Study in Sweden

The Swedish nature is spectacular and very untouched. Did you know that Sweden is one of the largest and least populated countries in Europe? Or that Lapland is the last real wasteland left in Europe? Or that there are tens of thousands of islands off Sweden’s long coastline? With Sweden’s large number of national parks, national and regional hiking routes and youth hostels, you can reach even the most remote parts of the country.

According to Countryaah, Sweden is Europe’s third largest country on the surface, but the population of approx. 10.4 million is relatively small. The Swedish landscape is very varied depending on which part of Sweden you visit. In the northern parts there are very large forests, lakes and fields. Here there are places where the sun never sets in the summer, but also places that in the winter can have up to -40 degrees. The central part of Sweden is the most populous – mainly around the capital Stockholm, which has 2.1 million inhabitants. Southern Sweden is relatively flat, and you can see kilometers of meadows and green cultivation.

Sweden is often ranked as one of the world’s best countries. It is a country with a good economy and large companies – such as IKEA, Volvo and H&M – that have put Sweden on the world map as an entrepreneurial community. Sweden also has great artists like ABBA, Roxette and Ace of Base and well-known athletes like Björn Borg, Anja Pärsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

CAPITAL CITY: Stockholm
LANGUAGE: Swedish
CURRENCY: Swedish kronor (SEK)
AREA: 450,295 km2
POPULATION: 9,875,378 (2016 estimate)

People and community

Most Swedes live in small villages, and although the towns are populous and modern, they retain their old charm with pockets of medieval streets and architecture. You may live throughout Sweden, but most host families live in the countryside or in small towns. The Swedes give personal freedom and responsibility, and your responsibility at home and at school reflects these values. Household chores are usually evenly distributed among family members.

Schooling

School in Sweden begins in mid-August and continues until mid-June. You go to school from kl. 8 to 15 or at. 16, although the schedule may vary. Your school plan is determined by your interests and the classes you have already taken. Whatever you focus on, you can expect to take Swedish, English and math.

In Sweden, compulsory schooling applies to all persons residing in Sweden.

Language

Swedish is the primary language in Sweden – it is one of Finland’s two official languages and one of the official languages of the EU. The Swedes are also good at English, as it has been a requirement in the school since 1849. Swedish is also strengthened by the Nordic language community, as Scandinavians use a Scandinavian language when speaking to each other. In total, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish are spoken by approx. 20 million people.

Food

The Swedish food culture today consists of a real smorgasbord of different topping and regional and local specialties such as spettekaka , Falukorv (sausage), saffranspannkaka och Renskav (sautéed reindeer). The classic national dishes such as köttbullar , filmjölk (fermented milk) and crispbread have now gained an international touch from e.g. Turkish, French, Italian and Mexican dishes, and the selection in the supermarkets has never been greater.