Sweden is one of the most popular countries in Europe for an Erasmus+ or Turing internship abroad. In addition to an exciting work placement, there are breathtaking landscapes and great cities to explore. If you are currently looking for a destination for your Erasmus+ or Turing internship, you have come to the right place. This piece will give you that important first impression of the beautiful of Sweden. To help you organise your Erasmus+ or Turing internship, we have summarised all the important information for Sweden here.
Located in the middle of Scandinavia between Norway, Finland, and Denmark, it is the largest country in Scandinavia with its 10 million citizens. Sweden is very varied and offers something for everyone, whether hiking through the mesmerising landscape, visiting the museums in Stockholm or taking a kayak down one of the many rivers. Sweden is divided into three regions: Gotaland, Svealand and Norrland.
The nature is exquisitely beautiful in Sweden and there is an abundance of flora and fauna to admire in Gotland and Öland. Throughout Sweden you can see many forests, rivers, and lakes with diverse wildlife and due to the country’s environmental regulations, animals such as moose, lynx or wolves are on the rise again.
Sweden's capital Stockholm spreads over 14 islands. That's why the metropolis has also been nicknamed the "Venice of the North." Around 1.8 million people live here, one fifth of the Swedish population. Stockholm is the seat of government and parliament and also the financial and economic center of Sweden.
Malmö has a high attraction and tourist significance for Sweden: Especially bathing fans and cyclists get their money's worth here. Cyclists benefit from the many large squares, wide streets and plenty of open space in the city center. Malmö is one of the 10 most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Bathing enthusiasts can take a dip in the middle of the city: The sandy beach Ribersborgsstranden is located on the Öresund.
Gothenburg is traditionally a very lively working-class and port city. Sweden's major trade fairs and congresses are often held here, as well as the big concerts and sporting events.
If you prefer to travel around the city, you can either spend some time in Stockholm or in one of the many other cities. In addition to Gothenburg or Malmö, there are also lots of smaller port cities, which are always worth a trip.
Enjoy the lakes with their smaller and larger islands, explore them by canoe and see the enchanted river meadows and deep green glittering forest lakes which are unique to canoeists.
Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden and is known for its Northern Lights. There are currently more than 22,000 people living there. The town is located between the two ore mountains Kirunavaara and Luossavaara. Very high-quality magnetite iron ore is mined from these ore mountains. The Kiruna ore mine is the largest Iron Rz mine in the world.
Due to the northern location of Kiruna it is very cold in winter with temperatures of up to -30°C. In Kiruna, the polar night last from mid-December to the beginning of January at the latest, and the midnight sun is visible from the end of May to mid-July. If you want to be on the safe side, you should travel to Kiruna. Kiruna is located at latitude 67°N and has a geographical location for northern light observation. Of course, you can never be 100% sure if you will get to see the aurora but the odds are relatively good. In addition, the nearby Abisko National Park offers a viewpoint to see the Northern Lights. It should be noted, however, that from the end of May to the middle of July the sun doesn’t set, and the chances are minimal. The ideal time to travel to the area is between September and April.
Swedes just love desserts. So it’s not surprising that every day there is an extra coffee break, the so-called Fika. A Swedish tradition, there is always something sweet to eat with your coffee. Usually the sweet side dish consists of a canel bull, the Swedish cinnamon “snail” but there are certainly more ways to design Fika! Many cafés offer, among others, Äppeltoska (apple cake), which tastes very good. Sweden is known for its café culture and so try a couple of Fikas!
Sweden is easily reachable by plane, but flying is expensive. Most of its larger cities have an airport and all port cities have good ferry connections. The cheapest connections by air and water are to Stockholm. The best way to travel within Sweden is definitely by train. The railway network is well-developed in the south but perhaps not as much in the north. Alternatively, you can travel by bus. If you book early enough, you can get train connections for less than ten euros. The prices are high not only for food, but also for accommodation. However, there are still lots of ways to find cheap accommodation.
The ideal time to enjoy nature is in spring, summer or autumn. In winter it is very cold in Stockholm, but it is not that different in temperature to places like London and New York.
Crispbread and Köttbullar usually come to mind when you think about food in Sweden. Swedish cuisine, however, offers much more to explore. In traditional cuisine, a lot of the cooking is with fish and game, which is why most restaurants recommend elk burgers or fish. Depending on the region, however, there are different cuisines, which is why a recommendation from the chef is probably the best choice!
To successfully prepare for your Erasmus+ or Turing internship in Sweden, it is of course important that you are informed about the most common customs’. For example, did you know that in Sweden you have to take off your shoes when entering a house? This applies not only to a private invitation to a colleague's home, but even to the dentist's office. By the way, punctuality plays a very important role in Sweden. Especially as an Erasmus+ or Turing intern in Sweden, you should make a good impression and not be late for any business meetings. Swedes greet by handshake, just like many other countries. Since people in Sweden are a little more relaxed with their colleagues, there won’t be a strict hierarchy at work.
Ironic comments or jokes do not go down well with the Swedes. The same goes for status symbols. Here, the emphasis is more on understatement. Small talk is not one of the Swedes' strong points either, because they keep business and pleasure separate. Good topics for business meals are therefore not the own family, but rather soccer, ice hockey, or other cultural topics. During your Erasmus+ internship in Sweden, don't be surprised if conversations always get straight to the point and you don't dwell on friendly phrases.
As Sweden is a more expensive Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme destination, you should plan a little more "tash money" for your Erasmus+ or Turing internship. Stockholm is also very expensive compared to other Swedish cities. Not only the accommodation, but also the alcohol and all the activities are very expensive.
What Language is Spoken in Sweden?
The national language is Swedish, but almost all Swedes speak fluent English. So you shouldn't have any problems, even if you only speak some English. You can chat with locals in English, but it's a little nicer if you speak a few words of Swedish! Learn a few words in Swedish before your internship to gain some Brownie points! A little - Hej! - Hello" or a "Goodbye! – Hejdå!!” or thank you in Swedish - Tack! These words will certainly be well-received.
An internship abroad shouldn’t be missed from your CV. With one, you prove that you have expanded your language skills in English and Swedish, as well as that, it shows you are open to new things and have intercultural skills. In addition to the intercultural skills and the extended language skills, you will shine with a great professional experience in an exciting company.
HEJ! – We hope we have inspired you to apply for an internship in Sweden. Get an offer for your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme internship in Sweden and contact us. For more information on Erasmus+ application, read our Guide for Erasmus+ Funding Applicants or our Handbook for Erasmus+ Project Management & Execution.
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