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Orientation #

The orientation period is designed to help you quickly acclimate to life in Stockholm. All activities are mandatory, and students are expected to arrive on time and participate fully. Please note that the orientation period includes a mandatory overnight trip to an island in the Stockholm Archipelago. This trip is a student favorite and the cost is included in tuition.

Orientation Schedule #

Orientation lasts for four full days, with two days on campus at SSE and two days on a beautiful island in the Stockholm archipelago. You will receive your orientation schedule via email before arrival and receive a printed copy in your Welcome Kit. After you get access to your swedishprogram.org Google account, you can also find the schedule on Google Calendar.

Traveling to and from SSE #

Directions to SSE #

Orientation activities on campus are held in the main SSE building (address: Sveavägen 65) and the Saltmätargatan building (address: Saltmätargatan 13-17). You will travel to SSE via public transportation using your green SL transit pass. Don’t stress about using Stockholm’s public transit system – you’ll get the hang of it quickly! Don’t be scared to ask for help from another traveler or a station worker if you’re confused or unsure. The most important step of your trip is leaving early so that you have enough time to find your way.

We recommend this route, which typically takes 30–40 minutes:

  1. From your apartment, walk to Spångavägen bus stop and take bus #112 or #157 one stop north to Spånga station. When the bus arrives, tap your green SL card against the card reader to pay your fare. Make sure you take a northbound bus. The stop for northbound buses is located on the same side of the street as your apartment complex (see the map below) and their final destination is usually Spånga station (#112) or Lunda industri (#157).
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  2. At Spånga station, get off the bus and enter the station, then take pendeltåg (commuter train) #43 or #43x two stops south to Odenplan station. When you enter Spånga station, tap your green SL card against the card reader to open the turnstile. Make sure you take a southbound train. These trains are usually on track #2 and their final destination is usually Västerhaninge via Stockholm C. If you’re not sure if you’re getting on the right train, ask someone!
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  3. At Odenplan station, get off the train and walk to SSE (approx. 8 minutes) OR take green line tunnelbana (subway) train #17, #18, or #19 one stop south to Rådmansgatan station. To walk to SSE, use the station exit for Odenplan and follow the route in the map below. The walk takes about eight minutes. To take the subway, follow the signs in Odenplan station to the tunnelbana (subway) tracks, which are located two flights up from the commuter train tracks. Take green line train #17, #18, or #19 one stop south to Rådmansgatan station. Make sure you take a southbound subway train. These trains usually have a final destination of Skarpnäck (#17). Farsta Strand (#18), or Hagsätra (#19). When you arrive at Rådmansgatan station, get off the train and use the exit for Handelshögskolan (the Stockholm School of Economics), which is directly in front of SSE’s main building at Sveavägen 65.

Map of the walk from your apartment to Spångavägen bus stop (northbound buses):

Map of the walk from Odenplan station to SSE:

Arrival at SSE #

When you arrive at SSE, you need to use your white SSE key card to enter the building. On the first day of orientation, staff will meet you in the atrium of the main building at Sveavägen 65. Unlock the main entrance (the large wooden doors) by holding your key card against the card reader to the right of the doors. Go up the stairs and use your key card again to enter the glass doors leading to the atrium. In the atrium, gather by the blue Swedish Program sign and wait for a staff member to guide you to the correct room.

For an accessible entrance with elevator access, enter from the back of the building at Bertil Ohlins Gata 4.

Directions Home from SSE #

When you head home, you can take the same route in reverse:

  1. From SSE, walk to Odenplan station (approx. 8 minutes) OR take the tunnelbana (subway) green line train #17, #18, or #19 from Rådmansgatan station one stop north to Odenplan Station. Make sure you take a northbound train. These trains usually have a final destination of Alvik or Hässelby Strand.
  2. At Odenplan Station, take pendeltåg (commuter train) #43 or #43x two stops north to Spånga station. Make sure you take a northbound train. These trains usually have a final destination of Bålsta. If you’re not sure if you’re getting on the right train, ask someone!
  3. At Spånga Station, get off the train and walk home (approx. 10 minutes) OR take bus #112 or #157 one stop south to Spångavägen bus stop. Note that the bus stops at Spånga station are located outside on ground level. Make sure you take a southbound bus. Southbound bus #112 departs from bus stop G and typically has a final destination of Alvik. Southbound bus #157 departs from bus stop K and typically has a final destination of Danderyds sjukhus. When you arrive at Spångavägen bus stop, you will be on the opposite side of the street as your apartment complex.