sure you have paid atleast your first semester fees to be allowed entry into Sweden as part of migration rules and campus admission.

2. Clothing and shoes
Sweden can get quite cold, dressing for the weather is very important. All the necessary clothing can of course be bought in Sweden, but if you already own some good winter clothes, it can be wise to bring them.

Winter clothes:
– woolen socks and coats
– gloves
– good winter shoes
– skin tights

3. Tech stuff (check point 8 where to buy all this stuff and more)
– Mobile phone and a mobile number
You need to have a good smart phone with WiFi enabled and a mobile number that will work in Europe. Lycamobile offers very cheap UK and international calls to Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Make sure you have Google maps as this will make your movement easier from point a to b.

– Laptop or tablet
A good working laptop or tablet is good as this will make your work easier as internet connectivity is essential. If you cannot afford one don’t worry as the universities have well equipped computer labs and so you will have access to them.

– L.A.N cable or internet cable and a Router
Your will also need to buy a router and the router to be functional you will need a L.A.N cable to connect to it, if you are lucky some rooms have the L.A.N cable.

– Two pin plug for the European plug
make sure to have a plug that will fit well with the European sockets present in Sweden. This plugs can be bought as well here but if you have one come with it.

4. Personal/coordination number and Bank account
A personal or coordination number is a tax number which you will get from the skatteverket (check point 8) or Tax office. To get this you need to carry your passport, residence permit card and university letter of acceptance.
Opening a bank account is important or if you have one its okay as this bank account number will be important if you are planning to work part time to get paid through. To open a bank account, you need your passport, Swedish ID and university letter of acceptance. You need a bank account and a tax number if you are planning to work in Student nation.

5. A registered nation and nation card
Currently we have 13 student nations in Uppsala and among them my Nation is V-dala Nation. (http://www.v-dala.se/en/) The reasons may vary with people but to me it is the best since it is student friendly, holds awesome parties, dinners and has a lot of part time jobs for students. All you need is to visit the nation and get registered as a nations member and a wait for your nations ID card.
This card will allow you access to any nation, so you need to have a student’s nation card from any of the 13 nations to be able to visit any of the nations. The cost of registering for the nations card vary from one nation to the other as from 200 to 300 kroners.

6. Bicycle or bus card
A bicycle is the common means of transport in Uppsala as opposed to the bus. A bus card costs around 500 kroners per month while a second hand bicycle will cost less than 1000 kroners and it will serve you for up to 3 years or more with minimal service required. Go to point 8 for sights to follow to get second hand bicycles or a bus card. Always check by test driving your bike before buying. If you decide to buy a bike remember to have a good lock, back and front lights. Finally remember to read the rules regarding road usage by bikers as hefty fines can be charged upon you if caught using a faulty bike on the roads of up to 500 to 1000 kroners by police.

7. Housing facilities
Housing in Sweden for students is the hardest part if you don’t plan for it in advance. However Uppsala University offers housing to fee-paying Master’s, Bachelor’s students and most exchange students.
So you need to make proper arrangement for housing and if you plan to have your own arrangement on housing you can check housing links on Facebook (point 8).
The rent for housing from one estate location to the other with the lowest ranging as from (3000-5500 kroners). You can also look at the Facebook links in point 8 where people usually let out apartments which are fairly cheap.
Every housing facility has its own terms of contract, take time to read though as they contain details from the time required to pay your rent and issuing of vacation notice.

8. Website and Facebook links
Bus card:
uppsalastudentkar.se/buses

Flea markets for Second hand clothes and stuff:
redcross.se/uppsala
destinationuppsala.se/flea-markets

Electronic stuff:
mediamarkt.se
blocket.se

Buying a bike and other stuffs:
Facebook: Buy & Sell in Uppsala
Facebook: sell/buy/give away
Facebook: Buy and Sell items

Private Housing:
Uppsala University: Accomodation
Facebook: Uppsala Housing
Facebook: Uppsala Housing (2)

Details on Student nations:
Uppsala University: The student nations

Tax agency:
The Swedish tax agency

Part time jobs at Student Nations:
Gotlands Nation
Gästrike-Hälsinge nation
Göteborgs nation
Kalmar nation
Norrlands nation
Smålands nation
Stockholms nation
Södermanlands-Nerikes nation
Uplands nation
Värmlands nation
Västgöta nation
Västmanlands-Dala nation
Östgöta nation

9. Places to shop
There are a lot of places to shop in Sweden but if you are looking for second hand stuff that are really nice from clothes, shoes and electronics you can go to the open market in centrum and some of the red cross centers (check point 8). Remember to have with you some essentials like stationery and other bathroom essentials if you have room to carry them.

10. University login account
A university login account is the most important as this will ensure that you register for courses, see you schedule for studies and results regarding courses will be posted here. This is a must to ensure your smooth flow in University life. Get in touch with the administration of your campus to get your account login details or check the university website for more details.

“change is difficult but often essential to survival”

/Jackson

Uppsala hosts many events during the year but Valborg is extra special for all students. In this magnificent event, there are numerous activities to do and watch, being Forsränningen (River Rafting) one of the most expected ones either for does active in the raft run or for the spectator. Firstly, it is not really easy to get a raft once the selection is made by a lottery, but 120 lucky teams get to experience it each year. The building starts on Saturday, one week before Valborg (The River Festival), and it goes on until the following Friday, when you should have everything ready.

Building the raft
My friends and I (Frida (team captain), Feli, Fine and myself) amazingly got a raft and for all of us this is the first time doing it. We chose a Harry Potter theme and decided to make the Hogwarts Express (we named our raft “The Raft That Must Not Be Named” (I know, sounds great!)).

For those who are building rafts for the first time I guess it can be a surprise what you will find at the building area on the first day (you don’t have to go on the first day if you don’t want to as you can start any time during the week as long as you finish by Friday). Of course, everyone knows that the building happens outside at one of Uppsala University’s building grounds, which means that if it is raining, snowing, hailing, sun and blue sky or any other weather condition possible, you must find a way to do this (Wednesday 26/04 had all the conditions mentioned = nightmarish). Then, you arrive there on your first day and check out the equipment you have to work with: three different sizes and formats of Styrofoam, three 3,60 meters’ pieces of wood and a bottle of glue (that is not really effective when you want to glue Styrofoam on Styrofoam, seriously). Additionally, you may get saws, nails, hammers and other useful stuff that you can work with.

Now come the tricky part, how can you use your pieces to fit the design you want? Well, starting with drawing your ideas on the Styrofoam might be a promising idea, because them you can see what pieces will be best everything that you want to do and what material you will have left (at least that is what we did and it worked). After that, you can start cutting the Styrofoam and shaping the way you want. For us it started okay on Saturday, we managed to create a good frame for our base Styrofoam and the weather was nice even though it was cold. The next days were not that nice, it was raining and cold, seriously, how can you work with glue and paint when it is so wet? Not easy, sometimes you don’t, but we managed to cut and glue everything by Wednesday (the nightmarish day), but not with that glue I mentioned before because that doesn’t work well for that, so most teams buy foam glue that is really sticky and will get your pieces and details together (and it will leave you with really sticky hands, almost impossible to get off!!).

After getting your raft approved, you can start painting and that’s when you noticed that you have managed to put some nice stuff together. We did our painting on Thursday, which was the nicest day in the week as it was sunny and even though there was some hail, it wasn’t that much. Oh, and don’t forget to make some paddles (why sawing is so difficult?). WE DID IT!!

So, after a week of building on both bad and pleasant weather, we did manage to build our raft (I know, it looks amazing). Moreover, it is super cool to see all other teams working on their rafts creating amazing designs, and the friendly atmosphere with loads of people, tasty food, cotton candy, kanelbulle, music and more.

Today (Saturday) we will load the rafts to trucks for transportation to the starting line. Clearly, the anxiety for tomorrow just grows, the river water is around 4°C (super fun) and the chances to falling in are high. Can’t wait to get started.

/Mayra