Sweden is a country alive with the arts and natural beauty, and places a high value on higher education. With its peaceful open spaces and busy, vibrant cities, Sweden has a great deal to offer students studying abroad. They will not find it difficult to assimilate into the land of Saabs and smorgasbords.

Sweden has more than 60 higher education institutions, some more focused on research and others on teaching. Degree programs in Sweden tend to consist of short courses with frequent testing, and higher education institutes are known for an emphasis on research and independent thinking. Academics and industries in Sweden are known for their high degree of cooperation, and "common core" classes unite institutions across the country with their commitment to liberal learning.

Most Swedes speak English, and many courses and programs are taught in the language. More than eight percent of university students in Sweden are international. Students can choose from a wide array of study fields, including art and design, architecture, economics, history, film, humanities and the sciences.

Students interested in studying environmental science and biology will be fascinated by Sweden and its commitment to conservation. Umeå University has excellent degree programs in environmental studies. Environmentally minded students near Stockholm can experience the 12,100-acre Tyresta National Park, which features virgin forests with 300-year-old pine trees. Native animals include moose, elk, bears, wolves and lynx, which live in the forests that make up 57 percent of the country.

Sweden possesses a long tradition of success in science, engineering and invention. The country is home to the Nobel Prize, named after scientist Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite. Uppsala University, which dates back to 1477 and is Scandinavia's oldest center of learning, has a centuries-long tradition as a home of scientific research and Swedish culture. Carolus Linnaeus developed a scientific classification of plants and animals while at Uppsala. Eight Nobel laureates have been connected to Uppsala University, which offers faculties in humanities and social sciences, medicine and pharmacology, and science and technology.

Science and engineering students will also be at home at Stockholm University or Gothenburg University. These institutions carry on the tradition of Swedish ingenuity. Notable Swedish scientists include Baron Jöns Jakob Berzelius, who developed the modern system of chemical symbols and formulas, and Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark, who helped develop dental implants after he discovered that bone would graft onto titanium. Other Swedish inventions include the ATM machine, safety matches, ball bearings and the refrigerator.

Design is another touchstone of Swedish culture and a source of national pride. The Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in southern Stockholm provides a prime destination for students interested in design, art and architecture. These students will learn about the 1930s functionalist movement, whose clean, sophisticated designs blended with modernism to produce a uniquely Swedish aesthetic. Sweden is still known for its practical-minded approach to design, and many Americans will recognize this in the products of the Swedish-based company IKEA.

Besides design, film is the most popular and well-known art form in Sweden. The country has been home to many famous names in cinema, including director Ingmar Bergman, who brought the world such masterworks as "Wild Strawberries" and "The Seventh Seal." Other cinematic natives of Sweden include the actresses Ingrid Bergman and Greta Garbo. Karlstad University has an excellent film studies program.

Studying abroad in Sweden would not be complete without a look at the country's distinctive history. The Sami people were Sweden's first inhabitants, and their art and artifacts are displayed at the Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk. History students will be fascinated by the remains of Sweden's first Viking city, Birka, as well as the Foteviken village. For nearly 200 years, Sweden has prided itself on diplomatic neutrality in Europe and throughout the world. It is famous for its social democratic welfare system, which history and economics students will find interesting as a phenomenon replicated in few other countries.

When it comes to free time, Sweden has plenty to keep students entertained. Numerous music festivals are staged in the country throughout the year, and Stockholm is known for its thriving nightlife. Students can relax at a restaurant and enjoy a smorgasbord, or one of the "dagens," or daily specials. Popular outdoor activities include skiing, hiking and white-water rafting. Stockholm is Sweden's cultural as well as political capital, and students there can visit more than 70 museums, 57 theaters and 129 art galleries. Gothenburg and Malmö are other urban centers, where visitors may spend time shopping or taking in a theater performance. Uppsala and Lund are both vibrant cities dominated by large student populations.

Students who choose to study abroad in Sweden will develop an appreciation for the country, its customs and culture, and the warmth of its people. No matter what the course of study, international students can gain fresh experiences and an excellent education in Swedish universities.

Most Swedes speak English, and many courses and programs are taught in the language. More than eight percent of university students in Sweden are international. Students can choose from a wide array of study fields, including art and design, architecture, economics, history, film, humanities and the sciences.

Students interested in studying environmental science and biology will be fascinated by Sweden and its commitment to conservation. Umeå University has excellent degree programs in environmental studies. Environmentally minded students near Stockholm can experience the 12,100-acre Tyresta National Park, which features virgin forests with 300-year-old pine trees. Native animals include moose, elk, bears, wolves and lynx, which live in the forests that make up 57 percent of the country.

Studying abroad in Sweden would not be complete without a look at the country's distinctive history. The Sami people were Sweden's first inhabitants, and their art and artifacts are displayed at the Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk. History students will be fascinated by the remains of Sweden's first Viking city, Birka, as well as the Foteviken village. For nearly 200 years, Sweden has prided itself on diplomatic neutrality in Europe and throughout the world. It is famous for its social democratic welfare system, which history and economics students will find interesting as a phenomenon replicated in few other countries.

Resources -
IIE Passport: http://www.iiepassport.org
Swedish Ministry of Education and Research: http://www.sweden.gov.se
National Agency for Higher Education: http://www.hsv.se/2.539a949110f3d5914ec800056285.html
Official Tourism Site: http://www.visitsweden.com
U.S. Embassy Stockholm: http://www.usemb.se/
Lund University: http://www.lu.se/o.o.i.s/450
Karolinska Institutet: http://www.ki.se
The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH): www.kth.se
Royal College of Music: http://www.kmh.se/home_en.php
Linköpings University: http://www.liu.se/en