Mobility specification

Country:Sweden

Institution:Mid Sweden University

City:Östersund

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Education / Department of Special and Inclusive Education

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?neutral

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?Individual approach of teachers and friendly atmosphere throughout the study. In Sweden, the semester runs a little differently, not all subjects are fulfilled at the same time, but each has its own period. Therefore the exams do not exist at once, as a result it was more relaxed and the end of the semester was completely calm.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, at the beginning of our stay we were welcomed at Introduction Days where we were given information about our studies and Swedish culture and practical tips for the whole stay. We got to know other international students straight away, and subsequently the Swedes, thanks to the many student events that were on offer.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:12000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

Do you have any tips on how to save money?We got a lot of things for free: sports equipment (snowboard, skates, skis, longboard...) by a local rental company. Towards the end we saved money by going food shopping at Lidl, which was on the other side of town, but it was worth it. We always got some free snacks at student events. We didn't use the bus, the tickets were expensive, so only occasionally. You could walk everywhere. In the beginning we used secondhand shops instead of shops and Ikea, you can save a lot of money that way too.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?neutral

And what about transport outside the city?I've seen better

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Train tickets: the SJ app
Sundsvall bus ticket: Din Tur app
Public transport in Stockholm: app SL

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Lake Sidsjön: in winter you can ice-skate and ski on the slopes, in summer the place offers nice walks around the lake, a picnic spot, a place for jogging
Norra Berget lookout tower
Espresso House and Weyne's Coffee with wifi, both ideal for studying

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Take a bus to the island of Alnö, where there is a fishing village and a beach.

Share your best experience:You can't choose, but if you have the chance, I recommend a trip to Lapland. There are beautiful views of the mountains, we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, we went to see reindeer and the indigenous Sami people, and we also managed to get hardy in the national park.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane
Train

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Deku! I used it almost every day when I was homeschooling and cold, then for guests, or for picnics in the summer. I also recommend packing a sewing kit - needles and colored thread that we used to sew patches on student jumpsuits.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?I enjoyed winter as a little kid and the best memories I have are thanks to my friends who lived a minute away.