Why should you apply to the LiU Summer Academy? If you are not convinced by the fact that LiU ranks in the top 2% in international rankings, the courses offered are of outstanding quality and Linköping and the region Östergötland have a lot to offer, hopefully by hearing from other international students will help you make up your mind!
Hear from others about LiU Summer Academy
"I made so many friends"
Name: Mitch Cook-Graver Mitch Cook-Graver
Country of origin: The US
The course at LiU: Use and Abuse of Culture
What was your first impression?
My first impression of Sweden was seeing a wild hedgehog the night I arrived while walking to my dorm. I was totally floored because we don't have those in the US!
What did you find interesting or intriguing about LiU Summer Academy that made you apply?
The thing that made me apply to LiU was its location within Europe and the smaller size of the city of Linköping. I thought this would provide a unique experience that most travellers abroad don't get.
What is it like to study with other international students?
Studying with other international students makes me feel a little shameful about being American. I can only speak English and many of my peers are multilingual! Everyone is sporting, though, and is willing to practice speaking English with me. My international peers are very open and interested to learn about America, though. I also have broadened my horisons and met some interesting people that I never would have met otherwise in a million years.
If you could give other students that are curious about LiU Summer Academy any advice, what would those be?
My advice is to apply and see if you can plan other travel around Europe before or after the programme. I was able to see Berlin and Copenhagen before I even started my studies in Linköping!
And of course, what is your favourite Swedish fika or candy?
A Toscasnäcka and Cafe au Lait is how I fika!
"Just come and see for yourself"
Name: Hazel Teo Kai XinHazel Teo Kai Xin.
Country of origin: Singapore
The Course at LiU: The Use and Abuse of culture
How did you find out about LiU Summer Academy?
I first heard about LiU through the summer exchange fair that was hosted by Nanyang Technological University. After researching and reading more about the different universities in Sweden, I wanted to experience studying life at LiU.
What did you find interesting or intriguing about LiU Summer Academy that made you apply?
Very different from Singapore, Sweden has a free education policy which was rather intriguing to me initially. To travel overseas for summer exchange, cost and expenses would be one very essential consideration and LiU made it really accommodating, easy and affordable for me here. Moreover, I really loved being surrounded by nature which is a rare sight in such a modern concrete jungle era.
How was your course at LiU?
The course was extremely different from what I studied back home. Honestly, it is hard to wrap my head around the way of thinking and what was taught in class but slowly, I liked learning and expanding my mind to think in these really different ways, where there was no right and wrong, no black and white and that each problem does not have a fixed solution to it.
How has the experience been so far with LiU Summer Academy?
The experience with LiU Summer Academy has been amazing. I enjoyed the natural landscape so so much, the courses conducted as well as the learning environment here.
And of course, what is your favourite Swedish fika or candy?
Turkish pepper? Kidding! Hahaha. I love the culture surrounding Swedish fika, where everyone just gathers and have coffee together on a weekday. If I were to choose, it would be the cardamon bun, because it reminds me of a cinnamon roll and pairs really well with coffee!
"The student life was great!"
Name: Janek FehlbierJanek Fehlbier
Country of origin: Germany
The course at LiU: Nanotechnology
How did you find out about LiU Summer Academy?
The international office at my home university (TU Ilmenau) send an invitation to apply for the LiU Summer Academy. Afterwards, I used the helpful website of the LiU Summer Academy to inform myself about the different courses.
What was your first impression?
My first impression was the well-organized and helpful information the LiU team provides. Additionally, I liked the clear and transparent requirements and contents of each course which were given online.
How is the student life and atmosphere?
The student life was great! We did plenty of activities together: volleyball games, swimming at the beach and partying together. I appreciated the solidarity among the summer school students and the open-mindedness, which led to many friendships and a lot of fun! I also enjoyed the international diversity and was happy that so many students from countries like Singapore and Chile came to Linköping. Since we all lived in the student city Ryd the atmosphere was quickly very familiar and we got to know each other within the first few days. Another point for the good relations was that the summer school students were almost alone on campus since the other students have on summer holidays. Thus we had the new building Studenthuset for ourselves and space for a lot of gatherings in the student accommodations.
What do you hope you will have achieved after spending a month in Linköping?
After the month in Linköping, I gained plenty of international experiences, learned some fundamentals in nanotechnology and made a couple of good friends!
And of course, what is your favourite Swedish fika or candy?
The thing I like most about fika is actually the coffee.
"The experience is incredible"
Name: Tamaris Oliveira Roda
Tamaris Oliveira Roda
Country of origin: Brazil
The course at LiU: Alternative Energy
Country of origin: Brazil
The course at LiU: Alternative Energy
What did you find interesting or intriguing about LiU Summer Academy that made you apply?
The opportunity of doing a course on a really interesting topic in a country that is so recognised for its work with sustainability and the environment, also the opportunity to study in Sweden and to meet people from all over the world!How was the student life and atmosphere?
The student life and atmosphere were amazing! The campus was so great, and also my course colleagues were really nice!If you could give other students that are curious about LiU Summer Academy any advice, what would those be?
The advice would be DO IT! The experience is incredible, the city is so beautiful and cosy, the campus is really great and the work of the summer academy group, to make us have a good experience and a good time, is amazing! It is also an opportunity to learn a lot inside and outside the class!What do you hope you will have achieved after spending a month in Linköping?
I improved my knowledge about energy sources, about the environment in general and about lots of different cultures! It was also important to my personal life, to travel to another country alone, spend a month there and get to see things and the world in a different and special way!And of course, what is your favourite Swedish fika or candy?
Kanelbullar! Without a doubt! Loved it!