Things you need to know before coming to Linköping

This post is for the prospective and newly admitted students of Linköping University. There are certain questions which comes to one's mind before migrating to a new land. I would try giving as many basic and relevant information as possible about Life and Living in Linköping, which I hope would reduce your fear and anxiety of migration. :D

The basics::

1. Food & Living expenses: SEK 2000.00 (maximum)

2. Transportation expense: NIL. Everyone rides a bicycle over here.

3. University fee(s): SEK 400.00 (approx.) per semester.

**Jobs: Not many available, but everyone manages in finding one. And, yes, you can support your living with it. Expenses immediately upon landing and arrival at Linköping::

1. SIM card: SEK 50.00
2. Bus fare [Flygbuss] (Arlanda to Stockholm Central Station): SEK 100.00
3. Bus fare [Swebus] (Stockholm Centr. Station to Linköping): SEK 180.00
4. Bicycle (2nd hand) : SEK 500.00 (approx.)
5. Some basic food: SEK 100.00 - 150.00
6. House (single/shared room) rent: SEK 800.00 - 1500.00
7. Student Union Fee: SEK 300.00

Things to bring from your home country::

1. Good quality and nice looking T-Shirts [10 would be sufficient]
2. Good quality Jeans [Please don't bring loose/baggy jeans with drawings]
3. Good quality Jackets[1 for Winter and 1 for Summer]
4. Leather gloves and mufflers (scarfs) and warm inner wears
5. Sweaters or Pullovers [2 would be sufficient]
6. Cigarettes [only if you are a smoker. They are very expensive here :( ]
7. Mobile phone [SIM is very cheap over here]
8. A bag with laptop compartment. Please do not bring the one's that hangs over one shoulder, rather, bring one that is carried on your BACK.
9. USB Flash drive.
10. All the necessary items you can think of :D .

Last but not least, Linköping/Norrköping are two heavens on earth. You'll simply love this place, Trust Me.

Wish you all the best with your visa, ticket, shopping and packing. :D

Regards,
Zobi

Be aware of Facebook virus!!

Have your friend on Facebook posted a funny link? 'Watch out'- it could be about a virus that will infect your computer. Many students' PCs are becoming infected as they spend most of their free time in FB by watching out their friends' profile, video and pictures.

The infected computers automatically spread the virus using facebook. It hacks your Facebook password and shares the virus link to your friends. Experienced has suggested that if your PC is infected then change your FB pasword to prevent spreading.


NB: the photo used here is from today's SvD
reff> http://www.svd.se/naringsliv/it/facebook-virus-sprids-vidare_1982591.svd

Ever highest number of students signed up for the courses at Swedish University

Almost 300,000 students signed up for courses at Swedish universities in 2009 - the highest number ever, according to new statistics published on Monday.

Swedish institutions of higher education furthermore reported a record surplus of two billion kronor ($280 million) for 2009, according to the National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket) report.

The agency has collated data from all of Sweden's state universities, as well as Chalmers University of Technology and Jönköping University, and found that student numbers have increased at almost all seats of learning.

"A large generation of school leavers and the difficult economic climate have probably had a significant impact on the substantial increase. This will probably hold even after this year," agency head Anders Flodström said in a statement.

Aside from the record student numbers, 2009 was also a bumper year in terms of financial performance for Sweden's universities. The sector reached the ceiling for state financing for the first time in several years, with research funding also outstripping cost rises.

The combined surplus came in at two billion kronor, with Lund University reporting the highest surplus of 450 million kronor. Several more universities reported surpluses of over 200 million kronor while Växjö and Halmstad were among those reporting a deficit.

(The Local news)

about 40 scholarships will be offered

The students who applied in the academic year of 2010/ 2011 in Sweden form Albania, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Kenya, Kosovo, Mali, Moçambique, Moldova, Rwanda, Serbia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are eligible for the scholarship.

Only about 40 scholarships will be offered for the academic year 2010/2011. The quantity of giving scholarship is very poor in respect to the number of students applying for the study in Sweden from different countries. It seems to me a little drop of water in a desert. By the way, after a long pause Bangladeshi students are also included in this SI scholarship scheme.

The scholarship amount is SEK 8000 per month and the scholarship is only awarded for programs starting in fall semester 2010.

The on-line application form for scholarships is now available and will be open until March 11, 2010. Follow the link for more information.

No more free education in Sweden

Swedish news paper The Local reported that the foreign students, who will be introduced in the autumn 2011, will have to pay for their education. This is announced by Swedish government on 19th February in the morning.

According to that report, university and higher education minister Tobias Krantz says, the government will present its proposition to parliament later on Friday.

"We want to compete in the international education market on the quality of Sweden's education system, rather than simply because Sweden's education is free of charge," Krantz said.

"Sweden is one of the easiest countries in the world to apply for a university place, with a large number of foreign students and high number of online courses - but many of these don't complete their studies."

Krantz conceded that numbers may fall initially.

"In the short term it is reasonable to expect that numbers will fall, but Sweden is a knowledge nation, we have strong English skills and many courses are held in English; I am convinced that in the longer term we will continue to attract large numbers of foreign students to Sweden," Krantz said.

The minister confirmed that the government was not at this stage able to specify the level of the new fees but noted as a basic principle that the fees should cover the costs of education provision.

"We will come back with information over how high the charge will be, I can not state how high it is today. It will vary depending on education and place of learning," Krantz said.

According to The Local news last May, Anders Steinwall at the education ministry said each university would be able to decide its own fees, but added that the estimated average would amount to 70,000 to 80,000 kronor ($9,500 to $11,000) per year.

In the contrary, government also announced that two scholarship systems will be introduced.

The first scholarship system, worth 30 million kronor ($4 million) per annum, will be directed at students in the 12 countries with which Sweden holds long-term aid agreements.

The second, amount to 60 million kronor per annum from 2012, will be available for exceptional students.

The fees will be introduced for students from countries outside of the EU/EEA area.