I am trying to figure out the differences in: Ease of acquiring an apartment, Enrolling in a University, Obtaining a student Visa, Working part-time, General feelings towards American students etc...... Thanks so much
Other - Europe - 1 Answers
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I can help with Denmark and Sweden. As an undergrad student, you can do an exchange with your home university. Language isn't a requirement beforehand, but you will take Swedish or Danish classes while studying. If you want to do a degree program as an undergrad, it is a bit harder. You need to fulfill the language requirements first, which means proficiency equivalent to a Swedish/Danish university student (usually at least a year of full time study). You also need to meet entry requirements, which for most of Europe mean an extra year higher education study after high school. Masters and PhD programs are available (limited) in English, more often in science or technology fields, without the language requirement. Housing can be very difficult to find in major Swedish cities, and unless you have Swedish fluency, work will be even harder. It took me two years to find work in Sweden, and it wasn't from lack of trying. Most housing associations have a rental waiting list, which ranges 6 months to many years (Stockholm center is 20+ years). Students have more available housing, but there is also sometimes a waiting list for these flats, and you will need somewhere to live meanwhile. Apply early. I'm not sure how housing works in Denmark, but friends have said it is easier to find than in Sweden. You have to prove you have the funds for living costs and any fees, before you can get a visa. Basically, you need to be able to support yourself without work, because jobs aren't easy to find especially in a major city. There are many immigrants and young Swedes vying for the same work, most with language in their favor. You shouldn't receive any negative treatment as an American student, although you could face hiring discrimination as an immigrant (it doesn't matter where you are from, if it's outside Scandinavia).
