Uppsala is a vibrant, student-centric place to live.
With approximately 40,000 students out of a total
population of 190,000, Uppsala's student life is impossible
to miss.
Swedish students live in a variety of arrangements throughout
the town. Most international students typically secure their
housing via an arrangment between their home institutions
and
Studentstaden, a large housing firm that
rents thousands of units across town. The most common
locations for international students are
Flogsta,
Ekeby,
Kantorsgatan
and Hotel Uppsala.
The majority of student socializing takes place in the
nations. The nations are centuries-old
institutions that can be loosely described as fusions of
student union, museum, concert hall and fraternity house. During the days the nations host a variety of
events, including day tours, sports, and the traditional
Fika,
or extended coffee hour. Fika is a major daytime
attraction and is generally very well attended both by
those who come to socialize and those who come to study.
In the evening the nations transform into the centers of
Uppsala's nightlife. All of the nations have pubs that are
open throughout the week and most of the nations run weekly
dance clubs, often with live music. International students
frequently work alongside Swedes in these establishments
at night to earn extra money as well as for the unique
experience they provide.
