What makes Sweden a great foreign study destination?

Are you thinking about studying in Sweden? There is a lot Sweden has in store for you when it comes to higher education. Sweden is one of Europe’s most popular study destinations. Currently, some 30,000 foreign students are studying in Sweden, making for a vibrant, international study environment. In this article you can find out more about why so many students choose Sweden as study destination. Take a look!

Develop important skills and reach your full potential

Swedish universities focus not only on group work but also on practical experience. Their master’s degree programs offer unique opportunities to turn theory into practice. Many programs also cooperate closely with the industry, offering students the possibility to mix study and practical work. This gives you distinct advantages over your peers when entering the job market. These skills are later required by your future employers who are looking for team players with practical experience.

Swedish universities will encourage you to discover and develop your true strengths and talents. The education system is student-centric and relations between students and teachers are informal. As a student in Sweden you’re expected to address your teachers by their first name.

Sweden has three universities in the top 100 and eleven in the top 500 of the 2010 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

What student unions can offer you

As a student in Sweden, you will have ample opportunity to make new friends. A good part of your social life will revolve around your student union. The union can often help you with finding accommodation and other practical matters.

Student unions are there to make every student’s stay as pleasant as possible: they provide accommodation, operate restaurants, cafés and bars, arrange parties with live bands, run sports programmes and organise orchestras and student theater groups.

Experience a culture of innovation

One of the world’s most modern countries, Sweden is the birthplace of many successful international corporations.

Innovative research at Swedish universities and companies has resulted in a number of successful inventions. Some examples are: the computer mouse, Bluetooth for internet mobility, the pacemaker, the ball bearing, the Tetra Pak beverage packaging system, the dialysis machine and internet applications such as the online music streaming service Spotify and the free internet calling service Skype.

Sweden has a number of large multinational corporations, such as telecom provider Ericsson, automotive companies Volvo and Scania, household appliances corporation Electrolux, bearing manufacturer SKF, and high-tech engineering groups Sandvik and Atlas Copco.

The deep-rooted creative environment has made Sweden a strong nation within design, fashion and music, with well-known international brands such as furniture giant IKEA and clothes retailer H&M. Sweden is also one of the largest music-exporting countries in the world.

…and what about the social life

Your options for leisure activities will depend on where you choose to study. Bigger cities and towns will naturally have more to offer than smaller ones. On the other hand, smaller cities may have resources not available to bigger cities, including opportunities for outdoor activities.

Where you choose to study will obviously depend on your personal preference. However Swedes tend to be active and sporting activities are popular among students. Sporting clubs and societies organize a wide range of activities on campus at most universities. Taking part in these activities is probably the best way to meet new people and take a break from studying.

If you would like to learn more about everyday life in Sweden, you should visit the website “Study in Sweden”.

This site incorporates a database of English-language degree programs, information about Sweden’s universities as well as practical facts concerning application procedures, scholarships, visas, accommodation and information for learning Swedish as a foreign language.

Visit “Study in Sweden” for more information.