BEFORE ARRIVAL

DRESS ACCORDINGLY

Research weather conditions for the seasons you are here.
Pack more practical than fashionable.
Clothes that are good for travelling.
Realistic, usable iteams.

BANKING

It is difficult to get a Swedish bank account. It is not necessary for paying accomodation or take out money (even though depending on the banks, fees could be high), but could be useful for non-European students to set up one and is free of charge ex. Handelson Bank.

Bring a Draft from home to deposit into the Bank account.
No charge for using the debit card.
Also allows for paying rent and bills online without paying to go into town (very simple).

Paying for your accomodation:

You can make an online bank transfer, or do a payment in some establishments of Karlstad;

Forex bank (which is located in the center of the city) allows you to pay by card or cash with a commission of 50 kr.
Closer to Campus, in the same building of Coop, there is a stationery shop where you can pay with a cost of 30kr.

INTERNET

Internet is included in the accommodation.

Bring an ethernet cable from home.
Bring your own router if you want to connect WIFI . It is advisable to bring your own cable router.

(Both these items are quite expensive in Sweden).

MOBILE PHONE

You will be given for free a Telia (the main telecommunication company of Sweden) Sim card. To activate it you only need to pay 50kr
You will get a Swedish number and 50MB/month
However, you will need to put money in the card to make calls.
The activation can be made it in Pressbyran (just in front of university) or Telia Shop from city center.

Ensure you have your phone unlocked before coming to Sweden if you want to use a Swedish Sim-card.

Be prepared for heavy card use whilst in Sweden. Much of the country's commerce and transactions have been digitised.