Guide on basics, intern to intern

Welcome Interns: A Guide to Life in Sweden

Starting an internship in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. As one intern to another, this guide is designed to give you an honest perspective on life in Sweden and help you settle in smoothly. Let's dive into some practical advice!

Shopping in Sweden

Sweden has a lot of options for shopping. As far as I know, there are small local spots, Maxi, Coop, Hemköp and Lidl.

• Maxi: A good shopping place overall. It is not too expensive, and it is also not too cheap. Usually, Maxi is in the middle price-wise, but some Maxi shops are massive, so you can find everything you need there.
• Coop: Similar to Maxi but more expensive.
• Hemköp: An average option if it is the closest to you. However, I would not choose it because of the prices and limited options.
• Lidl: One of the best options in the end. It may not have everything you need (though it usually does), but considering the prices, it is the best option.

Another piece of advice is to look for shops for your specific needs. For example, in Barkarby, near the centrum, there is a really good restaurant with great food and good prices. There is also a Dollar Store nearby and a marketplace for international options, from food to snacks – everything.

Dollar Store is probably the best place to get your house supplies. It may be far from your home, but an occasional visit won't hurt. There is also a beautiful lake there, so why not make it a better visit with that?

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Sweden is quite reasonably priced compared to other countries. However, it will still cost you enough to impact your budget. The best thing to do is to buy a monthly or longer ticket from the information spots, which are located in almost every station. These are usually near the ticket entrances and look like security stations, but they will help you with your ticket.

Also, download the SL app when you arrive in Sweden. It is the main transportation app and will be very useful.

Food and Breaks at Work

We have a fridge and a spot for food. If you do not want to spend too much money during your breaks or lunches, you are more than welcome to store your items here. You can quickly prepare your food, snacks or drinks.

Housing

Housing can be quite expensive in Sweden, and in general it is more expensive than average. Coliving spots can ease that. Always explore your options because there are plenty, such as COLIVE and Allihoop.

Communication

Everybody here speaks English well enough to communicate with you about anything, so do not be afraid to ask questions. People are super helpful as long as you respect them.

Weather: Prepare for the Cold

Sweden is very cold. You might think you know what cold is, but it will likely be colder than you expect. From personal experience, I can tell you to be prepared. Invest in good-quality winter clothes – jackets, boots, gloves and hats will be your best friends.

This post has been written by another intern who has already been here for months now. I wish you all the best of luck with everything, and I hope that everything will go the way you hoped it would. 😊

– Dogukan Moral

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