Exchange Report. Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden. Thomas Jin - Spring 2016 EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN

Transcription

1 Exchange Report Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden Thomas Jin - Spring 2016 EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 1

2 Part I - Monthly Activity Log 2016 Jan Getting familiar with the environment Shop for necessities Attended orientation in mid-january Commencing of 1st period in mid-january 2016 Feb Attending courses Attending school activities Exchange banquet Parties Cruise trip to Latvia Exploring nearby regions Road trip from Stockholm to Gothenburg Train trip to Copenhagen Road trip in Iceland 2016 Mar 1st period exam Exploring Western Europe Visited Barcelona Visited Italy Road trip across Tuscany county 2016 Apr Intensive study Weekend trip Netherlands 2016 May Intensive study Exploring Central-Eastern Europe Road trip across German, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic 2016 Jun 1st period re-exam 2nd period exam Return to Hong Kong EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 2

3 Part II - General Exchange Information VISA Procedure - Do it early!!! Online application at: Apply for residential permit Require to submit university insurance policy Invitation for document photo and finger print scan will be sent within 1-2 weeks Residential permit will be sent within another 1-2 weeks Orientation Activities 2-day brief introduction to the followings: The school, exchange program and student activities Go-to persons for different matters Living necessities (SIM card will be distributed) Stockholm city (bus tour) Student culture (pub night + exchange party) International Services & Activities Go to student association website to find out more: Swedes are quite welcoming and will extend lots of invitations if networking well Accommodation Lappis Shared campus with other universities minutes bus ride (Route 50) from SSE c.180 sqft single room with a bathroom Basic furniture including bed, mattress, shelve, desk, chair, wardrobe Centralised heating, but not quite warming Shared living room and kitchen with other 10 students on the same floor Recently renovated with new fridge, heating plate and oven Has a supermarket, a pizza restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a barber Monthly rental around 4000 SEK; c.25,000 SEK for the entire semester Search for Lappis on Facebook for second hand market and events Saltis Only for SSE students 5 minutes walk from SSE, closely to city centre Double room with a bathroom Basic furniture same as Lappis room with strong heating system Indoor kitchen One shared living room and kitchen for the entire hall EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 3

4 Course Registration Always check for credit transfer Need to be done before arrival, but free to swap afterwards Master courses are available (good for finance students) Two courses per period (in total four for the semester) are recommended Teaching & Assessment Methods In general Each course has 2-4 sessions per week Some courses have seminars (similar to tutorials) for assignment discussion Assignments count towards participation, including written and presentation In general no mid-term, final exam determines the grade (re-exam allowed) Per course (personal experience): 3307 advanced financial analysis Master Accounting course Very senior and experienced professor Requires good accounting background Assignment: 1 practice question per topic (some needs group work) Assignment: requires literature reading (tested in exam) Final exam: 4 hours for 5 questions c.70% pass rate 4312 M&A: value, corporate structure and control Master Finance course New professor, HKUST P.h.D Newbie friendly Assignment: one case per lecture, active participation required Group work: one M&A pitch game Final exam: 3 hours for 1 M&A case analysis Experienced classmates, most worked in banks and consulting houses c.90% pass rate 4320 quantitative methods for corporate finance Master Finance course Two professors covering different topics Require good finance and econometrics background Assignment: two excel assignments and two R assignments Final exam: 3 hours for 1 excel and 1 R work (similar to assignments) c.60% pass rate EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 4

5 8063 execution - running your own company Undergraduate course Senior professor Assignment: establishing and refining a business idea Assignment: requires literature reading (tested in exam) Final exam: 3 hours for 3 essay questions c.95% pass rate Sports & Recreation Facilities There are various chain gyms near school: SAT, Nordic Fitness, Friskis, Fitness 24/7 Similar package, monthly admission c.1,500sek Other activities found at student association website: Cost/Expenses Excluding clothing and travel: Rental: c.25,000sek in total Transportation: c.550sek per month (student SL card) Mobile plan: c.50sek per month (comviq 1GB surfing plan) Food: c.5,000sek per month Social Clubs/Networking Opportunities Go to student association website to find out more: Health & Safety Medicine can be found at Apotek however at expensive price Suggest to prepare common medicines in Hong Kong Pay attention to food safety, especially during travelling Food Cold sandwich/salad can be distributing in winter time Try to have hot food whenever possible Eat-out price almost double that of Hong Kong, better cook at home Recommended restaurants: Bakfickan, Akkurat restaurang & bar Transportation In and Out of Stockholm: Arlanda airport, Skavsta airport Within Stockholm: subway and bus, accessible with SL card Taxi/Uber: in general 1 second costs 1 SEK (use with caution) Other county: regional bus and train departing at Stockholm central Climate In January/February the temperature can be as low as -20 C EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 5

6 Be careful of wind If travel to Northern Sweden, expect the temperature to drop further Remains in -10 C to 10 C range until April Can rise above 20 C when summer approaches Be mindful of sudden temperature drop IT & Communication Saltis has access to eduroam Lappis has access to LAN Mobile data package can be found at convenient store at cheap price Financial Matters Bank account services only open for Swedes residents Debit/Credit card are widely encouraged in Sweden In many parts of Europe, a 4 digit PIN code is require, check with card bank Use cash for daily, small amount purchase Do not use exchange service in Sweden, the service charge can be as high as 15% If plan to travel to other parts of Europe, bring Euro in small notes (i.e. no 500) Cautionary Measures Please refer to cautionary tips in Health/Safety, Climate, Food section EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 6

7 Part III - Checklist Things to bring Clothing: Down coat / technical jacket / windbreaker Formal suits / shirts / shoes (for banquet and formal occasions) Thermal inner ware Sweater Scarf, knit cap, and gloves Thick socks Boots Spring clothing (for their summer) Household stuff: Blanket Recommended to purchase below items in IKEA upon arrival Bed sheet, linen, pillow and pillow cover Electronic appliances, kitchen ware or furnitures second hand market Personal care: Common medicine Ginger powder (useful when having running nose) Electronics: Universal adaptor and chargers Camera Laptop Places to buy stuff Hong Kong food / ingredients: Asian market Medicine: Apotek Household stuff: IKEA, Clas Ohlson Clothing: H&M If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to ask for my from bmugexch@ust.hk. Wishing you a wonderful experience in Stockholm! Thomas Jin EXCHANGE REPORT - THOMAS JIN 7