Sweden is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe, bordered by Norway and Finland. It is the third largest country in the European Union by area, with a population of about 9.5 million. So, what does Sweden have to offer an international student?

Studying in Sweden is different from studying in other countries because Swedish universities have an open climate with a strong focus on group work. The Swedish education system focuses more on your academic interests than pushing you to achieve a grade. Swedish universities work to prepare you for a successful future; the job market values ambitious, innovative, and perceptive team players, so Swedish universities attempt to install these qualities in their students. Degree programs in Sweden offer students the opportunity to mix study and practical work, so that they have first-hand experience in their field when they graduate and enter the job market.

The education system in Sweden is student-centric. Relationships between students and teachers are relaxed and informal; as a student in Sweden, you will be expected to address your teachers by their first names. Swedish universities prize personal initiative and independent thinking; if you choose to study in Sweden, you will be expected and required to take an active role and contribute with your opinions and ideas in lectures, seminars, and group discussions. This will give you the opportunity to develop your individual strengths and cultivate your academic abilities.

In the 2010 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sweden has three universities in the top 100 and eleven in the top 500.

Almost everyone in Sweden speaks English nowadays; 89 per cent of Swedes are bilingual, so international students from English-speaking countries need not worry about not being able to communicate if they don’t speak Swedish.

Sweden is one of the world’s most modern countries, and the birthplace of many successful corporations. A number of successful inventions have resulted from research at Swedish universities and companies, including the computer mouse, Bluetooth, the pacemaker, the ball bearing, the dialysis machine, and internet applications such as Spotify and Skype. These recent inventions are built on a long history of excellence in academia and research in Sweden. Sweden is the home of the Nobel prize and several highly acclaimed universities dating back to the 15th century. This innate creativity has established Sweden as a strong nation within design, fashion, and music. It is one of the largest music-exporting countries in the world.

For students who wish to seek internship’s or work experience, look no further than one of Sweden’s many internationally-renowned businesses.

Students will find the head offices of companies like H&M and Spotify in Stockholm. Or, if you find yourself studying on Sweden’s west coast, you may be interested in gaining experience at Volvo’s head office in Gothenburg.

Unlike many other countries, Sweden does not impose any official limitations on how many hours a student can work. Therefore, it is much easier for students to find job prospects that turn into lifelong careers.