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Lund University is one of Sweden;s largest and most comprehensive universities.

Today it has about 34,000 undergraduates and 3,200 postgraduates. Students can

choose from among some 50 educational programmes and over 800 separate courses.

The University has about 6,500 employees. Two-thirds of them are teachers and

researchers, while the rest are technical and administrative personnel. There

are about 350 professors in roughly the same number of departments and

divisions. The number of professors will now rise as a result of the promotion

reform which took effect in 1999.

The University is divided into faculties, each with a considerable degree of

autonomy. There is a board with overall responsibility for each faculty. The

faculties are: Technology (Lund Institute of Technology, LTH), Science, Law,

Social Sciences (including the School of Economics and Management), Medicine,

Liberal Arts and Theology, and the Performing Arts (the Academies of Music, Art,

and Theatre).

Most of the University departments are located in Lund, but the Academies of

Music, Art, and Theatre are in Malmö, where the university also has several

departments of medicine.

The University Board is the highest decision-making body in the University. It

consists of representatives of teachers, students, and public interests; the

latter are in the majority and are appointed by the government. The government

also appoints the Chair of the Board, who is one of the eight public

representatives. The Vice-Chancellor is also appointed by the government, at the

suggestion of the Board. The Vice-Chancellor is in charge of the management of

the University, responsible to the Board.

Lund University has a strong international profile, collaborating with hundreds

of universities all over the world. Through various agreements, such as the

European Socrates programme, the university sends out about 1,000 students

annually and receives the same number. The University gives more than 200

courses and several master;s programmes in English. In addition, Lund University

is part of the Öresund University, along with ten other institutes of higher

education in Skåne and Sjælland. Öresund University is a collaborative body

whose aim is to further strengthen the development of knowledge in the Öresund

region.

The students underwrite their studies with financial aid from the government,

which amounts to a little over SEK 7,000 per month. Almost 30 per cent of that

is an outright grant, while the remainder is a loan. Postgraduate students can

receive study grants, and have the possibility of applying for postgraduate

studentships.

The Academic Society (Akademiska Föreningen, familiarly known as AF) was founded

in 1830 as an association of university students and teachers dedicated to

upholding the academic heritage and maintaining student traditions. In 1851, AF

constructed the huge building in the Lundagård Park, and since then this has

been the centre of student life.Having survived a number of additions and renovations, AF today is a colossal, labyrinthine structure housing diverse activities: student soirées, revues,

theatrical performances, and formal dress parties. The building also houses the

student radio station, a student museum and archive, the editorial office of the

student magazine Lundagård, lecture halls, a computer room, a bookshop, a

second-hand bookshop for textbooks, a restaurant, the student housing office,

and a number of different student organizations.

The students themselves take responsibility for their living arrangements,

mainly through AF;s housing office (AF Bostäder) or through the various

;nations; or student associations. The housing office has around 5,600 single

rooms and flats in the various student housing estates, but there is a great

shortage of rooms, especially at the start of a new term.

All Swedish university students are required to belong to a student union, of

which there are about 15 in Lund. One of the unions; most important

responsibilities is monitoring the content and quality of the educational

programmes through its representatives on all of the university;s

decision-making bodies.Most of the unions participate in an umbrella organization (LUS) whose duties include dealing with general issues in each of the faculties and representing

the students vis-à-vis the University.

All students at Lund University must by law be a member of a student union but

it is also compulsory to register and become a member in a student nation. The

student union fee covers membership in both a student union and a student

nation.

To many of you the word "nation" means country, but in Lund, the word also means

something entirely different. The nations in Lund are essentially large social

clubs and the heart of student life in Lund, and represent your chance to really

get involved with Swedish student culture. They are NOT like

fraternities/sororities, or specific clubs - they are open to all students and

there are no entrance requirements. The nations originally had two purposes. Students that had moved to Lund from different parts of Sweden could socialise with students from their home regions, meet friends and catch up on local news from home. Like today, there were

parties, social activities and clubs for extra-curricular activities so that you could learn something about life while you were being formally educated by the university. There are currently thirteen nations in Lund, all representing different areas or cities in Sweden.

The other function of the nations had a lot more to do with formal education.

Every nation has a nation inspector (usually a professor) whose original assignment was to make sure, that all the students were keeping up with their studies. Now things are a bit more relaxed, and the inspectors spend most of their time making humorous speeches at parties and formal balls.Like most things, the nations have changed with the times, but their goal

remains to provide students with a good atmosphere, when living and studying in

Lund, and - pleasant memories when their studies are finished. Many of the old

nation traditions are still alive in Lund, e.g., it is the students that are

responsible for the management of the nations, only students work within the

nations and they do so on a volunteer basis, receiving no money - their reward

is gaining knowledge and new experience, while having fun and making many new

friends.

Once you join a particular nation, it is traditional to become involved in the

activities of that nation only, but your student card gives you access to

activities at other nations as well.Being active in a nation will give you the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities and a chance to meet Swedes and experience Swedish culture. The nations offer similar activities, usually based around a nation house, where some of the members live and the nation's office is. As foreign students, you

are encouraged to visit the different nations, feel the atmosphere and join the

one you feel most comfortable with. You will get an opportunity to do this

during the two introductory weeks following Arrival Day, at the beginning of

each semester, when the different nations will organise activities to introduce

themselves. "Hälsningsgillet" is also organised at the beginning of each

semester for new students, and will give you another opportunity to meet

representatives from all the nations .

Every nation has an international secretary whose job is to help you get the

most out of your time in Lund. If you are interested in getting involved with

your nation or just have questions - these are the people you turn to for

information. The international secretaries also organise common activities for

international students and recruit student mentors, "faddrar".

Lunch; You don't have to pay more than SEK 25-35 for a good lunch. Everyday of

the week, there is a nation somewhere in Lund serving a lunch made by students

for students. Good food - good prices.

Café/Brunch; On weekends, you can have a big breakfast, coffee and pastries at

several nations.

Pub & Restaurant Activities; Each nation offers you food and drink at

student-friendly prices, several times per week. Pub evenings often offer live

music, and the restaurants offer great food (made by caring students) at

terrific prices - be sure to make a reservation, as these dinners are popular.

After dinner, the music starts, and so does the dancing!

Nation Magazine; All the nations publish their own magazine with articles by

members, interesting news, nation information and usually a sprinkling of

pictures from the latest party.

Sport Exercise is good for you - it makes you concentrate better on your

studies, not to mention meeting lots of happy, but sweaty people. Many nations

have regular sporting events, ranging from aerobics to volleyball, with more

unusual things like rock climbing every once in a while.

Radio Broadcasting; Most nations has its own radio programme once a week on

Lund's student radio, Radio AF (Akademiska Föreningen) - tune in and listen at

FM 99,1 or 91,1.

Film; Most nations show films once a week, both relatively new releases and older

films. Admission is free.

Parties & Festivities; At the beginning of each semester, most student nations

organise a "Novisch party" to welcome all new members to the nations. During the

semesters, most stu-dent nations also organise traditional parties, for example

the "Kräftskiva" (Crayfish party) in August, "Ålagille" (Eel party) in October,

"Gåsagille" (Goose party) in November, Christmas and New Year parties in

December, "Last of April" festivities to celebrate the end of winter and the

arrival of Spring. In addition, most student nations also organise a ball

sometime during the year, where evening gown and tail-coat is the attire, where

you sit for hours to eat a lovely dinner accompanied by ceremonial speeches, and

then dance until the sun rises. Very traditional, a lot of fun and an experience

for life!

Spex "Spexes" are an integral and very old part of Lund student culture. They

are satirical comic plays, usually about two hours in length. Nation spexes are

amateur productions in which all students may participate. A variety of skills

are required to produce these plays - everything from seamstresses and make-up

staff to actors and musicians. Try to watch one while you're here.

Novisch - name for new students

Expen - the nation office

Fadder - every "novisch" gets a mentor to help them adapt to student life in

Lund

IntK - Internationella Kollegiet

KK - KuratorsKollegiet

Kollegium - committee

Mästeri - committee

Utskott - committee

NATU - The culture committee

Notarie - "book keeper", in charge of scholarships

Pro-Qurator (PQ) - the "vice-president" - one of the students in charge of the

nation

Qurator (Q) - the "president" of the nation - one of the students in charge of

the nation

Sexa- "after-party" party

Sexmästare - the "civil servant" in charge of the "slabbs"

Slabb - dinner and disco, large party

Sprit - Liquor

Öl - Beer

Tjänsteman - the "civil servant", a student elected to hold a certain post with

certain responsibilities

Example of a nation; Östgöta nation

Östgöta nation is the oldest nation in Lund, founded in 1668, only two years

after the university was established. It could be argued that it is the most

central nation in town, as it is situated in the centre of Lund. The cosy

atmosphere at Östgöta nation is a contributing reason to our being one of the

most popular nations in town. We are proud of our open and nice atmosphere at

Östgöta nation -that´s something we charish.

Today, we have 2800 members and about 600 of them work actively in one of our 25

sections. Our goal is that everybody shall have the chance of participating. We

have something for everybody.

A normal week at ÖG´s starts with movie and food. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we serve delicious lunches at very reasonable prices. On Thursdays, it´s time for the traditional Swedish peasoup and pancakes with punch, followed by a club night with dancing and all kinds of cocktails. Saturday means one of Lund´s biggest studentplaces - Sunset. Have a three-course-meal, and go dancing afterwards. The morning after, you can have brunch at Tage's.

Of course, we also have sports activities, such as football, floorball and basketball. The nation also organises a huge ball every autumn, Champagnegaloppen on the last of April and a traditional lunch on the first of May. The nation also has a travelling section of its own, ÖGGT, which arranges trips for all the active members.The;nations; began as associations of students from the same geographical origin. The oldest, Östgöta and Smålands, are coeval with the University itself. Today there are 13 nations, and although students are free to choose which nation to join, they still tend to gravitate towards the one representing the city or region from which they come.

The nations provide a good deal of the entertainment available to students. In the nation houses scattered around Lund there are pub evenings or dances every week. They also arrange balls, choirs, revues, and sports activities, provide restaurants, publish newsletters, and lay on some student housing.

the Swedish way... :)

Be on time

Both at work and in the social life, Swedes are very punctual. A major exception

is the "akademisk kvart" (15 minutes during the day, 30 minutes in the evenings)

which is in practice in the academic world. This means e.g. that if your

schedule says that your lecture is to start at 8, it starts at 8.15. However,

note that the "akademisk kvart" does not apply at examinations.

Take your place in the queue

Whenever you are waiting for something: a cinema, to pay in a shop etc., you are

expected to wait in a proper queue. Almost no excuse is good enough to get in

front of the people who arrived before you. Not all nationalities are strict

about this, but Swedes are. Many institutions, e.g. banks, post offices etc. use

a system of "queuing tickets". When your number shows on the screen, it is your

turn.

Keep talking...

Some foreigners complain that it is difficult to meet Swedes socially, and we

have to admit that this may be true. Swedes might take their time before

inviting peo-ple home or going out with them in the evening. But since you will

probably be here for a relatively short period of time, you do not have time to

wait... Do not be afraid to seek contact with people and take the initiative -

it will be appreciated.

... but listen, too

When talking, Swedes do not like being interrupted. When you speak, people are

normally interested in what you have to say and they listen, so do not forget to

listen to them!

Answer the telephone

What do you say when you pick up the receiver? Just "Hello?" Try to remember

that in Sweden, that is considered impolite. You should answer directly with

your name or phone number.

No smoking

Smoking is not allowed in public buildings and as in many other countries

regu-lations against smoking are getting stricter. Therefore, remember to always

check if there is a sign saying "No smoking", before you light a cigarette, even

in sit-uations where you think it is all right to smoke. It is also considered

an act of courtesy not to smoke in the house, if you visit a friend who does not

smoke. When dining with Swedish friends, it is a courtesy to wait until everyone

has fin-ished their meal and ask, before lighting a cigarette.

Take your shoes off

Swedes often take their shoes off in the house. Remember this, when you visit a

Swedish friend - leave your shoes at the door.