Ancient rune stones, modern coffee houses, Viking ruins, chic cities, vast forests—Sweden is a soulful blend of medieval architecture, natural beauty, and clever, stylish design. With its innovative educational system, it is also a premier study abroad destination. The student-friendly city of Lund offers a chance to study in English at a top-ranked Scandinavian university. The college town of Lund encircles a striking cathedral complete with a mythological giant in the crypt and a marvelous astrological clock. An international hub for education and research, it is among the most affordable study abroad locales in Europe.
Planning Steps to Study Abroad
Mapping Your Study Abroad Journey
Preparing to study abroad takes up to a year, and the best way to avoid missing out is to start right now. Deadlines for program applications, travel documents, course approvals, and scholarship applications arrive quickly. Check our interactive timeline to pinpoint your next step for this term and keep your plans on schedule.
Funding and Affordability
Paying for Study Abroad
Your UC financial aid, grants, and scholarships travel with you, and some programs cost less than a term on campus. Explore the Making Study Abroad Affordable Guide (written by UC students who've done it) for budgeting tips, estimating your expenses, and making your global experience fit your financial plan.
Family and Support
Involve Your Support Network
Bringing your family into your study abroad plans early helps everyone feel confident and prepared. Share key details about health, safety, finances, and academic credit using our family and support network guide. For advice on starting informative and constructive conversations, check out our tips for talking with your family and friends about your global goals.
Academic Planning for Study Abroad
Stay on Track to Graduate
Studying abroad integrates into your degree when you plan ahead. Discover how UC credit transfers, explore courses that satisfy major or general education requirements, and read student tips on planning what courses to take abroad. Connect with your campus advisor early to build a schedule that aligns with your graduation timeline.
Questions about study abroad?
Get Application Support
Connect with our advising team to get your questions answered and start planning your study abroad experience! Here are some of the advising options available:
- Interactive workshops to set goals, explore academic and funding resources, and prepare your application.
- Drop-in advising to speak with region-specific advisors.
- Individual virtual sessions for specialized guidance focused on your target region.
- Don't forget to meet with advisors at your home UC campus for academic planning, major credit petitions, and campus financial aid.
When first considering studying abroad, all I could think of was wanting to go somewhere that would genuinely change me. I wanted to experience a new way of thinking, a new daily routine, and different ideologies. The students at Lund University taught me a profound lesson—grades are just a small part of who you are. Coming from a highly competitive environment, a lot of my self worth was placed on performing in school, but life has too much to offer to only worry about grades and career prospects. Swedish students and the friends I met all showed me how necessary it is to connect with people around the world, to explore new places, eat new foods, and most importantly, create a healthy and encouraging social circle.
My first semester in Lund, Sweden was not all rosy, but learning to overcome hardship was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I grew so much and gained so many friends and experiences. As much as I appreciate my experiences at Berkeley, I don't feel changed in the same way as I do from my time in Sweden. Berkeley challenged me to grow academically, but Lund challenged me to grow as a person.
Leaving home for half a year was exciting and nerve-racking, but I knew I made the right choice when I arrived in Sweden. My home was Lund, a charming city of cobblestoned streets occupied by bikes and dog walkers. The city consisted of small businesses and coffee shops that provided for "Fika"—a traditional coffee break that quickly became my favorite time of the day.
