We are, just as the international students, very well aware about the problems that they have to struggle with and therefore we want to try to solve them – together. So says seven student unions at Lund university that arrange International Day today.
With 2600 international students Lund University has the highest amount of international students arriving among Sweden’s Universities . This has a very positive effect on Lund University’s position on the international ranking lists – but with great power comes great responsibility.
To get the chance to study at Lund University is not a walk in the park. First you need to get your papers right, you need money and of course a place to stay. If it’s difficult for Swedish students to get accommodation – then imagine how hard it is for an international student. This autumn about 700 international students stood without housing on arrival day. On different social media sites warnings about scams renting out apartments that did not exist, came up every day during arrival week.
Sweden is an expensive country to live in. To get by in Sweden you also need a bank account, which is easier said than done. A lot of international students witness a restrictive attitude from the banks with opening accounts if you’re not staying for more than one semester.
It’s not the truth that Swedish people are cold hearted – but it’s not a complete lie either. The social integration into Lund’s student life and Sweden as a whole can be as hard as the Swedish winter from time to time. Different culture norms, dormitories with only Swedish students and a language far different from your own can easily result in exclusion.
A lot of international students come here with bigger dreams than to get a degree. It’s often a requirement to know how to speak fluent Swedish to get a job in Sweden, though it’s rather difficult to be a full time student and still have time to learn Swedish. The Swedish labor market is well developed, but is lacking diverse nationalities and competence from outside of Europe. Despite this, it’s still hard to get into the system. Last spring the Swedish Parliament adopted a law that allows for international students to stay in Sweden for up to 6 months while searching for a job following graduation. The EU commission wants to take it even further, and let international students stay for up to twelve months. With the currently unsteady situation within the Swedish government, we will simply have to wait and see what will happen with this proposition.
With this article seven student Unions at Lund University want to highlight solutions to these problems. We are, just as the international students, very well aware about the problems and therefore we want to try to solve them – together. On this Friday, 5th of December 2014, the third TID (The International Day) takes place at Eden in Lund from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a day to focus on solutions. The exhibitors is divided in to three themes: housing, social integration and labor market. Come and meet exhibitors, make your voices heard, get your CV revised and listen to international alumni and their way into the Swedish labor market. The Student Unions at Lund University sees the value in enriching student life in Lund with new perspectives and will continue to work for a multicultural student life and University.
Teknologkåren
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Medicinska Föreningen
Humanistiska och Teologiska Studentkåren
Samhällsvetarkåren vid Lunds Universitet
through,
Sanna Jegust – Event Coordinator, Samhällsvetarkåren,
Moa Persdotter – Labour Market Coordinator, Samhällsvetarkåren
