I have been invited to go on exchange to Goteborg University in Sweden to finish of the last semester of my law degree....

thing is Im having cold feet...I have less than 2 weeks to decide my fate

I went to Europe for 6 weeks had a blast, 6 months on the other hand....

I heard Sweden is damn expensive (I got given $3000 US to go, thatll cover 1/5 to 1/5 of the entire trip though)....in hindsight im thinking I should have chose Canada or the USA....cause I havent been there (only as a kid)..Im also scared ill get home sick

Do you think Sweden will be too much of a culture shock for an Aussie-asian boy like me?

Anyone's though of studying, working or traveling in Sweden greatly appreciated!!

i dont know anything about sweden, so can't help you on that front

but swedish chicks are hot.

have a great time, and dont get anyone preggers

Nordic-kulta, Pidän sinusta oikein paljon. Kiinalaisten ja suomalaisten lapsista tulee kauniita!

Foreigners see the Swedes as reserved, calm, modern, tolerant – and much of this is true. But don’t worry. The people in this country are not constantly depressed. You will meet very friendly and kind people. They won’t become best friends right away or tell you their life story during the first meeting, but they are helpful and willing to listen.

Their tolerance for other cultures is legendary. One of every nine Swedes is of foreign origin nowadays. However, there are racists too, just like in other European countries. But their actual number is lower than elsewhere.

Hi, dude:

Currently, I am studying in Göteborg University. I think I must tell you this. Indeed, sweden is a very expensive country. Normally, the rent for a single student room (18 m^2) is about 3000 SEK per month. You need at least another 2000 SEK for food and so on every month. Then if you like to travel a bit....it will be about another 1500 SEK per month on average. The monthly bus ticket will cost about 375 SEK WITH student discount. On average, an oneway trainticket will cost you about 200-300 SEK depends on the distances. Then if you would like to party and have some fun...it will be another 2500 SEK per month. It costs about 40 SEK for a beer in a normal student pub. In a regular pub, it will cost you about 90 SEK for a beer. Wine and cocktails are extremely expens�*ve in sweden. So in total, You will need about 9000 SEK per month, if you would like to have a good period of staying.

So with the current exchange rate, I think you can help yourself to do the math'.......

Ok, man....If you need more detailed information, you are always welcome to contact me....But with your 3000 Dollars' budget....I think it is better to choose some places where things are a bit cheaper than sweden......

Greeting Tony

I agree with aznlover. But also take costs into consideration and after you think you can deal with the money, then go. Have you thought of applying for another scholarship or a grant or some extra kind of funding from your university? Give your dean a personal call. Maybe he can help you out.

Don't get scared of getting homesick. If you've never been off Australia, you have to go, just as part of the maturing process in manhood!

Shell shock? Let me tell you, when you land on a country with tons of hot women, you will forget almost any home sickness. I long to go to Europe whenever I get a holiday man!

If you go to the US or Canada, you might as well stay in Australia. I would travel in N. America but only if I have extra time and the luxury, otherwise I would hit Europe. Unless of course, going to a US Ivy League is paramount to your career. Otherwise, go to Europe (if you can afford it in the end).

I'm in a similar position to yourself. I'm presuming that this is your 5th year of law?

If I were you, I'd go for it. Excluding cost factors, it's a simple decision. Presuming that like myself, you intend on selling your soul to a corporate law firm for an indefinite period of the future - when are you ever going to be able to go on a university exchange again?

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the semester you intend to study in begins in early September. Assuming that your Australian University first semester finishes in early July, it leaves you with another two months to earn some cash to help cover your costs.

And echoing the sentiments of those preceding me, I'm sure that events will conspire to mitigate any homesickness you may experience.

yes, I probably have all of July to work hard and save alot of money....a few thousand within a month hopefully.

Im hoping to spend all inclusive of airflight and eveything over 5 month period 15K aussie, or 12k US...is that a reasonable figure to aim for?

Another problem is Im attached so, all those Swedish ladies will have to wait to wait their turn to get a piece of me, although a bit of eye candy never hurt.

Hmm pondering...so much to think about

I can say that in my travels through Europe (and Sweden twice), that I found Swedes the most friendly and approachable (besides Spaniards) in Europe.