Details

• Sweden
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Carefully read the exchange reports from previous students, as they provide very helpful insights about universities, courses, and the overall experience. In your application, clearly explain why your first-choice destination is the perfect fit for you. Make sure your motivation is convincing and specific, and explain why this particular university and location match your academic interests and goals. For traveling, it is advisable not to bring too much luggage and to travel light. During the semester you will likely travel quite a bit, so flexibility is helpful. Bringing an extra backpack is a good idea, as it can be very practical for shorter trips.

2. Accommodation

Finding a private apartment in Stockholm can be very difficult, so it is advisable to apply for the obvious student housing options in the suburbs early on. I stayed at Campus Star, which worked out very well overall. Although it is a bit outside the city center, the location felt very safe and the commute to the university was manageable. One important tip is to avoid apartments on the ground floor, as people walking by can easily see directly into your room. It is also worth applying as early as possible for student housing, as the cheaper rooms tend to be allocated first. In several student residences, the shared flats were already fully booked quite early, leaving mostly the more expensive options available later on.

3. Academic life at host university

SSE is a very small and cozy university with a great atmosphere and a strong sense of community. Because the campus is quite compact, you will constantly run into people you know, which makes it very easy to build connections and feel part of the community quickly. Academically, there are many finance specialists at SSE, so the level in quantitative courses can be quite high. Many students are very strong in analytical and technical topics. In more qualitative strategic management courses, however, I felt that WU students often have an advantage, especially when it comes to working through case studies, structuring arguments, and delivering clear management-style presentations. In these types of courses it is easy to make a strong impression.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Stockholm is excellent and makes it very easy to get around the city and explore the surrounding areas. I would highly recommend using the pendeltåg to explore the outskirts of the city, where you can quickly reach many beautiful lakes and hiking trails. Your public transport ticket also includes the inner-city ferries, which are a great and fun way to get around on sunny days. Stockholm generally felt like a very safe and clean city to me. I also visited areas that are sometimes described as problematic, but I personally never felt unsafe. The news and rumors about gang violence or “no-go areas” were not something I experienced during my time there. Personally, I spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying nature. I also had access to a gym in my student residence, which made it easy to stay active. The coffee culture in Stockholm is fantastic, and I would definitely recommend exploring the many cafés around the city. Prices are not necessarily higher than in Vienna. Going out and partying can be expensive, but there are also bars where you can find beers for around four euros. Overall, however, I felt that the city offers so much more than just nightlife. I also used the semester to travel a bit and would highly recommend doing a trip to Norway if you have the chance. I visited Tromsø, which was an amazing experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange felt like four months of self-care. I really enjoyed the calm culture and relaxed vibe of the city while spending a lot of time exploring nature around Stockholm. Academically, the workload was very manageable, even though I completed 30 ECTS, which still left plenty of time to experience the city and travel.