Business Strategies for Sustainable Development 7,5 credits
Intensive Week April 1st – April 9th, 2011
Västerås, Sweden
1 PARTICIPANTS ...... 1 1.1 TEACHERS ...... 2
2 INTENSIVE WEEK SCHEDULE ...... 3
2.1 A TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR THE INTENSIVE WEEK AT MÄLARDALEN UNIVERSITY ...... 4
3 TEST, PROJECTS, PRESENTATIONS, EVALUATIONS AND GRADING ...... 9
3.1 MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST (20%) ...... 9 3.2 COMPANY/COUNTRY PRESENTATION (40%) ...... 9 3.2.1 EVALUATION AND GRADING ...... 9 3.3 ABB PROJECT (40%) ...... 10 3.3.1 REPORT ...... 10 3.3.2 ORAL PRESENTATION AND POWER POINT MATERIAL ...... 10 3.3.3 EVALUATION AND GRADING ...... 10
4 SWEDISH SURVIVAL KIT ...... 11
4.1 LIVING COSTS ...... 11 4.2 MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR NORDIC, EU/EEA CITIZENS AND SWITZERLAND ...... 11 4.3 CALL SERVICES ...... 11 4.4 SOCIAL LIFE ...... 11 4.5 HOW ARE THE SWEDES? ...... 12 4.6 MEALS AND DRINKS ...... 12 4.6.1 ALCOHOL IN SWEDEN ...... 13 4.7 LEISURE ACTIVITIES ...... 13 4.7.1 NIGHT CLUBS AND BARS ...... 13 4.8 SURVIVAL SWEDISH ...... 13
5 INFORMATION ON VÄSTERÅS ...... 14
5.1 HISTORY ...... 14 5.2 TODAY ...... 14 5.3 INDUSTRY, RETAILING AND TRADE ...... 15 5.4 SOME PICTURES ...... 16
1 Participants
Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden): Mälardalen has approximately 16 000 students and over 800 employees and we are expanding rapidly. Half of our 16,000 students are studying engineering or natural science and the other half are enrolled in social science, behavioral science, humanities or health science. We offer 45 undergraduate programs, 55 graduate programs and approximately 500 courses. Mälardalen University has established research areas in engineering and technology, natural science, humanities, social science and health science. Since 2000 we have the right to educate and examine researchers within the scientific area technology, which has lead to new doctoral students. The number of students studying Business is approximately 1500 and the majority of the programs offered in business studies (both on undergraduate and postgraduate level) have an international dimension.
Telemark University College, Bø (Norway) Telemark University College is the fifth largest of the 25 state university colleges in Norway. They are located in the county of Telemark, in the southern part of the country. They have campuses in Porsgrunn, Bø, Notodden and Rauland. Telemark offers undergraduate and (post)graduate studies in a wide range of academic fields, including Tourism, Experience Economy, Arts and Sciences, Teaching, Nursing and Social Work, Art, Norwegian Folk Art and Folk Music, and Technology (Engineering).
Reykjavik University, Reykjavik (Iceland) The University consists of five academic schools: School of Law, School of Business, School of Health and Education, School of Computer Science and the School of Science and Engineering. Reykjavik University is a community of over 3000 students and over 500 full time and part time employees. Today, the University offers almost 700 courses a year, over 500 at the undergraduate level and 160 at the master’s level, and thus seeks to meet the needs of students and industry in Iceland and abroad. Reykjavik University will be fully bilingual (English and Icelandic) by the beginning of 2009. The mission of Reykjavik University is to create and communicate knowledge, in order to increase the competitiveness of individuals, firms and society as a whole, while at the same time enhancing the quality of life of our students and staff. Our aim is to make Reykjavik University the center for international research collaborations in Europe and across the Atlantic.
Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Lahti (Finland) Lahti University of Applied Sciences is a large, multidisciplinary institution of higher education. It is a center of expertise with over 5,000 enrolled students and approximately 200 full-time teaching staff. Over 75 % of the teaching staff has a postgraduate degree (Master's or higher). Lahti offers undergraduate and (post) graduate studies in a wide range of academic fields, including Tourism and Hospitality, Business Studies, Design, Music, Social and Health Care, Fine Arts and Technology.
Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn (Estonia) With its eight faculties, three colleges and Rn'D institutions, Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) is a national university of technology, internationally renowned, known as a reliable partner at different levels of collaboration networks. TUT are serving Estonia as a hothouse of engineering and technology professionals and a driving force for the development of a knowledge-based economy. TUT fosters integration of technical and related natural and social sciences and humanities that create a basis of higher technological education and advancement of Estonia’s economy.
Aarhus University, Institute of Business and Technology, Herning (Denmark) AU-IBT was founded in 1995 and offers degree courses in engineering, business economics and business languages at the same institution. The study programmes are based on interaction across professional boundaries as well as close interaction with students and the surrounding business community. Furthermore, all the study programmes have an innovative and international perspective. AU-IBT has approximately 1,600 students (about one half are full-time students and the other half part-time students) and a staff of 200.
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ISM University of Management and Economics, Vilnius (Lithuania) ISM has two campuses in Vilnius and Kaunas with more than 1800 students. The university holds an
International Quality Accreditation (IQA) and a European Credit Transfer Label (ECTS label). ISM Bachelor and Master Business and Management programmes have been accredited and awarded the highest assessment by the team of international experts invited by the Centre for - Quality Assessment in Higher Education. The university offers studies at all levels of university studies: doctoral, executive education and training, graduate, undergraduate. Teachers and professors are from across the globe and they carry out exchange programmes with universities in more than 20 different countries.
1.1 Teachers
Iceland Friđrik Larsen
[email protected] Reykjavik University (Assistant Professor) Denmark Christina Uldum
[email protected] Aarhus University, Institute of Business & Technology (University Lecturer) Lithuania Benas Adomavičius
[email protected] ISM University of Management & Economics (Senior Lecturer) Norway Ingeborg Nordbø [email protected] Telemark University College (Associate Professor) Finland Anna Pajari [email protected] Lahti University of Applied Sciences (University Lecturer) Estonia Virve Siirde [email protected] Tallinn University of Technology (University Lecturer) Sweden Birgitta Schwartz
[email protected] Mälardalen University (Associate Professor) Charlotta Edlund Sweden (University Lecturer & [email protected] Mälardalen University International Coordinator)
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2 Intensive week schedule
Friday April 1 Saturday April 2 Sunday April 3 Monday April 4 Tuesday April 5 Wednesday April 6 Thursday April 7 Friday April 8 Saturday April 9 09.15 Lecture 3 Room: Ypsilon Room: Case (Peter Dobers) 09.30 Lecture 5 (Anna) Students Group 10.00 Room: Case 10.15 Lecture 6 (Fridrik) Room: Case 10.00 Lecture 4 Work 09.15 - 12.00 Presentation of the Students Group 10.00 Lecture 1 (Birgitta) Room: Case Room: Case course theme and Work 10.30 Lecture 2 (Benas) (Lena Westerholm, ABB) ABB project presentations week
11.00 11.00 - 13.00 Multiple Choice test 11.00 - 13.00 Sponsor meetings Sponsor meetings ABB ABB (including (including lunch break – incl.) 12.00 - 13.00 lunch break – incl.) 12.00 -- 12.00 - 13.00 Lunch (included) Students hand in Lunch (included) ABB projects and start preparing for presentations. 11.00 - - 11.00 - - 13.00 - 18.30 13.15 - 16.00 Students Group work Students Group work Students: Group work (including lunch Room: Case Arrival (including lunch break at (including lunch break – break – incl.) ABB project presentations Departure
13.00 - 18.00 your own expense) incl.)
Presentation of Students Group
Company/Country Work 16.00 - 18.00 reports Teachers/ABB Teachers/ABB grade mentors: Evaluate presentations Teachers: Grading ABB projects reports/presentations Students free afternoon
19.00 – Dinner 19.00 -- 19.00 – 23.00 (Buffet at the Free evening Free evening Free evening Free evening Farewell dinner with Social activity University – included) diploma ceremony
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2.1 A tentative agenda for the intensive week at Mälardalen University
Below follows a more detailed description about each day of the week. The plan is subject to change.
Friday April 1st - Arrival
Students’ accommodation April 1st – April 8th: http://www.aabrin.se/index_en.html Hotell Aabrin (Bed & Breakfast AB) Breakfast: Saturday-Sunday 08.00-10.00 + Monday-Friday 06.00-09.00 Kopparbergsvägen 47, 722 19 Västerås Cleaning: (change of bed linen & towels) every 2nd day. Unfortunately no Telephone: +46-(0)21-14 39 80 washing machine available. E-mail: [email protected] Food: Minibar in the room, where you can store food/drinks you buy. There is (About 10 min walk to the university) a microwave you can use in the dining area.
Students’ accommodation April 8th – April 9th: www.hotellvasteras.se Hotell Västerås Vasagatan 22, 722 15 Västerås Telephone: +46-(0)21-18 03 30 Fax: +46-(0)21-18 03 37 E-mail: [email protected] (About 7 min walk to the university and 7 min walk to the central station)
Lecturers‘accommodation: http://www.hotellarkad.se/ Östermalmsgatan 25, 722 14 Västerås Telephone: +46 (0)21-12 04 80, Fax +46 (0)21-83 00 50, E-mail: [email protected] (About 10 min walk to the university and 7 min to the central station)
Teams will be met at the central station in Västerås and transported to the dormitory and hotel. Swedish student(s) will meet up at the student accommodation, Aabrin Hotel. Arrival times as follows: COUNTRY NAME E-MAIL AT STATION HOTEL
ESTONIA Lill, Mariliis (F) [email protected] 1 april, 11.20 Aabrin, room 7 ESTONIA Kallas, Gea (F) [email protected] 1 april, 11.20 Aabrin, room 7 ESTONIA Ulm, Lauri (M) [email protected] 1 april, 11.20 Aabrin, room 11
DENMARK Pørtner, Christian (M) [email protected] 1 april, 13.00 Aabrin, room 8
DENMARK Skorupskaite, Gintare (F) [email protected] 1 april, 13.00 Aabrin, room 14/15 DENMARK Raykov, Bogdan Ivanov (M) [email protected] 1 april, 13.00 Aabrin, room 8
DENMARK Uldum, Christina (F) - Teacher [email protected] 1 april, 13.00 Arkad FINLAND Lampinen, Saana (F) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 14/15
FINLAND Takala, Maiju [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 14/15
FINLAND Joensuu, Juhamatti (M) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 11
ICELAND Magnusdottir, Inga Maria (F) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 9
ICELAND Stefansdottir, Katrin Helga (F) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 9
ICELAND Hjaltalin, Stefan Jens (M) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 12
LITHUANIA Dagys, Agnius (M) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 10
LITHUANIA Stonys, Tomas (M) [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 10
LITHUANIA Padaiga, Povilas [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Aabrin, room 14/15
LITHUANIA Adomavičius, Benas (M) - Teacher [email protected] 1 april, 14.50 Arkad
NORWAY West, Ole Martin (M) [email protected] 1 april, 21.50 Aabrin, room 6
NORWAY Lange, Randy Gunnar (M) [email protected] 1 april, 21.50 Aabrin, room 12
NORWAY Böhmer, Benjamin (M) [email protected] 1 april, 21.50 Aabrin, room 6
NORWAY Ingeborg Marie Nordbø (F) - Teacher [email protected] 1 april, 21.50 Arkad
ICELAND Larsen, Fridrik (M) - Teacher [email protected] 4 april, 14.50 Arkad
FINLAND Pajari, Anna (F) - Teacher [email protected] 4 april, 16.50 Arkad
ESTONIA Siirde, Virve (F) - Teacher [email protected] 5 april, 16.50 Arkad
Friday is free from any scheduled activities.
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Saturday April 2nd – Room: Case (R2-131)
10.00
Presentation of the course theme and week (Birgitta Schwartz and Charlotta Edlund)
11.00 Multiple Choice test Bring your own lap top so you can log into BlackBoard and make the test.
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch at the university (included)
13.00 – 18.00 Presentation of company/Country reports.
ca.19.00 Dinner buffet at the University (included)
Sunday April 3rd – Room: Case (R2-131)
10.00 – 10.30 Lecture 1: How Companies Interplay with Different Actors/Stakeholders, Stakeholder Requirements, Birgitta Schwartz 10.30 – 11.00 Lecture 2: Competitive Advantage: How can Companies Achieve Competitive Advantages through Sustainability? Benas Adomavičius
11.00 - - Students work in groups – starting with ABB Projects (including lunch break at your own expense) 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023 Free evening
Monday April 4th – Room: Case (R2-131)
09.15 Lecture 3: Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility, Peter Dobers (Professor in Business Administration and Sustainable Development. Dean of the University Faculty Board)
10.00 Lecture 4: ABB’s Sustainability Work, Lena Westerholm (Head of Sustainability at ABB AB in Sweden)
11.00 - - Students work in groups (including lunch break – included at Snabba Snigeln): 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023
Teachers’ room: R2-015
Free evening
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Tuesday April 5th – Room: Ypsilon
09.30 – 10.15
Lecture 5: Strategic Approaches, Anna Pajari
10.15 – 11.00 Lecture 6: Obiter Dictum on Sustainability and Banking, Fridrik Larsen
11.00 – 13.00 Sponsor meetings with ABB – confirm with sponsor if meeting takes place at ABB or at the University (including lunch break – included at Snabba Snigeln)
13.00 – 17.30 Students work in groups: 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023
Teachers grade company/country reports and presentations – Room R2-015
18.00 – 19.00 Bowling at Strike
19.00 - - Dinner at Strike (included)
Wednesday April 6th
09.00 – 11.00 Students work in groups: 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023
11.00 – 13.00 Sponsor meetings with ABB – confirm with sponsor if meeting takes place at ABB or at the University (including lunch break – included at Snabba Snigeln)
13.30 – 15.00 Guided tour of Västerås (guide Marianne Hansson)
15.00 - - Students work in groups: 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023
Free evening
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Thursday April 7th
09.00 – 12.00
Students work in groups: 1. Group 1 – room T2-026 2. Group 2 – room T2-022 3. Group 3 – room T2-025 4. Group 4 – room T2-024 5. Group 5 – room T2-023
12.00 Hand in ABB projects and start preparing for tomorrow’s presentations (including lunch break – included at Snabba Snigeln)
Teachers (and ABB sponsors?) evaluate ABB projects – Room R2-015
Free evening
Friday April 8th – Room: Case (R2-131)
Students check out from Hotel Aabrin
09.15 – 12.00 ABB Project Presentations
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch at Snabba Snigeln (included)
13.15 – 16.00 ABB Project Presentations
16.00 – 18.00 Teachers/ABB grade presentations in Room R2-015
Students’ free afternoon – students check in at Hotell Västerås
19.00 - - Farewell dinner at Restaurant Bellman (http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/bellman)
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Saturday April 9th – Departure
Land NAME Departure time Västerås
DENMARK Uldum, Christina (F) - Teacher 6 april, 09.30 LITHUANIA Adomavičius, Benas (M) - Teacher 6 april, 16.35 NORWAY Ingeborg Marie Nordbø (F) - Teacher 7 April, 08.35 ICELAND Magnusdottir, Inga Maria (F) 9 april, ? ICELAND Stefansdottir, Katrin Helga (F) 9 april, ? ICELAND Hjaltalin, Stefan Jens (M) 9 april, ? NORWAY West, Ole Martin (M) 9 april, ? NORWAY Lange, Randy Gunnar (M) 9 april, ? NORWAY Böhmer, Benjamin (M) 9 april, ? ICELAND Larsen, Fridrik (M) - Teacher 9 april, ? FINLAND Pajari, Anna (F) - Teacher 9 april, ? DENMARK Pørtner, Christian (M) 9 april, 08.05 DENMARK Skorupskaite, Gintare (F) 9 april, 08.05 DENMARK Raykov, Bogdan Ivanov (M) 9 april, 08.05 ESTONIA Lill, Mariliis (F) 9 april, 11.20 ESTONIA Kallas, Gea (F) 9 april, 11.20 ESTONIA Ulm, Lauri (M) 9 april, 11.20 FINLAND Lampinen, Saana (F) 9 april, 11.20 FINLAND Takala, Maiju 9 april, 11.20 FINLAND Joensuu, Juhamatti (M) 9 april, 11.20 LITHUANIA Dagys, Agnius (M) 9 april, 11.20 LITHUANIA Stonys, Tomas (M) 9 april, 11.20 LITHUANIA Padaiga, Povilas 9 april, 11.20 ESTONIA Siirde, Virve (F) - Teacher 9 april, 11.20
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3 Test, projects, presentations, evaluations and grading
3.1 Multiple choice test (20%) On Saturday April 2nd 2011 you will have a multiple choice test. The test is based on the course literature and will be composed of 30 questions.
Student’s general knowledge on the course literature will be tested. However, a more specific knowledge will be required on chapters; 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 from the book Corporate Social Responsibility: Challenges and Practices, by Dobers P. (ed).
Also the following article A three-Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Social Performance, by Carroll, A.B. (1979)" and book chapter 4: The History and Meaning of Sustainable Development, in Accounts and Accounting for Sustainable Development, by Bebbington, J. (1999), as questions on those will be more detailed.
3.2 Company/Country presentation (40%) On Saturday April 2nd you will make your company/country presentations.
Presentation requirements • Time of presentation: 20 min / questions 10 min • All students must take part in the presentation. • Attire should be “Business professional” • Presentation must be ready on presentation computer before the presentation day starts. No changes are allowed after the day starts. • It is recommended that students submit a slide handout to evaluators. • If students decided to use their own computers, it is their responsibility that the computer works in the presentation room.
3.2.1 Evaluation and grading Grades are given by the teachers, both the written report and the oral presentation. The criteria for the written report are; - Use of course literature (choice and application of references) - Use of relevant empirical sources - Critical perspective (independence and evaluation of information) - structure - style - references - use of figures and tables - The criteria for the oral presentation are; - Organization (clear, concise) - Creativity - Visual aids (coordinated with content, easy to interpret and read) - Stage presence - Topic knowledge (mastery of content, research depth) - Summary (recommendations, conclusions)
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3.3 ABB project (40%) During the intensive week you will work with a project in multicultural teams. You will be three to five students in each group and there will be a total of five groups. This examination task is made in cooperation with the international company ABB and will give you an opportunity to learn from working with real company cases and to get an insight how a company deals with sustainability issues.
You should read and find information about the subject and prepare questions for ABB. All cases are related to ABB’s sustainability work and each group work with one case. The groups will have the ability to be guided by a person from ABB (ABB sponsor) in their group work and you will during the intensive week meet this person at ABB or call this person in order to get information etc.
You will also have a lecture by Lena Westerholm, Country Sustainability Controller and responsible for the sustainability department at ABB Sweden where she will present ABB’s sustainability work and engagement throughout the world.
The course literature should be related and incorporated in the group task when you analyse the sustainability work by ABB and how it could be improved. What does the literature say about the studied issue etc.?
3.3.1 Report The ABB project will be presented in a written report, 10 pages (appendixes excluded), Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1 ½ line spacing, 2,5 cm. margins. The ABB report should comply with the same formal academic standards as in the country/company report. The written report should be handed in to the teachers on Thursday April 7 at 12.00, 2011.
3.3.2 Oral presentation and power point material The oral presentation will be on Friday April 8th 2011 where each group present their project work for the teachers and the ABB sponsors. The presentations should be prepared with power point and notes. This power point material will also be handed over to ABB. It is important that you show references to the empirical material and literature in both the report as well as in the power point/notes material since ABB will be able to go deeper in order to find more information later on.
3.3.3 Evaluation and grading The teachers will grade the written report and the oral presentation during the intensive week with the same criteria as for the Company Report. The ABB sponsors will also grade the report and the oral presentation in regards to the practical usefulness of your work for ABB.
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4 Swedish Survival Kit
Below follows some useful information about Sweden and Västerås.
Weather forecast: http://www.yr.no/place/Sweden/V%C3%A4stmanland/V%C3%A4ster%C3%A5s/long.html
4.1 Living Costs 1 EUR = 8,94 SEK (March 30th, 2011)
In most restaurants and bars, a beer will cost you SEK 40-50 (EUR 4-5 ), a glass of wine perhaps a little more. Dinner starts at around SEK 100-150 (EUR 10-15) drinks not included. Eating out at lunchtime is cheaper; expect to pay somewhere around SEK 55-85 for a meal including a soft drink, salad and tea/coffee. An average monthly budget is set out below to give you some idea of the cost of living in Sweden.
Food: SEK 2,000. Accommodation: SEK 3,200. Local travel: SEK 500. Telephone/internet: SEK 300. Insurance, medical care and hygiene: SEK 250. Student union fee: SEK 60-70. Clothing, hobby/leisure, other: SEK 750. Total: SEK 7,070, or about EUR 750.
4.2 Medical insurance for Nordic, EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland If you are a citizen of any of the Nordic, EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, you have access to essential health care if you register beforehand at a social insurance office in your home country and obtain a European Health Insurance card. If European health insurance cards are not yet issued in your country, ask for a form E128, or a form E111. Hereby, you would pay the Swedish patient fee.
Students that do not register with their social insurance office in their home country need to arrange their own insurance coverage. This is also best done in your home country. Medical treatment is expensive without any form of health insurance. (all info taken/copied from www.studyinsweden.se)
4.3 Call Services If you wish to use a mobile phone in Sweden there are many operators to choose from. The main operators are: Telia, Tele2 (Comviq), Telenor and Tre. You can buy pre-paid calling cards in most of shops and kiosks. The logos of the network(s) are usually displayed outside. Students usually buy Tele2 Comviq Kompis, which makes it free to call to other Tele2 customers.
Calling from a mobile phone International format for a Swedish mobile number is +46 123 412 34.
Calling from a fixed line To call an international number, dial 00-country code-number.
Emergency calls from mobile phones and fixed lines: 112
4.4 Social Life Swedes tend to be active and sporting activities are popular among students. Sporting clubs and societies organize a wide range of activities on campus at most universities and university colleges. Taking part in these activities is probably the best way to meet new people and take a break from studying.
Other natural meeting points are clubs and pubs on and around campus. Many of these serve drinks and food at affordable prices. The legal age for drinking in Sweden is 18. Some establishments – mainly in the bigger cities – may only admit people over 20 or 23.
A lot of people go out for a drink at the weekend, and there can be long queues from early on outside the more popular places. Some nightclubs charge an entrance fee, usually ranging from SEK 50 to 150. (all info taken/copied from www.studyinsweden.se)
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4.5 How are the Swedes? Every country has its own distinctive characteristics. What you find most peculiar about Sweden will obviously depend on your own cultural background. Sweden has long been an open and accepting society and international influences have shaped and enriched Swedish culture.
As in all cultures, however, many old customs and usages remain; foreigners may at times find these unusual, puzzling or even amusing.
Swedes are generally held to be punctual, law abiding and respectful of rules and regulations. Smoking, for instance, is not permitted in public places such as restaurants, banks, post offices or in shops. These restrictions are respected. When Swedes wait for something they form queues.
Queuing systems have been installed in many larger shops and most banks and post offices. Customers take numbered tickets from a dispensing machine and wait until their number comes up on a display. Bank clerks will simply ignore you if you don't have a queue ticket. If you're in a large store and there is no queue, look for tickets and a number display. This may seem strange at first but it usually ensures quicker service.
The habit of forming queues may in part stem from the importance attached to egalitarianism in Swedish political thought and practice, which in turn, has permeated most aspects of Swedish society. This is reflected in the large number of women represented in parliament and government but is also apparent in everyday occupations.
For example, people are normally expected to pay for their share when eating out with colleagues or friends, and tend to calculate the exact amount they owe. As a foreign woman you may be surprised to find that your Swedish date does not offer to pay for you. By the same token, Swedish women may insist on paying for themselves. However, many Swedish women still respond positively to a bit of old-fashioned courtship. On the other hand, it is not unusual for men and women to form friendships without being romantically involved.
At first, you may find Swedes a bit difficult to get to know. They may seem distant and reserved. But they can also make loyal friends once you get to know them. As a student living in a student dormitory with access to various student activities, you will have ample opportunity to make friends.
Swedes generally like hobbies and activities and pursuing them together with others is probably the easiest way to meet and get to know new people. If invited to someone's home it is customary to take off your shoes, especially in winter. This custom is upheld more strictly in smaller towns and rural areas. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, it may be a good idea to ask. It is also customary to be on time when invited to a dinner party. Eight o’clock means eight o’clock.
Most people moving to a new country usually find many things confusing or strange at first. This will probably be true of your first time in Sweden. Remember, however, that if there is anything you are unsure of the best thing to do is to ask someone. Swedes are informal and willing to help. This is especially true of young people and students, many of whom have travelled widely themselves. (all info taken/copied from www.studyinsweden.se)
4.6 Meals and Drinks As you can see from the schedule most meals are included: breakfast every day, lunch all days except Sunday (3rd), dinner is included Saturday, Tuesday and Friday. Some drinks are included at dinnertime.
Lunch coupons will be handed out and can be used at the restaurant ”Snabba Snigeln” (The Fast Snail J), which is situated in the Student Union house at the University campus. Other restaurants at campus are Rosenhill and Origo. You can also buy sandwiches and drinks (very cheap) at the Student pub, also situated in the Student Union house. The student pub also serves dinner (and drinks) most nights to a very good price.
For more information about typical Swedish cuisine: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Spain-to-Zimbabwe-Cumulative-Index/Sweden.html
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4.6.1 Alcohol in Sweden
The legal age for drinking in Sweden is 18. In pubs and restaurants you can buy alcohol from the age of 18. However, if you want to buy alcohol at Systembolaget (Sweden has monoply on alcohol, which can only be bought in Systembolaget: www.systembolaget.se) you must be 20 years old and bring your ID-card. In the supermarket you can buy beer up to 3.5% from the age of 18.
4.7 Leisure Activities Tourist information Västerås: http://www.vasterasmalarstaden.se/
Some cultural venues such as theatres or concert halls offer discounts for students. The cinema (www.sf.se) does not - ticket to the cinema is about 100SEK (10 EUR).
4.7.1 Night clubs and bars Some tips:
PLUTO: http://www.plutomatsalobar.com/ SILK: http://www.clubsilk.nu/ (Friday April 1st, famous Swedish singer September) KONRAD: http://www.konrad.se/ Å: http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/arestobar (bar & restaurant) THE CIRCUS: http://www.thecircus.se/ (bar) VARDA: http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/varda (bar & restaurant) BISHOP’S ARMS: http://www.bishopsarms.com/Vasteras/Presentation (bar with large selection of beer and whiskey) STUDENT PUB: no link but is situated at campus PITCHER’S: http://www.pitchers.se/p/c/i.nsf/w?Open&site=2 (bar) TABAZCO: http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/tabazco (bar & restaurant) BANKIREN: http://gastrogate.com/restaurang/bankiren (bar) BILL & BOB: http://www.billobob.se/ (bar & restaurant)
And many more restaurants to explore J
4.8 Survival Swedish NICETIES NECESSITIES PRACTICALITIES How are you? – Hur mår du? / Hur är det? Where is the toilet? – Var är toaletten? I would like… - Jag skulle vilja ha… Thank you – Tack (så mycket) On the left – Till vänster tea – te Sorry/excuse me – Ursäkta On the right – Till höger coffe – kaffe Please – Snälla / Tack Help! – Hjälp! wine – vin Cheers! – Skål! What is your name? – Vad heter du? water – vatten Enjoy your meal – Smaklig måltid (maybe Where is the…? Var ligger…? orange juice – apelsinjuice you have seen in IKEA J) bus station – busstationen bread – bröd post office – postkontoret milk – mjölk CIVILITIES hospital – sjukhuset beer – öl police station – polisstationen fruit – frukt Hello – Hej Do you speak English? Talar du engelska? salt – salt Hi – Tjena I do not speak Swedish – Jag talar inte Svenska pepper – peppar Good morning – God morgon I do not understand – Jag förstår inte sugar – socker Good evening – God kväll Please write it down – Kan du skriva ner det? fish – fisk Good night – God natt I do not know – Jag vet inte meat – kött Goodbye – Hejdå How much does it cost? – Hur mycket kostar det? menu – meny See you! – Vi ses! knife – kniv Yes – ja fork – gaffel No - Nej spoon – sked
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5 Information on Västerås
(all info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A4ster%C3%A5s )
Västerås [vɛstərˈoːs] (English exonym: West Aros) is a city in central Sweden, located on the shore of Lake Mälaren in the province Västmanland, some 100 km west of Stockholm. The municipality has a population of 136,532 inhabitants (2010, www.scb.se). Västerås is the seat of Västerås Municipality, the capital of Västmanland County and an episcopal see.
5.1 History Västerås is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and Northern Europe, and was founded in the year of 990, hence celebrated its 1000 anniversary in 1990. The name originates from Västra Aros, which refers to the estuary of the river Svartån (The Black River). The area earlier consisted of Västra Aros (Västerås) and Östra Aros (today Uppsala)
The area has been populated since the Nordic Viking Age, before 1000 AD. In the beginning of the 11th century it was the second largest city in Sweden, and by the 12th century had become the seat of the bishop.
Anundshög is located just outside the City of Västerås. Anundshög is Sweden's largest burial mound. "Hög" is derived from the Old Norse word haugr meaning mound or barrow. It was built about 500 AD and is over 74 yards wide and is almost 10 yards high.
In the ensuing centuries a cathedral and a monastery were built. The first City Arms date from the end of the 13th century.
King Gustav I of Sweden (later known as Gustav Vasa) called together the riksdag (parliamentary) in Västerås. During the riksdag assembly the decision was made to convert Sweden into a Protestant state and to remove the power of the Catholic Church.
Rudbeckianska Gymnasiet, the oldest gymnasium (secondary school) in Sweden, was built in Västerås by Johannes Rudbeckius in 1623.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the growing of cucumber became popular, and Västerås received the nickname Gurkstaden (the Cucumber City), which it still retains today (you can buy “Västeråsgurka” as a souvenir J).
5.2 Today The city wants to distinguish itself as Västerås - Mälarstaden, meaning "Västerås -- the city by Lake Mälaren", in order to attract tourists and new inhabitants, as well as students to the local university college, Mälardalen University (approximately 16,000 enrolled students in Västerås and in the nearby Eskilstuna). To this effect, the city has started using a designed logo as branding in some official contexts, partially replacing the coat of arms, as well as rebuilding several old harbor areas to make them more attractive to live in.
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Västerås has the largest lakeside commercial and recreational port in Scandinavia on Lake Mälaren. The city also has a skyscraper (see picture to the left) cordially nicknamed "Skrapan" (English: The
Scraper), which has Sweden's highest-located cocktail bar, called Sky Bar, on the 24th floor of the building.
Västerås hosts Power Big Meet, an annual event and the larges veteran car meeting in Europe, where owners of high-powered American cars can meet.
5.3 Industry, Retailing and Trade Västerås is predominantly known as an industrial city, but also a retailing and logistics city.
In 1891, the Turbine House (see picture to the right), a small hydroelectric dam was built on Svartån, in central Västerås. This early electrification encouraged ASEA, a large electricity equipment manufacturer, to concentrate its operations in Västerås, shifting focus away from Arboga. Later, after a merger with Brown, Boveri & Cie, ASEA became ABB. As a result, Västerås was home to its Swedish headquarters (see picture below).
Other major industries include transportation like Bombardier with several distribution centres, coppersmiths Outokumpu Copper and IT.
One of the historical reasons that made Västerås a city is its trading-friendly location by the river Svartån and lake Mälaren. The city remains one of the main logistical centers in Sweden due to its central location in the densely populated region Mälardalen and favourable infrastructure connections with railways, waterways and highways.
Amongst others, ICA AB has one of its main distribution centres located in Västerås. Västerås is also the birthplace of multinational clothing retailer H&M, their first store was opened in the town centre, in Vasagatan, in 1947.
For more information on Västerås and it’s history: http://www. vasterashistoria.se/sv/ http://www.vasteras.se/omvasteras/historia/Sidor/historia.aspx
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5.4 Some pictures
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