A Buddy to guide you
Making new friends is a big part of studying abroad and getting involved in the SBP is one of the best ways to meet both Swedish and international students during an exchange in Stockholm. All incoming exchange students are assigned a buddy from the Swedish student body who will act as a contact person both before and after the arrival in Stockholm. Welcoming activities are then arranged by SBP throughout the first six weeks of the semester.
Getting to know each other and Stockholm
According to Marlowe Klingvall, one of the SBP coordinators for fall 2011, the purpose of the programme is to introduce exchange students to fellow international and Swedish students during social activities outside the university. Common activities include sightseeing, dinners, pub crawls, visits to museums, short cruises and a sailing trip through the Stockholm archipelago. New for fall 2011 was a series of events highlighting the Nobel Prize and its Swedish roots.
“Getting involved in SBP is a great way to meet new friends, both Swedish and from other countries, and it is also a great opportunity to get to know Stockholm better. Since many exchange students live in different places and take different courses, it’s important to find ways to get to know one another,” Marlowe comments.
“My advice is to take part in as many SBP activities as possible. It is also important to be active and seek out other student activities as well. A good idea is to engage in one of the School of Business Student Association committees,” he continues.
Appreciated by students and the school
Making sure that all incoming exchange students settle in with the university and life in Stockholm is also a key priority for the School of Business.
“We really appreciate the fantastic job that the SBP does for our incoming students. While we can offer them help with the academic aspects of their time here, the SBP takes care of the social aspects which are very important to a successful exchange period,” Rachel Weiner, International Coordinator at the School of Business, comments, adding, “SBP also benefits the School’s full-time students as it adds an international dimension to their studies and helps prepare them for their own exchange period. Through SBP, students make friends from all over the world, whether they are originally from Stockholm or Shanghai.”
A majority of incoming exchange students take part in SBP welcoming activities and the advantages of participating are many. Jeff Lam Tian Hung from National University of Singapore notes that the greatest benefit is the opportunity to make new friends.
“People who make an effort to come to the events are outgoing, fun and friendly people who just want to have a good time and make new friends! And sometimes it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, as long as you have great company!”