Friday, December 15, 2006

Must know if you want to study Sweden

Before i came to Sweden , I knew little about the educational system and standards. The only thing i knew about education in Sweden was that it was free for all immigrant students. That really boasted my willingness to further my studies in Sweden .I started asking myself who pays for our education? The answer was simple and it is the tax payers money. Sweden has one of the highest income tax in the world and that is why you as a foreign student can study in Sweden and only buy your books and pay you student association fee.

It is very interesting to see that in many universities in Sweden the programs are professionally oriented and on graduation you know where and what kind of job to look for.
I am saying this because i do not see why one should study a subject like history, geography, literature etc. in a university. Back in my country the single subject programs a very many in the universities and students graduate and cannot answer a simple question of what is your profession?

I am very impressed with the Swedish program anyway that is why they are amongst the top in the world when it comes to literacy and quality of life. I think students from developing countries who do not have the means to study in USA or England should apply to Sweden universities. If you have read this article and you are interested to study in Sweden ,you should consider the following things:-
  • The truth is, it is free but it is not really cheap to live in Sweden.
  • You have to really prepare yourself financially and do not think you can get a job to support your studies. That is far-fetch in Sweden as a foreign student. You can be lucky to get some shit job that the swedes do not want to do.
  • You have the right to work in Sweden when you are a student. If your stay is more than one year you will can get a social security number at the tax office (Skatteverket). Otherwise you will get a temporal number you can use to apply for jobs.
  • Scholarships are far fetched for immigrant students and if you are studying for a doctorate program you can get financial aid for your research if you apply
  • Student loans and allowance are only for Swedish students and immigrants that have a permanent resident permit in Sweden you fall in this category then, you can have the right to about 7000 to 8000 Swedish kronor a month.
  • You will always get a place to stay if you got money . Try to contact somebody from your home country or friend who lives in that town you are to go to.
  • The University authorities will always help you and you have to ask the right questions to get the right help.
  • Take advantage of open days in the university or company presentation days and make some good contacts and learn more.
  • Take the beginners Swedish language course. It is going to be helpful for you.

Here is a follow up of this post on the .Oppptunities after studying in Sweden

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for your wonderful analysis. i have been considering studying in Sweden and i will like to know how much it cost for living expenses like housing, feeding and stuffs like that.

Ngala said...

Hello snoppydon.thanks for your comments.i will love to reply about the details about expenses,houses etc but i do not know your email address.you can log into the blogg and leave me your email address.

Anthony said...

Hello Brother, i must start by saying you are very good in analysis. i have been considering moving to Sweden and i will like to know how much about living and working there. Hope to hear from you soon
anthony@yahoo.com

akoyoko said...

hi,i am so happy to visit your blog!dreamers like me need realistic people like you.you are so down-to-earth and the info that you provide are really helpful.
i am considering going to sweden for postgraduate studies in Kalmar but for now i have some worries about the bank certificate to be provide.they ask for money to be blocked and transferred...i am really confused.can you help me?
missj0nes@yahoo.fr,0 is zero.
your blog is really great,i hope you will respond.

Anonymous said...

hello bro,i am a student still in cameroon and i came acoss your site and will really wish to know some small information from you.i recently got my admission letter from a university in sweden for undergraduate studies and i deposited my complete documents at the consulate in douala some six weeks ago.up till now i have got no reply and i was told i was to be called after a month.the problem is my school started on the 3rd of september so please grand i am so afraid that i have been refused the visa.i am still not believin it so i will need your help for some clarifications.thanks once more.my add is khfadigaàyahoo.com.please i will be waiting to hear from you asap.thank you

Anonymous said...

hello bro,i am a student still in cameroon and i came acoss your site and will really wish to know some small information from you.i recently got my admission letter from a university in sweden for undergraduate studies and i deposited my complete documents at the consulate in douala some six weeks ago.up till now i have got no reply and i was told i was to be called after a month.the problem is my school started on the 3rd of september so please grand i am so afraid that i have been refused the visa.i am still not believin it so i will need your help for some clarifications.thanks once more.my add is khfadiga@yahoo.com.please i will be waiting to hear from you asap.thank you

Anonymous said...

Your blog contained just what I wanted; a first-hand experience.I have alot on my own into swedish schools.I won't have much stress wth living costs,......but however which city would u recommend in terms of lowest living cost and higher chance of availability of part-time jobs.

Anonymous said...

Your blog contained just what I wanted; a first-hand experience.I have alot on my own into swedish schools.I am in Nigeria.I won't have much stress wth living costs,......but however which city would u recommend in terms of lowest living cost and higher chance of availability of part-time jobs. You can reach me on ebx29@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Brother you have done a nice job to share this information with us thanks, I have some question if you can reply?
1-what about short courses if one can get admission what are the chances of getting visa?

2-what about if i get admission in four year program did i have to show money in bank for four years living expence or just for one year.
kindly reply
honestkarachi@gmail.com

swissbobo said...

Hello Good day i am obafemi lawal i have applied to study in sweden but i did not pass my toefl i am looking to apply for swedish as a foreign language and after that when i get there i will write another toefl and re apply for undergraduate course in english pls will this work for me and can i get the visa for the studies.

akoyoko said...

Hi there,

It is really amazing how things work,i was surfing on the net and come across your blog.I have to admit,you were the one who provide me much of the info I used to make my research before coming to sweden,eventhough we had some misunderstandings :) (but now reading my post again, I must admit that I wasn't clear enough).

Anyway,after going at the University of kalmar for for 10 months ,I am now in Uppsala attending SLU.

And I am happy to write again to you.To what I have seen since I am in Sweden,your blog is definately really helpful for anyone willing to come here and to any fresh arrivant as well as.

It is very rare to find people willing to ''give'' information here,which is a shame.

Wonderful blog,keep it going and your daughter is so pretty!!

miriam said...

Hi.

am deaf Kenyan, currently doing diploma in counseling psychology, Sweds is where i want to do my Degree or even MA, do you think people Deaf like me have opportunity to study in Sweds? reply on eddiemi2002@yahoo.com

Adewunmi said...

My name is adewunmi,a nigerian and graduate of Agric mgt and Extension from one of the leading polytechnic.So what is the possibility of getting admision for post graduate course in sweden and how is the visa processing and procedure like.visitmylittleprinceworld@yahoo.co.uk

victor said...

can i know the lowest cost of living in Sweden as a student