Another option

[reppu]

Grad school in Sweden. I am considering this. Anyone have any opinions or experiences here? Looking at Lund University's Asian Studies program or Uppsala's History program. Each program is just one to two years (depending on which Masters degree I choose to get), which is a much more manageable commitment than seven years for a PhD. That's not to say that I don't want to continue my studies with a PhD (I mean, really, what can I do with a Masters in Asian Studies?), but it's free? The programs feel more like enrichment and a taste of what's to come, like an appetizer, rather than the full course of a doctoral program.

But Sweden is cold. Damn man, can I not get away from cold temperatures?

Comments

[reppu.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear that Lund doesn't get snow. I like the sound of their Asian Studies program, though it doesn't seem like it has a language requirement, which is a turn-off. About how warm does it get around there? Also, this whole "student union/student nations" thing is a bit interesting. You have to join a union, but the nations are optional, am I correct? It's all kinda confusing to me!

Mind if I ask you a couple of questions about Uppsala? What did you study while you were there? As far as applying goes, I figure I might as well apply. I don't see where it'll cost me anything but time, and it's a simple application, so why not? I can always make the final decision if I get accepted, right? :D

[seaster.livejournal.com]

Ahh, well, it's Sweden, so it's probably still cold to you. ^_^; Southern Sweden in the winter... A few degrees above the freezing point and a lot of rain?

About unions and nations, did you read this at Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Students%27_union#Sweden
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nations_at_Swedish_universities

Everyone studying in Sweden have to be part of the Student Union, but as far as I know, only Lund and Uppsala have the Nations. It's basically a club that arranges activities and stuff. I think membership was mandatory (at least when I went to school), but there are free Nations if you're not interested in that kind of stuff.

Go ahead and ask whatever you want about universities. :3 At Uppsala, I studied Assyriology, which is the history and language of ancient Iraq.

Also: good choice of universities? They're both considered top schools here in Sweden. :3

[reppu.livejournal.com]

I can deal with above freezing. I can even deal with -3C. I think my limit is about -10C, and I don't like cold wind. I mean, where I live, it gets to about 4 or 5C every winter, so I'll always be a bit spoiled on that end.

I read about the Nations and Unions on Lund's website, but I think I can manage the small fee to be a part. Do you have to participate, or can you just be a member on paper? The wiki page said unions also have restaurants and housing and stuff; I'd assume that you can only being in the housing if you're a union member, but does the same qualify for restaurants and shops? I wouldn't think that it would.

Also, how is diversity at those two universities? Of course, I'd assume the majority of people are Swedish, but are there like, African-Swedes or something? I'd just like to know; I lived in Japan, after all, so it's not like I need to be surrounded by foreigners, but it is nice to know where to find them. ^^;;

As for Uppsala, there's not much information on the English page about their History program. I have no idea if they even have an East Asian section for historical study. Is it okay to just e-mail professors in Sweden? I know that some professors in America prefer that you go through other offices before you e-mail them, so I figured I'd ask about that first! Right now, my top choices are Lund's Asian Studies program and Uppsala's History program, but Uppsala requires more forms (a statement of purpose and a one-page thesis, what is that?).

And how easy is it to get by in Sweden without being able to speak Swedish? I took German once upon a time, so I don't shake in my boots when I see it. I think it would be interesting to learn, but I'm not gonna know it right off the bat. I always strive to speak to people in their original language, but is English well-spoken in Sweden?

You're a lifesaver, thanks for helping me!