Andrei Neculau

In today’s (n.r. June 23, 2008) Svenska Dagblade (Dagens Nyheter too), an article was published stating that this autumn a bill introducing tuition fees for higher studies in Sweden will be under vote. If it will get the necessary votes, then starting January 1st, 2010, at the latest, Swedish universities will ask for a tuition fee and they will also be able to give scholarships. Who said all that? Lars Leijonborg, the current Swedish minister for Higher Education and Research.

The Local covered this story as well, but in a light English version.

The Press Release of the Swedish Government on this topic can be read in English.

After just one day of votes, an SvD poll shows 9000+ people answering YES! to the question Is it right to impose fees for overseas students?

There are also negative voices around starting from the chair of the Swedish association of student unions, and ending with the universities themselves. You can browse some comments on thelocal.se here and here.

This action probably also related to the increasing number of foreign students, especially due to a presumed high number of Pakistan applicants (50% of the total international applicants), which puts a pressure on the centralized system, that the system obviously cannot or can hardly cope with.

On July 27, The Local stepped up and provided a round up of all the Swedish news and positions regarding the tuition fee.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you got admitted, then the following is what would be of interest to you.

Read the rest of this entry »

How to join:

1. Create a Facebook account!
   This will not only allow you to join the studera.nu community made of 400+ prospective students or former applicants, but will also give you the chance to search for you friends, interests, upload photos and more.
   Obviously, skip this step if you already have an account.
   -
2. Go to our Facebook Page!
   The page includes a members’ list, a discussion board, related events, etc.
   -
3. Become a “fan”!
   You will find a link in the upper right corner of the Facebook page.
   This will make you a rightful member of the community and will allow you to receive important updates.
   -
4. Read the Rules of Conduct!
   No, I mean it - please read the rules. It will save you and the administrators from unpleasant situations.
   -
5. Enjoy and spread the word!

And now the story behind it!

After starting to write about my experience related to Higher Studies in Sweden, there were lots of comments. And comments,.. and comments.

My blog was named by the people a “blogorum” (blog + forum).

After creating 3 pages in order to facilitate the loading of the comments by dividing them, it was clear that the small community of around 50-75 people should move to a forum, or a discussion group.

So three months after writing the first piece on my application to Swedish universities, on April 11, this is what I was writing as a note on the newly created Facebook page:
Read the rest of this entry »

If you support the action of the following petition, please sign it.
Your e-mail address will act as a unique signature.

A strong statement is needed for a change!
YOU are needed to make a strong statement!

Read the rest of this entry »

I will now take my experience about the admission even further.

So now you have just sealed your envelope with your application documents, and you have meticulously chosen an express courier.

Read the rest of this entry »

2007-2008 is my last bachelor academic year. I will get my degree this summer.

In January 2008, I have started a page on my former blog, concerning the process of applying to Masters at Swedish Universities. Quite unexpectedly there has been a lot of interest, and comments have been flowing from people wanting to study in Sweden as you see by looking at the PDF archives of the stream: part 1, part 2, part 3.

Today, I’m taking a step forward by moving the topic on my “new online home” and by slowly taking the discussions to a nice framework - a Facebook page.

Please read carefully the lines bellow, as it may become useful for you as a prospective student to Swedish Academics, especially if you do that through studera.nu (the National Admissions Office).

Read the rest of this entry »