Uppsala University 101

You have been accepted into Uppsala University. (Congratulations! or Grattis! in Swedish)

An email sits in your inbox about all the things you have to get, things you have to prepare and things you have to be prepared for.

These lists offer a lot of help for someone who doesn’t know what to expect. They cover as many details as possible but many sources can only go that far.

Based on my personal experience and those of my friends, there are a few things you can do to make your living in Uppsala better and perhaps make the most of it.

I’ve divided this article into two parts; one for the before arrival and one after arrival.

Before Arrival
1. Get your electronics right.
Things are quite expensive in Uppsala and in Sweden overall. Fix your gadgets, buy a travel adapter if not two, put that extra glass covering on your phone screen (mine broke, twice!)

2. Photocopies and digital copies of your documents.
Get physical photocopies and digital copies of your documents saved on Google Drive, Box, DropBox or other services. While photocopying is available, it can be expensive and hard to come by every where.

3. Offline Version of Google Maps.
Get an offline version of Google Maps for Uppsala. The “How-To” is hyperlinked for ease of use. It comes in handy as you may not have Wi-Fi available everywhere and you are new to town.

4. Invest in a Cash-Card/Travel-Card.
Sweden is going cashless and very fast at that. Public transportation do not accept cash. Many restaurants and pubs do have both options but you will see most people using cards. Get one! It’s worth it. (Also, you will be a sustainability star!)

5. Get a general health check-up done.
Healthcare in Sweden is expensive and a tedious process. It would be best if you can get a general health check-up at home and do the required, in a place you have familiar in. Buy an extra set of glasses if you use one. Waiting times for new ones can be anywhere between 2–4 weeks.

6. Sign-Up for the Buddy Programme.
The buddy programme offered by Uppsala Student Union is of great help to get in touch with people who have “been there done that”. It also helps you make your first bunch of friends here at Uppsala. Make use of it.

Optional but Recommended
The prominence of English speaking people here, is very high. Combined with international students, you have a lot of people speaking good English.
BUT
Swedish is a really lovely language and is spoken more often than English among Swedes and Swedish-speakers. Try and learn a little bit. Even if you embarrass yourself while speaking, you will have a good laugh about it.

After Arrival

1.Settle into accommodations
While the process of getting to your accommodations can be different, for different people. Try and settle into your living spaces at the earliest. You can buy second hand/used goods at different groups on Facebook for cheaper. You can also buy new things at IKEA, ICA, Jysk, or any other store which is available and you are familiar with.

2. Getting a SIM Card
The international welcome committee offers SIM cards in their welcome package. These can have various offers. Other service providers like Comviq also offer free SIM cards close to the Central Station and other pop-up shops. Make sure to pick one up, for free or otherwise.

3. Go to Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency)
Mainly for students who are looking to work; you have to be registered at Skatteverket to get your Personnummer (1 year and more)/Coordination Number (less than a year). This acts as your ID card during your time in Sweden. It also helps you work in Uppsala during your time here. Visit them and do the required procedures.
As of 2017, the documentation required is
i) Passport
ii) Admission Letter
iii) Rent Contract/Housing Contract
iv) Residence Permit

4. Get a bike/bicycle
Having a bike in Uppsala is key to making your experience one of the best. Apart from falling a few times, sober or otherwise, it helps you get from point A to point B and all the places in between quickly. There are people selling bikes second-hand on Facebook and there are stores selling second hand bikes as well. Be careful of stolen bikes, this is a huge problem here.
Bike accessories such as lights can be found in Biltema for cheap.

5. Temporary Nations Card
This will be given to you, with a week’s validity to enter any nation. Use it fully. Apart from a lot of activities, these events help you find friends to hang out. It will also help you decide on the Student Nation of your choice when you are to decide. This is your golden ticket for 1 week in Uppsala.

6. Locate your Campus
Uppsala University is spread far and wide within Uppsala. Use some free time to check where your campus is and how to get there using a bike or a bus. UL App, the Uppsala Public Transport app helps you check bus timings and how to get there. Download it.

7. Your nearest grocery
Depending on where you stay, you will have different supermarkets available to you. Generally, smaller the supermarket,more expensive it is. ICA, Willys, LIDL and Hemköp are the most prominent supermarkets in Uppsala. For those craving for Indian, Asian and Arabic food Uppsala Orienthus and Sivia Matcentre can help you feel a little closer to home.

These are a few key things which I had a struggle with when I first arrived here at Uppsala but looking back, I can only laugh at the experience of buying sour milk instead of regular and not knowing how to pay in the bus.

Should you have any questions, feel free to find me on social media and write to me. Perhaps I can answer your questions.

Calm your nerves, Sweden is beautiful.

Lycka till!