Welcome to University Guide for International Students 2020/2021

FALUN BORLÄNGE

STOCKHOLM

A University That Makes a Difference du. – Knowledge Makes a Difference se DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 1 Table of Contents

Hej (Hello) and Välkommen (Welcome)...... 4 About This Guide...... 5 Checklist...... 6 One University – Two Campuses...... 8 Study Information...... 10 Travel To and Within Dalarna...... 14 Housing/Accommodation...... 16 Money Matters...... 18 The Fun Free-Time Stuff...... 20 Study in Dalarna A–Z...... 22 Contact Information...... 28

2 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 3 And with Hej and Välkommen, so begins your first lesson in Swedish. Here is a Hej (Hello) and short list of some particularly everyday words: Hej Hello Välkommen (Welcome)! Hej då Good bye Hur är det? How are you? Bra Good We would like to offer you a warm welcome to the international Inte bra Not good community at Dalarna University. It is our sincere wish that you Vad heter du? What’s your name? Ja Yes have a wonderful experience studying with us here in the beautiful Nej No Tack Thank you province of Dalarna in central . Tack så mycket Thank you very much Jag förstår inte I don’t understand • School of Humanities and Media Studies WE STAND FOR… To hear how to pronounce these and • School of Technology and Business Studies … openness, courage, and responsibility, other Swedish words, visit ­­­bab.la. This and it is these three core values that form … at our two campuses, Campus Borlänge online dictionary lists many languages for our vision as we aim to create open pathways and Campus . We also deliver many quick translation into Swedish. to knowledge for a good society. Naturally, of our courses online in real-time, ­Dalarna University being nationally recognised as a we also stand for equal rights for everyone, *Photo by Parcilla DuPreez regardless of background, religion, ethnicity, pioneer in this field, with its well-established disability, sexual orientation, or any other Next Generation Learning Centre (NGLC). status, and we welcome you all. Your Vice-Chancellor at Dalarna Uni­versity is Martin Norsell. You will likely see him around WE ARE… campus and will certainly meet him at the start About This Guide … a small, modern university located in of the semester at the Welcome Ceremony. central Sweden that together with our We want you to get off to a good start, which is why we put partners, local and global, works to create knowledge that makes a difference. Further, together this guide. we are an international group of employees, from countries as far apart as New Zealand Our hope is that it will provide you with detail some important aspects related to your and Canada, China and , Mexico and some general information on such subjects as studies and life in general, and concludes with Bangladesh. When it comes to our approx- studies, uni­versity facilities, housing, cost of an alphabetical list for your easy reference. imately 15 000 students, about 5 000 study on living, health insurance, activities, and events. Chances are you will still have questions, which campus – and we are delighted to say that you It is not meant to be all-encompassing, but we is why we provide a contact list on the back too are now one of them! nonetheless hope you find what you are look- cover so that you can email us for answers. ing for within its pages and encourage you to Let’s start with a checklist that you can look OUR RESEARCH AND read every page. As a guide, it should be useful at in your home country while prepar­ing to EDUCATION… to you both prior to your arrival at Dalarna come to Sweden. … are conducted in our three schools: University and during your time here. • School of Education, Health and Martin Norsell The Guide for International Students 2020/2021 Social Studies Vice-Chancellor at Dalarna University begins with a few pages that outline in relative

4 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 5 Checklist

We don’t want you to forget anything, so here are a few key questions to consider prior to your departure:

HAVE YOU… checked your courses/programme on our learning platform Learn checked, if you are a fee-paying student,  (see page 12)? that you have paid your tuition fee? checked your course schedules in Time checked, if you are an exchange student,   Edit (see https://cloud.timeedit.net/ that you have been admitted to your hda/web/public)? courses on www.universityadmissions.se and have you prepared your learning created a user account and registered agreement (see page 24)?  for your courses/programme? You can register for your courses two weeks checked if you need a residence permit/  ahead of the course start (see visa (EU/EEA students do not need www.du.se/registration and page 11). one) (see page 25)? booked our pick-up service for when organised your housing and paid the   you arrive (see www.du.se/pickup and necessary deposit (see page 16)? TIPS page 15)? • Don’t forget any medication you might need during your stay. updated your European Health Insurance • Check your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. Card (EU citizens) (see page 24)? • Inform your bank about your stay in Sweden to help avoid any banking issues. • Pack a nice outfit for formal occasions. read up about insurance issues • Also be sure to pack some warm clothes. (see page 24)? • Check to see if you need an adapter for your electrical appliances. • Bring your driving licence if you plan to drive here.

6 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 7 CAMPUS BORLÄNGE CAMPUS FALUN Campus Borlänge houses the School of The School of Education, Health and Social Technology and Business Studies. We educate Studies and the School of Humanities and tomorrow’s professionals in Sustainable Tech- Media Studies are both housed at Campus nology and Engineering, Economics, Business, Falun. They offer courses and programmes in Graphic Design, Human Resources,­ Tourism the Humanities (including 12 language depart- Develop­ment, and Computer Sciences. ments), Media Studies, Social Sciences, Natural Campus Borlänge is located about a Sciences, Health Care, Medicine, Sport and 10-minute walk from the town centre. It is Fitness Sciences, Education, Sociology, Social close to Kupolen, the largest indoor shop- Work, and Political Sciences. ping centre in Dalarna, where you can find Campus Falun is located about a 20-minute restaurants and shops. Also within walking walk from central Falun. It is close to the distance are IKEA, supermarkets, a gym, popular Lugnet Nature Reserve as well as a and Norra Backa, which is a large outdoor wide range of sporting facilities including shopping centre. Two main student housing skiing and walking trails, outdoor and indoor areas, Korstigen and Mångatan, are a few swimming pools, and outdoor and indoor minutes’ walk from campus. tennis facilities. There are a number of res- taurants around campus, and an ICA Maxi One University supermarket is within close walking distance. – Two Campuses Campus Borlänge and Campus Falun are located some 50 minutes by bus from REGULAR OPENING HOURS each other. Both campuses aim to provide you with the best study environment BORLÄNGE FALUN that will lead to your optimum study results. Both campuses have a library, Outside Doors 06.15-18.00 (Mon-Fri) 07.30-17.00 (Mon-Fri) computer labs and wifi, cafés (Campus Falun also has a restaurant), kitchen Reception/Help Desk 08.00-16.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.00-16.00 (Mon-Fri)

facilities (sinks, fridges, microwaves), meeting rooms, and study rooms. Your We regularly update our calendar on du.se/en with any changes to our regular field of study will determine where – that is to say, which campus – your clas- opening hours (for example, when staff are on training days). You can also visit ses will be held. With the key card you receive upon arrival, you will be able du.se/academicdates to see the changes to opening hours on public holidays. to enter campus buildings outside the regular opening hours.

8 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 9 Study Information

Semester Start: AUTUMN SEMESTER 2020 Introduction Day for New International Introduction Day and Students: August 28 See www.du.se/welcome, a webpage with up-to-date Welcome Ceremony Welcome Ceremony for All Programme information for our new The Introduction Day and the Welcome and Exchange Students: August 31 international students. Ceremony mark the start of your studies at SPRING SEMESTER 2021 Dalarna University. You will learn more about the University, meet your future classmates, Introduction Day for New International and find out about your new home in Dalarna. Students: January 18 Welcome Ceremony for All Programme and Exchange Students: January 20 Semester Dates Course Registration Student Ladok You need to register online for each course, and This is a student administration system used The autumn semester always begins in late The Swedish word termin means semester this you can do two weeks before the start of the by Swedish universities and university colleges August or early September and ends in (or term) in English. specific course. First, though, you need to get an to manage student data. On Student Ladok, mid-January; the spring semester always Hösttermin (ht20) = autumn semester 2020 activation key and create a Dalarna Uni­versity you register for your courses, apply to receive begins mid-January and ends in early June. Vårtermin (vt21) = spring semester 2021 user account by following these steps: your Transcript of Records, see your study The Swedish word semester means These are the dates for the autumn semester results, etc. The link to Student Ladok is holiday in English. 1. You order an activation key by emailing 2020 and spring semester 2021: [email protected] and including the sentence student.ladok.se. • Autumn semester 2020 begins August 31, “I am a new inter­national student and 2020 and ends January 17, 2021. would like a key (nyckel).” Include your • Spring semester 2021 begins January 18, name and date of birth. You will receive an My Pages 2021 and ends June 6, 2021. email with the activation key. You can access My Pages by first clicking on “Student web” at the top right of our 2. You then create a user account (your For other semester dates, see www.du.se/en homepage. On My Pages, you electronic identity) on: activate.du.se. www.du.se/academicdates. can, for example, register for your exami- 3. You can now register for your courses on nations, update your Dalarna University Student Ladok. account, and find links to such resources as For more details about registration, see Student Ladok. www.du.se/registration.

10 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 11 • 1 Swedish credit = 1 ECTS credit thesis work. If you are registered in a course, • 1.5 Swedish credits = one week’s you have the right to teaching and/or super- full-time studies (approx. 40 study hours) vision during the time stated for the course. • 1 academic year = two semesters After that time, your right to teaching and/or (5 months each) or 60 credits supervision ends. • Most courses are 7.5 credits Courses can be taught consecutively – that is to Plagiarism say, one after another –­ while some are taught Plagiarism is a serious academic offence. In concurrently – that is to say, two or more at a simple terms, it is cheating. It is when you time. Your overall expected workload, which use somebody’s work and make it appear as includes classtime, private study, and assess- though that work is your own. For example, ment, will be about 40 hours per week for you copy sentences from some­body’s book or full-time studies. from a website, include them in your own text, Final examinations are held after each course and do not write where they came from or Reception desks at and not only at the end of the semester. who really wrote them. It can also be when you Campus Borlänge translate the words of others and present those and Campus Falun words as your own by failing to provide a refe- Teaching Formats rence. A further example is if you copy from or Here is a short list of a number of teaching use a classmate’s essay and present the copied formats that we use: text as your own: even if the other student has said you can do this, it is still not permitted

LABS: and is still considered plagiarism. lab exercises in small groups that provide you Support Services Learn – Learning with practice and hands-on experience in what To detect plagiarism, teachers use ­advanc­ed software. If you are found to have cheated, We want to help make your study experience is being taught in class. Platform then your teacher will report you to our a positive one and therefore offer a number of Learn is our web-based learning platform LECTURES: Disciplinary Board. Unfortunately, we see services: that we use for administrative and teaching for large and small groups in our lecture halls cases of plagiarism every semester: the result is • Help Desks, Support Services, and Reception purposes in all our courses and programmes. that are equipped so that lectures can be suspension, meaning that the student cannot Desks (with technical questions and general Each course has its own course room on Learn streamed live to our online students. Lectures attend class anymore, cannot submit work, questions): you can visit us at the reception where you can find recorded lectures, the are also often recorded so that you can replay and cannot take examinations. Ultimately, areas at both campuses or email name(s) of teacher(s), lecture notes, the litera- them at your convenience.­ then, the student fails the course. If the student [email protected]. ture list, schedules (timetables), the syllabus, ONLINE EDUCATION: received a scholarship, then he/she may lose • Student Counselling Services for person­ al­ articles, students’ names, etc. You submit your Dalarna University has invested greatly in that scholarship. and study issues; Office for Students with work and receive it back with grades here too. online education and can offer students a Disabilities; Language Services for help with Talk to your teacher if you are in any doubt See www.du.se/en/learn for an intro­duction complete online learning environment: see written English and Swedish; and Repro about this important subject. film and manuals. Learn – Learning Platform on page 12. (printing): see www.du.se/studentservices. • The library also has a number of services, SEMINARS: such as e-books, academic writing informa- Education System for smaller groups so as to encourage and allow for quality interaction between students tion, talking books, and study rooms: see When you study full-time in Sweden, you will and teachers. These can take place online or www.du.se/library. take courses each semester that equal 30 credits in classrooms. If in doubt about who to contact, visit the – i.e., 4 x 7.5 credit courses. university reception desks or email Swedish universities use a credit system THESIS SUPERVISION: regular individual meetings between you and [email protected]. as follows: your teacher to discuss the progress of your

12 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 13 TAXIS TRAINS – SJ (STATENS JÄRNVÄGAR) If you don’t or can’t make use of the pick-up Trains also run between Borlänge and Falun, service, you may need to take a taxi: but if campus is your destination, then the bus is both easier and cheaper. Trains are great for Borlänge: Borlänge Taxi Service 0243-131 00 more long-distance travel, taking you through- TaxiKurir Borlänge 0243-170 70 out Dalarna and Sweden. One thing to note is Travel To and Falun: Koppartaxi 023-630 00 that you cannot buy train tickets on board but TaxiKurir Falun 023-153 00 must buy them online in advance: see www.sj.se or download the SJ app. Within Dalarna Travel in Dalarna The train company Tåg i offers Borlänge has one station for both buses and a summer pass (sommarkortet) for travel trains: it is called Resecentrum and is located in five provinces: see The location of Dalarna makes for easy travel, with several trains in central Borlänge. Falun, on the other hand, https://sommarkortet.tagibergslagen.se/. leaving daily from Falun/Borlänge directly to Stockholm/Arlanda has separate train and bus stations: the train CARS Airport and vice versa. station is called Resecentrum and the bus station is called Knutpunkten. Note, however, You could always hire a car as a transport that some buses run from Falun’s Resecentrum. alternative. Sometimes students group Arrival at Arlanda together to hire a car so that they can visit BUSES – REGIONAL BUS less-accessible places: just google the usual Airport COMPANY DALATRAFIK Hertz, Avis, etc. to check availability. Most of our international students arrive Dalatrafik runs frequent If you plan to drive, remember to bring your at Arlanda Airport and then take a train to buses between Borlänge and driving licence that shows your photograph. Dalarna. Falun and to other towns in If your licence is not in English, German, or French, you may need to get a certified After landing, look for Sky City, a central zone Dalarna. To travel from translation. Note that foreign driving licences between Terminals 4 and 5 with shops and campus to campus are only valid for a limited time in Sweden. restaurants. There you will find SJ railway (a 50-minute trip), you can take Find more information on ticket machines; however, it’s best to book bus 153 from Högskolan Svärdsjögatan www.transportstyrelsen.se/en/road/ ahead online on www.sj.se, as it is cheaper and in Falun to Studieplan in Borlänge. It’s worth Driving-licences (Swedish Transport Agency). you will get a seat guarantee. We recommend knowing about how to use tickets in different zones and the cost of tickets between zones: that you buy the more expensive­ ticket that BICYCLES (SECOND-HAND) you can change last minute just in case your for this, see the Dalatrafik website: www.dalatrafik.se. Smart Fart happens to be the name of the flight is delayed or you have baggage issues: Falun business that refits old bicycles to resell look for “Rebookable” when you purchase For occasional trips, buy a resekort that you at affordable prices. (Just to be clear, Smart online (ombokningsbar in Swedish). put credit on: it remains valid indefinite­­ly. You can buy a resekort and tickets on the bus; Fart translates loosely into the English “smart A lift/escalator from Sky City takes you to the Arrival in Dalarna however, you cannot pay with cash for travel speed”.) Smart Fart aims to reduce the number underground railway platform. From there, the PICK-UP SERVICE between Borlänge and Falun due to the high of cars on the road and wants everybody to be train takes 2 hours to Borlänge and 2 hours 20 At the start of the semester, we offer interna- number of passengers. You can also choose to able to own their own bicycle. See minutes to Falun. On board, there are always tional students free pick-up from the download the Dalatrafik app (again, see the www.kopparstaden.se/smart-fart. toilets, most often food and drink services, Borlänge and Falun train stations and take Dalatrafik website). If you have the Mecenat You can also search for bikes on www.blocket.se, and usually free wifi. you to the housing you have organised in card or app, you can receive a discount: see a website that lists a great deal of second-hand For long-distance buses: see advance. Book the pick-up service online at Mecenat Card on page 25. items. Be sure to choose the province Dalarna www.masexpressen.se and www.flixbus.se. www.du.se/pickup. in the filter function.

14 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 15 Housing/Accommodation

It is important that you organise your accommodation as early as possible because the University is limited in how it can See our webpage for more information: assist you and cannot guarantee you find housing. Saying that, www.du.se/accommodation. we do work closely with local companies and coordinators to make your search easier. *Photo by Jonny Mansfield

The housing companies we collaborate with The housing coordinators we work with are FURNITURE COST OF LIVING both have websites with information specifically located in Borlänge and Falun, and can help Tunabyggen student rooms are usually furnished for students: you find alternative housing: you can email The following is an average monthly budget (their descriptions will tell you). Kopparstaden, for a Dalarna student – but of course any • Tunabyggen (Borlänge) them at [email protected]. meanwhile, works with a company from such budget depends on a number of www.tunabyggen.se/boinfo/student which you can rent furniture. If you need to lifestyle factors: MONTHLY RENT • Kopparstaden (Falun) buy furniture, then great, affordable (and good Food: 2 000 SEK www.kopparstaden.se Now to the cost of housing! The following are for the planet!) places to go to are second- Housing: 4 070 SEK examples only, just to give you an idea. What hand shops: see Second-Hand Shops on page 26. FIND ACCOMMODATION: you end up paying may vary: Local Travel: 550 SEK (monthly bus card for unlimited bus travel within one town) FIRST STEPS • Tunabyggen in Borlänge: a furnished room LAUNDRY FACILITIES Phone/Internet: 300 SEK • First register online with Tunabyggen or with shared bathroom 2 608 SEK; a furnish- Tvättstuga is a word you’ll soon recognise as Hobby/Leisure (Miscellaneous): 1 450 SEK Kopparstaden so that you are placed in their ed room with private bathroom 3 817 SEK. it means “laundry facilities” (“wash cottage” housing queue. Rent includes the cost of broadband. June is the literal translation). All student housing TOTAL: 8 370 SEK and July are rent-free months. • After this, you can apply for specific housing and apartment buildings have laundry faci­ Based on www.studyinsweden.se/life-in- (you will need to submit your admission • Kopparstaden in Falun (all student rooms lities, normally in their basement. As a tenant, sweden/cost-of-living. document from www.universityadmissions.se have their own bathroom): in the “Britsen” you book time on the washing schedule, and If you live in Falun and study at Campus as part of your housing application). building – a furnished room 3 726 SEK; an it is common for the cost of laundry to be Falun or live in Borlänge and study at unfurnished room 3 466 SEK Campus Borlänge, then generally speaking • Registration in their queue does not mean included in your rent. In a private household, • A room in somebody’s house: 3 000 to 4 000 SEK you’ll likely just agree on a time when you can you can walk from home to campus, guaranteed housing: it means you are in the meaning you can subtract the “Local • Your own apartment: 4 500 to 6 000 SEK do your laundry. queue and off to a good start. Travel: 550 SEK” above from your budget. • Towns and villages outside Falun/Borlänge: Another website – www.studentdalarna.se slightly cheaper perhaps, but keep in mind the – lists private housing alternatives alongside cost and time of travel what Tunabyggen and Kopparstaden can offer.

16 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 17 *Photo by You x Ventures

CASH Sweden is well on its way to becoming a cashless Some Social society, with about 80 percent of transactions and Everyday being electronic. Many businesses­­ no longer accept cash, so don’t be surprised to see the Considerations sign kontantfria, which tells you this is the case. in Sweden Always have a credit card on you. Money Matters • Punctuality is important: avoid being EXCHANGE late to avoid any problems. • Lunch is usually eaten between noon At Kupolen, the indoor shopping centre in If you are studying for longer than 12 months, you can apply to and 13.00. Borlänge, there is a Forex bank for currency receive a person­nummer (personal identity number): see page 25. exchange and other financial services, and • Always remove your shoes when you enter somebody’s house: it’s you can find ChangeGroup in Falan Galleria Once you have this, you can open an account at any bank. disrespectful not to. in Falun. They will charge a fee for trans­ actions, so be sure to enquire how much an • Smoking is not allowed inside a Without a personnummer, things become a building; nor is it allowed at outdoor TAKE THE FOLLOWING WITH exchange will cost you. bit trickier, as some banks may not let you restaurants or within 15 metres of an YOU WHEN YOU GO TO OPEN A entrance way to a public building (the open an account. What can make it easier is CASH DISPENSERS (ATM) if you have a samordningsnummer: Dalarna BANK ACCOUNT: same rules apply for e-cigarettes). Called bankomat, you will find these in University can help you get one of these. For • University documentation showing • Swedes schedule their activities by downtown areas and, for example, shopping more information on samordningnummer, admission and period of study week numbers – week one, week two, centres: to withdraw money from an ATM, see page 25. • Residence permit (if applicable) etc. – throughout­ the year rather than • Valid ID (passport) you can use your Visa Card or Mastercard. by dates. Our previous students who did not Be aware that there may be a withdrawal fee. • Address information • In, for example, banks and phar- have a personnummer opened accounts macies, you will often see a ticket • Swedish ID card (if you have a with ­Handelsbanken or Danske Banken.­ SWISH machine as you enter. Be sure to take Handelsbanken has offices in Borlänge and personnummer) Swish is a standard form of a ticket as the number on it indicates Falun, while Danske Banken has an online When you leave Sweden, remember to close payment in Sweden: you’ll your number in the queue. bank account form (www.danskebank.se/ your bank account; if you don’t, you may see the sign for “Swish” at • Cyclists aren’t being rude when they privat/bli-kund/forms/blikund/blikunden) incur fees. many businesses. It is an app ring their bells to let you know they that applicants who do not have a Swedish for sending direct and imme­ want to pass: they just don’t want to personnummer­ can complete and submit. CURRENCY diate payment to a person or cycle into you! If you will be studying for less than one year in Sweden uses öre and krona (singular)/kronor business using their telephone number. But • And on that subject, don’t walk on Sweden and want to open a bank account, then (plural), which can be written SEK, sek, or not even every Swedish resident has swish, so cycle paths: be sure to keep to the we suggest that you contact Danske Banken. kr: for example, 200 SEK, 200 sek, or 200 kr. businesses will invariably accept cash and/or a ones for pedestrians. Every krona is worth 100 öre. credit card as well.

18 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 19 The Fun Free-Time Stuff

We have a webpage specifically about events and activities that may inspire you to take a trip to a lake for a picnic or to attend For upcoming events in the a music festival or an autumn market in a neighbouring town. region, see www.visitdalarna.se. That webpage is www.du.se/activities.

*Photo by Paul Gilmore There won’t be time for you to do everything, while you are here. What is more, they will *Photo by Per Bifrost but a good start is to check out Public Holidays almost always mean a change to university and try to go to the various events organised to opening hours and telephone hours. Informa- celebrate some of them in local communities – tion about such changes can be found on our more often than not they are free of charge. homepage www.du.se/en.

STUDENT UNION (STUDENTKÅR) *Photo by Paul Gilmore The Introduction Day and Welcome Ceremony 2020 are follow­­ed by a range of activities put on by October 31: All Saint’s Day (Alla helgons dag) the Student Union. It’s worth getting involved December 24: Christmas Eve (Julafton) with the Student Union as it provides an easy December 25: Christmas Day (Juldagen) way for you to meet other students and to sign December 26: Boxing Day (Annandagen) up for activities and clubs. For a small fee, you December 31: New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton) Luciadagen marks the oncoming can become a member and receive a Mecenat winter months and is celebrated card, which will give you discounts on a num- 2021 Midsummer in Dalarna with song and candlelight ber of products and services: see Mecenat Card January 1: New Year’s Day (Nyårsdagen) on page 25. January 6: Epiphany (Trettondedagen) The Student Union also has another important April 2: Good Friday (Långfredagen) IMPORTANT DATES role, and that is to work to ensure the high April 4: Easter Sunday (Påskdagen) The following days may not be public holidays, but they are dag/dagen = day quality of courses and programmes, and to April 5: Easter Monday (Annandag påsk) still firm fixtures in the traditional Swedish calendar: våffel = waffle advocate for students at meetings with uni- April 30: Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton) March 25: Våffeldagen kanelbulle = cinnamon bun versity management: see www.dalastudent.se/ 7 weeks before Easter: Fettisdagen (Semlor Day) international-student. May 1: First of May (Första maj) kräftskiva = crayfish party May 13: Ascension Day (Kristihimmelfärdsdagen) In August: Kräftskiva semlor = and PUBLIC HOLIDAYS June 6: Swedish National Day (Nationaldagen) October 4: Kanelbullens dag -paste filled buns It is good to know about Sweden’s public June 25: Midsummer Eve (Midsommarafton) December 10: Nobeldagen Nobel = when the Nobel holidays, as often they involve some kind of June 26: Midsummer Day (Midsommardagen) December 13: Luciadagen Prize is awarded celebration that you really should experience

20 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 21 on your computer, phone, Ipad, etc. See www. du.se/campus-internet. For assistance with this, Emergency and Study in Dalarna A–Z you can visit the Help Desk (one at each campus) Non-Emergency Numbers or email [email protected]. Be sure to bring your There is one direct number for all emergency and Amazon when it comes to the purchase of passport with you as ID is necessary to verify services – ambulance, police, fire department – Alcohol course literature. You can also check the various and it is 112. If you need to call it from a public You must be over 20 to buy alcohol in the only your account. Wifi is also available on buses information boards around campus that students phone, there is no cost. shop that is authorised to sell it, namely between Borlänge and Falun, as well as in most use to advertise their old course books. Students Systembolaget. Low-alcohol drinks – 3.5 % and cafés and shopping malls, etc. Most often, internet In non-emergency situations, such as a stolen can also ad­ ­vertise their old course books on less – are available in other shops. You may be connection is included in your rent for student bike or lost wallet, call the police on 114 14. Marketplace, which is found on My Pages. See housing, but this you will need to confirm with asked to prove your age, so take ID with you, In non-emergency illness situations or for health page 11. the accommodation owner or manager. such as your passport. Of course, alcohol can advice, call 1177 to speak to a health specialist. be bought at restaurants and pubs, as well as at Cinemas (Bio) – licensed events – just don’t be too shocked at the Contact Information See back cover. Examinations prices that can be high because alcohol in, for BioPalatset in Borlänge and Most courses include at least one written examina- example, restaurants is taxed at 25 percent. Filmstaden in Falun Daycare (Dagis) tion, and you need to register for these on My Pages Another thing: don’t drink alcohol in public Both BioPalatset and Filmstaden are located Also called förskola (preschool), dagis is a form that you can link to from the top right of www. places, except on licensed premises, as this is downtown. You can see what’s playing by ­visiting of childcare for children aged 1 to 5. You apply du.se/en. Log onto My Pages; click on My Studies against the law and can result in a fine. www.filmstaden.se or by downloading­ their app. for a place for your child by contacting your local and then Register To Sit an Examination. Do this at Choose your town, and there you can book a seat. municipality office: for example, Falu Kommun the latest ten working days before the examination Allemansrätt The price per ticket is about 120 SEK. or Borlänge Kommun. date. You will then receive confirmation to your university email account that you have registered. Meaning “right of public access”, allemansrätt BioPalatset, Borlänge – Borganäsvägen 48 is well-established and respected in Sweden, Filmstaden, Falun – Östra Hamngatan 16–18 Dentists Most courses also include a variety of examination and grants you the right to use public/private Dental services are provided by Folktandvård: forms, such as presentations and group work. The land and waterways for activities like hiking or Clothing you can find your closest dental clinic on information about what applies in your course can swimming as long as you do so in a respectful If you’re from a warm climate, then our autumn www.folktandvården.se. Where it says “Hitta din be found in the specific course syllabus. manner. There are some obvious limitations, may well feel like your winter and our summer klinik” (Find Your Clinic), type in either Borlänge such as do not walk on somebody’s garden or like your autumn. What we’re trying to say is that or Falun. You can pay for treatment with your Food (Mat) swim in the lake close to somebody’s house. See you might find it a bit cold here, and you’ll need to credit card or bank card. Ask for a price before If you’re looking to taste something that is www.sweden.se. consider your clothing accordingly: coat, umbrella, treatment, just so you know what to expect. typically Swedish, then here are some ideas: and waterproof footwear for autumn; thick coat, inlagd sill (pickled fish), knäckebröd (crispbread), Bicycles warm boots, scarf, and hat for winter. And don’t Drugs köttbullar (meatballs), ärtsoppa (pea soup), pytt Sweden is a bike-friendly country, with bicycle forget a nice outfit for the special events you may There is no tolerance for drugs – use or posses- i panna (small bits of fried potato and meat, paths and routes in most if not all urban centres. attend while you’re here! sion – and that includes marijuana and cannabis. often served with a fried egg), ostkaka (a sort of There are some rules you need to follow, such as do Penalties are severe: anyone found guilty of either cheese-), and prinsesstårta (a A great, affordable, and sustainable way to add not cycle in pedestrian areas; dismount when cros- using or possessing drugs may receive a fine or with cream and a thick marzipan overlay). to your wardrobe while in Sweden is to buy at sing roads on pedestrian crossings; and be sure to even a prison sentence. second-hand shops: see Second-Hand Shops in On the drinks front, Swedes often serve påsk- have a bell, light, and reflectors. For information on this list. must at Easter and julmust at Christmas: they second-hand bicycles, see page 15. Eduroam See Computers, Internet, and Wifi in this list are the same dark, malty soft drink that sells in Books (Course Literature) Computers, Internet, and Wifi for information on Eduroam, the University’s millions of litres when it arrives in shops. Teachers provide information about course lite- There are student computer labs (datorsal) on wifi service. On weekdays at lunchtime, you’ll see signs for rature in the course’s specific online Learn room both campuses that you access with your keycard Dagens lunch: this translates loosely as Dish of (see Learn – Learning Platform on page 12). Look (see Keycard in this list). Eduroam is the wifi Electricity the Day and is often the best-priced alternative for the Course Information tab in the left-hand service available on both campuses (as well as in Electrical outlets in Sweden use the “schuko” on the menu. There is often a meat option, a menu when you have entered the Learn course many public places, such as train stations and all standard and adapters can be bought at local fish option, and a vegetarian option. Usually, a room as that is where you will find information other Swedish universities). To access Eduroam, companies in Dalarna if necessary. salad bar, bread, non-alcoholic drink, and coffee about books. you will need your uni­versity username and are included in the price of around 100 SEK. A password. You will also need to install a certificate We often direct our students to Adlibris, Bokus, vegan option may also be available.

22 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 23 card will show your photo, which is taken by Help Become a member of the Student Union and they 18.00, although the ICA Maxi apotek in Borlänge Health Centres (Vårdcentral) Desk staff. You need the card to enter university can apply for one for you. Saying that, you don’t is open 07.00 to 22.00, and the hospital apotek When you need to see a doctor, you first call a buildings after regular hours, as well as for prin- have to become a Student Union member as you in Falun (Falu lasarett) is open 08.00 to 20.00 vårdcentral to book an appointment. There are a ting and library services. Although the university can always simply apply for your own card: it costs weekdays and 09.00 to 19.00 at the weekend. See number of vårdcentral in Borlänge and Falun, and keycard shows your photo, you cannot use it as 200 SEK per semester and 300 SEK for a whole year, www.du.se/medical. you can find the one closest to you on www.du.se/ ID outside the University. and can be used for discounts on, for example, buses medical. You will often be able to choose an English and trains, and in shops. See www.mecenat.com/se. Plagiarism message system alternative when you call, but if you Laundry Facilities See page 13. cannot, call 1177 Vårdguiden (Health Guide): there See Housing/Accommodation on page 17. My Pages you can receive advice from a healthcare professio- See page 11. Police (Polisen) nal. In the case of an emergency, you will need to go Learning Agreements See Emergency and Non-Emergency Numbers. In to the emergency ward (Akuten) at the hospital. This is a document for Erasmus exchange stu- Newspapers non-emergencies (such as theft), call 114 14. dents coming to Dalarna University. First you – Dalarna’s local newspapers are printed by Hospitals (Sjukhus) an Erasmus student – need to submit it to sup- Dalarnas Tidningar (DT). The largest national Postal Services The regional hospital, Falu lasarett, is located in [email protected], after which Dalarna University will newspapers are Dagens Nyheter and Svenska You can buy stamps, and send parcels and letters Falun, not far from Campus Falun. The Borlänge email you a signed copy. You can also have your Dagbladet. Aftonbladet and Expressen are the from supermarkets and petrol stations that have hospital, meanwhile, is located just outside town learning agreement and confirmation of arrival two evening papers. If, though, you do not yet a postal service outlet. You’ll see yellow postboxes on Bergebyvägen 5, which you can get to on the (as well as forms from your home uni­versity) throughout town for the sending of regular let- number 2 bus from Borlänge town centre (about know enough Swedish to read those, then you signed at the reception desk, both campuses, after ters. These also show the time of collection. a 10-minute trip). can always read news about Sweden in English your arrival. on www.thelocal.se. and in simple Swedish on www.8sidor.se. Public Holidays Insurance Libraries (Bibliotek) See page 20. PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE Dalarna University has two well-equipped Parking on Campus As a registered student at Dalarna University, libraries where you can work, meet fellow stu- Visitors can park for free in the designated visitor Residence Permits If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA/Nordic you have free Personal Injury Insurance coverage dents, and borrow study materials, as well as read parking (Besökande) areas. Just be sure to write country, then you will need a residence permit to during your study time, and even during your newspapers and magazines: each library also has your car’s registration number in the parking study in Sweden. You submit your application for a commute to and from campus. This is provided a small café either in it or right beside it. To access book at reception. If you are a student, ask at the residence permit online to the Swedish Migration by Kammarkollegiet. services, be sure to have with you your university reception for a parking card that you display in Agency (Migrationsverket), which evaluates your keycard. On www.du.se/library, you can find your front windscreen. It is valid for one semester HEALTH INSURANCE residence permit application in collaboration­ with information about our opening hours and servi- and is free of charge. Our international students have certain health ces, as well as a calendar listing scheduled events the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate. You insurance coverage for during their studies. and lectures that you are welcome to attend. Personnummer must be admitted to full-time studies and have See www.du.se/insurance for more detailed paid your tuition fee for your first semester (if The towns of Borlänge and Falun have their own information. (Personal Identity Number) applicable) before you can apply for a residence public libraries where you can find CDs, DVDs, If you’re going to be a student for longer than permit. See www.migrationsverket.se for detailed and, of course, books and newspapers. Look out EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE 12 months, then you can register in the Swedish information on this subject. CARDHOLDERS for events and activities that they are hosting Population Register at the Tax Agency (Skatte- If you are from an EU country, apply for a advertised on their notice boards and websites. verket) and receive a personnummer. Having this Samordningsnummer European Health Insurance Card in your country They are also well supplied with books and media number facilitates life in Sweden simply because before you depart for Sweden as you will need to for learning Swedish if that is something you are you need it in so many everyday contexts: for (Coordination Number) To be clear, a samordningsnummer does not serve present this when seeking medical care in Sweden. ­interested in doing. They may well offer language example, even a shop discount card can require a the same function as a personnummer, and it has cafés for informal conversation in Swedish as well: personnummer. See also Samordningsnummer. be sure to ask! limited benefits. It is used by public agencies and Internet organisations to identify you, even though you See Computers, Internet, and Wifi in this list. Pharmacies (Apotek) www.bibliotek.borlange.se are not registered in Sweden. www.bibliotek.falun.se An apotek is where you pick up prescriptions and Keycards other health-related products. Staff there can If your study period in Sweden is less than 12 To access and use uni­versity facilities, you need Mecenat Card also provide basic medical advice (note that the months, you can get a samordningsnummer. The a keycard, and this you get from the Help Desk This is the discount card for students and also an University does not have its own medical staff). receptions at each campus can help you in your (at both campuses) after you have registered. The official ID showing that you have student status. Apotek opening hours are generally 10.00 to application for a samordningsnummer because

24 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 25 an organisation must apply for one for you: you Friskis&Svettis. These have student prices, and summer as can -30 C in the winter (even colder in cannot do so on your own. See also Personnummer. both have facilities in Borlänge and Falun. Television the mountainous areas of the province). The standard TV channels in Sweden are SVT1, In Borlänge, you have Maserhallen and Aqua SVT2, and TV4, and rather than being dubbed, Second-Hand Shops Nova for swimming (simhall). In the winter, hit Wifi There are a number of great local second-hand any non-Swedish programmes normally have See Computers, Internet, and Wifi in this list. the slopes at the downhill skiing centre Romme shops that sell furniture, clothes, footwear, house- Swedish subtitles (a great way for you to learn Alpin. There are also running trails (motionsspår) hold items, toys – the list is in fact almost endless. the language!). Work in Sweden in a number of areas, which become cross-coun- Some even have small cafés with well-priced Many of our international students want to find try skiing trails in the winter. As well, there are drinks and simple food. work in Sweden as a way to finance their studies. badminton halls, curling halls, football pitches, Sweden has one time zone only and observes You need to be aware, though, that only a handful In Borlänge you can find the following second- tennis courts – the list is long. See www.borlange. (CET). It observes Day- of our students are ever able to find jobs that do hand shops: Ta Till Vara, Emmaus, Myrorna, se/uppleva-och-gora. light Saving Time (DST), which means setting the not require knowledge of Swedish. Eriks Hjälpen, and Röda Korset (Red Cross); in In Falun, there is the Lugnet sporting facility, clocks one hour forward in spring and resetting Falun, you have PMU Second Hand Ingarvet, Ta You need also to be aware that you must be able with swimming pools (simhall – indoors and them one hour back in autumn. Till Vara, and Röda Korset. to keep up with your studies if you do get a job: outdoors), gym (Actic), and halls for indoor The main thought with DST is to make better use the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) Shopping games such as badminton and floor hockey. In of daylight. requires proof that you are passing your courses, Popular among our money-smart students are the winter, you can access cross-country skiing and if you fail to do so, you may not be allowed to the grocery chains Lidl and Willy’s. ICA, Coop, trails; in the summer, these are walking trails Tourism Information remain in Sweden. Dalarna is a hugely popular area in Sweden when and Hemköp are three alternatives. As for clothes, through the Lugnet Nature Reserve. A tennis hall it comes to tourism. On Visit Dalarna’s website For examples of available jobs: Kupolen, the largest regional indoor shopping close to campus offers three indoor courts, with (www.visitdalarna.se/en), you can find a host • www.academicwork.se/jobbsokande/interna- centre, is close to Campus Borlänge. And don’t three outside courts in the summer. In the winter, of activities listed. A calendar of events is also tional-applicants forget all the second-hand shops! Lake Runn has kilometres of ploughed trails specifically for both cross-country skiing and provided, showing week-to-week ideas that cater • www.studentconsulting.com/en REGULAR OPENING HOURS ice-skating: a truly Scandinavian experience! See to a range of interests throughout the year – for • www.studentjob.se (Swedish webpage) • Shops (not supermarkets) – www.falun.se/gora--uppleva.html. example, markets, sports car meetings, cruises on • www.platsbanken.se 10.00 to 18.00 weekdays; 10.00 to 16.00 Lake Runn, horse-riding, carboot sales, outdoor Saturdays; noon to 16.00 Sundays Swedish yoga, skiing events – and the list goes on. Most Swedes speak English, but knowing some • Kupolen Shopping Centre in Borlänge – 10.00 Swedish is always useful. You can apply to take a Travel to 20.00 weekdays; 10.00 to 18.00 course at the University (at a cost for fee-paying See page 14. Saturdays; 10.00 to 18.00 Sundays students). You can also take a free online course at • Supermarkets (for example, ICA Maxi, Stora https://learningswedish.se/courses/11. Water COOP, City Gross) can be open from 07.00 to Tap water is clean, ready and safe to drink! 23.00 Swish Consider filling a reusable bottle: cheaper than A FINAL THOUGHT • IKEA Borlänge – 10.00 to 19.00 weekdays; 10.00 See page 19. buying bottles of water and definitely better for to 18.00 Saturdays; 10.00 to 18.00 Sundays the planet! We really hope that you found Telephones this information helpful and that Smoking Prepaid SIM cards, which can be topped up either Weather it answered at least some of your You cannot smoke inside any public building, nor online or in select shops such as supermarkets, Winter days in Sweden are short and some questions. You would be doing inside your student apartment. There are also rules 7-Eleven, and Pressbyrån, are what most interna- people find them rather dark. In this small part us – and future students – a great for when you are outside: for instance, you cannot tional students use. You can use your phone from of Sweden, Dalarna, the sun doesn’t rise until favour if you could let us know smoke within 15 metres of a building entrance nor your home country with a Swedish sim card. after 09.00 on the longest winter days, and it can how it can be improved. Please at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, and this • Calls from Sweden: 00 plus the country code – be dark as early as 15.00. However, come the email us at [email protected] applies even in the case of e-cigarettes. e.g., 00 44 to the UK summer, it can be light until well past 22.00, with with your thoughts. the sun rising at 03.00. • Calls to Sweden: +46 plus the local code – e.g., Have a great time here in Sweden Sport Facilities the local code for Borlänge is 0243, so from While the average winter temperature (Dec – Feb) If you’re the sporty type, then there are many and especially here at Dalarna your country you dial +46 243 (you drop the is -7 C and the average summer temperature is +20 options open to you. University! zero) plus the telephone number C, there can be extremes: +30 C can happen in the Let’s start with the two main gyms, Actic and

26 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY DALARNA UNIVERSITY | 27 Contact Information

Dalarna University: www.du.se/en Dalarna University Student Union: www.dalastudent.se

UNIVERSITY SUPPORT SERVICES With all questions – [email protected] and 023-77 88 88

EMERGENCY SERVICES Police, ambulance, fire:112 (24 hours) Non-Emergency Services Police: 114 14 (24 hours)

USEFUL LINKS Housing:  www.kopparstaden.se (Falun) www.tunabyggen.se (Borlänge) www.studentdalarna.se (both towns) Swedish Migration Agency: www.migrationsverket.se Swedish Tax Agency: www.skatteverket.se Swedish Railway (national trains): www.sj.se Dalatrafik (local buses): www.dalatrafik.se Borlänge Municipality: www.borlange.se : www.falun.se General Information about Sweden: www.sweden.se General Study Information: www.studyinsweden.se Visit Dalarna (tourist information): www.visitdalarna.se

TELEPHONE: +46 (0)23-77 80 00 | DU.SE

FACEBOOK.COM/DALARNAUNIVERSITY

INSTAGRAM.COM/HOGSKOLANDALARNA

YOUTUBE.COM/DALARNAUNIVERSITY

28 | DALARNA UNIVERSITY