Parents and Guardians
We are excited to welcome your student to Stockholm! Please consider this page a resource for information and support.
Our Approach
We ask that you partner with us in encouraging your student to take responsibility for their study abroad experience from the start, including the enrollment process, pre-departure preparations, and while in Stockholm. Allowing students to take the lead is critical to ensuring they have the knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to navigate day-to-day life abroad.
Communication
In accordance with FERPA and GDPR privacy laws, we communicate directly with students for all matters related to their semester in Stockholm. In turn, we rely on students to share information with you.
Student Responsibility
We expect students to take responsibility for submitting their forms, keeping track of deadlines, carefully reading our Student Handbook, and reaching out with questions or concerns.
Ask Your Student
If you have a question, please check with your student first. In many cases, the information has already been shared with your student via email or our Student Handbook. If questions remain, please encourage your student to contact us.
Parent Contact
If you are ever concerned about your student’s safety or well-being, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In such cases, our staff in Stockholm will reach out to your student directly to discuss the issue and provide support. Please be advised that such discussions are confidential between the student and staff member.
For emergency services in Sweden, call 112.
This is the number for urgent emergencies (police, fire, and medical services). After seeking immediate help, please contact us.
Cultural Adjustment
It takes time to adjust to a new culture. Students adjust more quickly when they embrace this discomfort and have confidence in their ability to solve problems.
Culture Shock
Many people experience some degree of culture shock when moving to a different culture. It is disorienting when you don’t understand the unwritten rules, values, and customs of your new environment, and even more so when you are away from your normal routine and support systems. The adjustment process varies by individual, but it’s normal to have ups and downs while moving through the stages of culture shock: honeymoon, frustration, adaptation, and acceptance.
Your student’s first inclination might be to stay in constant contact with you. Ironically, constant contact with people at home may only intensify a student’s feelings of isolation. Students are more likely to overcome their initial culture shock when they focus their energy and actions on connecting with their new environment and peers.
What to Expect
Some students find the first few days to be the most difficult, while others find their mood dips after the first few weeks. It is completely normal for students to experience some feelings of homesickness, anxiety, or loneliness during this transition. If you are concerned about your student’s adjustment, please urge them to reach out to our staff in Stockholm for support.
Independence is Key
From their first day in Stockholm, your student will be encouraged to try things on their own. Everyday experiences like going to the Swedish grocery store and navigating public transit will help your student build trust in their own ability to solve problems, which in turn reduces the stress of navigating new experiences. There will be moments of confusion, awkwardness, and “failure” – but working through those moments is a big part of what makes studying abroad so transformative.
Student Well-Being
The well-being of our students is our top concern. Your student will receive detailed information about our health and safety resources in the Student Handbook, but here are a few points to know.
Personalized Approach
As a small program, our staff in Stockholm develop a personal relationship with each student. This allows us to provide personalized guidance and support based on your student’s individual circumstances, needs, and priorities. Staff also conduct individual check-in meetings to ensure each student is adjusting well.
Strong Community
We place a strong emphasis on social connection as part of the cultural experience in Stockholm. In addition to offering numerous opportunities for social immersion, we organize regular drop-in activites to give students a chance to connect with Swedish Program staff and peers. Our alumni often describe this strong sense of community as one of the most unique and important aspects of the Program.
Robust Healthcare
We partner with excellent private healthcare providers in Stockholm to ensure that students have access to high-quality and timely care for their physical and mental health. We also provide health insurance that is specifically designed for students who are studying abroad. You can read more on our Health and Safety page.
Before Departure
You can support your student by discussing strategies they will use to manage their mental and physical health while abroad, and particularly during the first few weeks. Mild physical or psychological disorders that are well-controlled at home can become more serious under the stress of culture shock. Encourage your student to contact our staff with any questions or concerns, or if they want to share additional health information.
Mail and Packages
All mail and packages should be sent to your student’s housing address. SSE does not accept student mail. Please do not send mail or packages to the school, as such mailings will be returned to the sender.
Taxes and Delays Apply
Please be aware that any package that your student receives from a non-EU country, including the US, will be subject to importation fees, taxes, and delays. This applies to all packages, whether personal (e.g., a care package from your family) or commercial (e.g., an order from an online retailer). Your student will be responsible for all applicable costs, paperwork, and coordination with the shipping company and Swedish authorities. You can find more information about importation on the website for Tullverket, the Swedish import authority.
Sensitive Documents
In special cases, students can request approval from the Program Director to ship sensitive documents (e.g., a replacement for a lost passport or credit card) to our office. Students must make the request before the documents are sent and must use the specific address provided by the Program Director to ensure the mail is not returned to the sender.
Additional Resources
Below please find links to additional information that may be useful from Swedish and American authorities.
American Authorities
- The US Embassy in Stockholm
- Travel alerts and warnings from the US State Department
Swedish Authorities
- Polisen: The Swedish police
- Krisinformation: Information from Swedish authorities in the event of a major accident or crisis
Calling Swedish Numbers
To call a Swedish phone number from a non-Swedish mobile phone, dial +46 followed by the Swedish number.
To call a Swedish phone number from a non-Swedish landline, dial 011 + 46 + the Swedish number.
Visiting Stockholm
Recommendations
If you are planning to visit your student in Stockholm, we are happy to provide you with recommended hotels, sights, and restaurants. Click here to download our recommendations.
Student Attendance
Please be aware that we requires students to attend their classes. Absence due to travel, including travel with family, is counted as an unexcused absence. If you intend to visit while classes are in session, please plan accordingly.