UC Davis Summer Abroad 2006
Program Specific Guide
"Crafts, Arts, and Architecture in Medieval and Early Modern Sweden"
Sigtuna, Sweden
Medieval and Early Modern Studies 130A and 198 (8 units)
This guide should be used in conjunction with your Basic Survival Guide, your Lonely Planet: Sweden travel guidebook (provided by Summer Abroad at Spring Orientation, May 20) and the Spring Orientation as an important part of the research and preparation for your trip to Sweden. This guide provides you with many important specifics about your program.
1. Pre-Departure Checklist
R Program Dates
|
Check in: |
July 22, 2006—Sigtuna Folkhögskola |
|
First Day of Class: |
July 24, 2006 |
|
Last Day of Class/Final Given: |
August 18, 2006 |
|
Check out: |
August 19, 2006—Sigtuna Folkhögskola |
The nearest international airport is the Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm. Directions from the airport to Sigtuna appear below under the "Upon Arrival in Sweden" section.
http://www.lfv.se/templates/LFV_AirportStartPage_Arlanda____36730.aspx
If you plan to arrive before July 22 or stay after August 19, be sure to make you accommodation reservations early. The following web sites have information about hotels, hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, etc.
http://sal.sigtuna.se/turism//en/default.asp?Doc=Bo
www.hotelsinsweden.net/english
http://www.bedbreakfast.a.se/v1.0%20ram/index2.htm
… Swedish Youth Hostels Association
R Spring Orientation—Saturday, May 20, 2006
The orientation is a great way to learn about your program, meet your instructor, ask questions, and get to know your classmates. Parents also enjoy coming and meeting the instructor and learning more about the class, so be sure to invite them. If you cannot make it to the orientation, Summer Abroad will send you notes from the meeting. The Spring Orientation will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2006. Participants in the Sweden program will attend the afternoon session. Please arrive in 1100 Social Sciences between 1 and 1:15 p.m.
R Order Your Textbooks
You can purchase your books from the UC Davis bookstore (available mid-May) or another bookseller (store or online). It is recommended that you do some of the reading in advance.
Required Text:
Franklin Daniel Scott, Sweden—The Nation's History, English edition, (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1988). ISBN: 0809314894 (pbk.) or 0809315130 (hbd).
Ordering from the UC Davis Bookstore:
If you are mail-ordering your book from the UCD Bookstore, make sure to order it by June 1. Instructions on how to order books from the bookstore are available at:
… https://bookstore.ucdavis.edu/textbooks/summer/
R Your Travel Guidebook
Summer Abroad will provide you with a copy of a travel guide to Sweden (Lonely Planet: Sweden) at the Spring Orientation. It is recommended that you review it closely as you prepare yourself for travel to Sweden. We also have a library of travel books and books from the Culture Shock! series available in the Summer Abroad office.
R Research the Program Location
Summer Abroad endeavors to provide you with as much accurate information as possible. However, information can change daily. It is your responsibility to become acquainted with Sweden before your departure.
It is a good idea to contact official tourist offices for brochures and general information. Be sure to look up course-specific information as well. We have listed some good starting points for your personal research.
… The U.S. Department of Stateís Consular Information Sheet on Sweden http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1032.html
… The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm
http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/
… The Official Tourist site for Sweden
http://www.visitsweden.com/Default.aspx
… Sigtuna Tourist Office
http://sal.sigtuna.se/turism//en/default.asp?Doc=Kontakt
… Sweden Bookshop
http://www.sweden.se/templates/cs/SBFrontPage____11208.aspx
R Order Kronor ("Krona" is singular)
Bring about $100 worth of Kronor with you in cash on your flight. There are some advantages to having Kronor on hand before your arrival.
1. You avoid delays upon arrival, since exchange offices at airports are usually crowded. (However, see below, under ìMoney,î that the recommended way to exchange money in Sweden is through ATMs.)
2. You are better prepared for the first day or two in Sweden.
3. You will have the luxury to shop around a bit for the best exchange rate (if you do not plan to use ATMs for exchanging money).
Most banks and travel agencies in the U.S. can order Kronor for you. You may be charged a service fee on top of commission. In some cases, it may take two or three weeks or longer to order your Kronor. Details regarding ordering foreign currency will differ among banks and travel agencies. Inquire early at your bank or travel agency about the availability of service, fees, etc.
2. Packing
What to Bring
While packing, keep in mind that you will have to carry your luggage through terminals, on buses/trains/boats, and to and from accommodations. During overnight field trips, some items may be left in Sigtuna. Pack only essential items and leave space for things that you may purchase while youíre in Sweden.
In addition to the items listed in the Basic Survival Guide, be sure to also pack the following items:
… Umbrella and/or raincoat
… Sheets and towels for field trips to Skara and Visby (or, instead of bringing sheets, plan to buy sheets or a sleeping bag upon arrival in Sweden)
3. The Weather
Summer Rain
In the Stockholm area it rains an average of 13 days (2.4 inches) in July and 14 days (3.0 inches) in August. Take your umbrella and/or a raincoat.
Summer Temperatures
Stockholm area temperatures in July average 57†F at night and 71†F during the day. In August itís 55†F at night and 68†F during the day. Take layered clothing and a warm jacket.
Long Summer Days
Average hours of daylight in July: 17.9; in August: 15.5. If you are a light sleeper, consider bringing eye shades! (You can find these online. Do a search for "eye shades.")
Up-to-the-Minute Weather
… BBC Weather: Average Conditions in Stockholm (Fahrenheit = [Celsius x 1.8] + 32)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT004300
… Weather.com
… CNN's Weather Page for Sweden (Stockholm)
http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=ESSA
English/Metric Conversions
… Celsius to Fahrenheit/Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter
http://users.tpg.com.au/doktormj/celsius2Fahrenheit.htm
4. Accommodations
Sigtuna
You will study and
stay at Sigtuna Folkhögskola, an adult school. The rooms are former conference
hotel rooms, double occupancy, and each has its own bathroom with a shower.
Linens (including sheets and towels) are provided, and laundry is included as
part of the cost of the rooms. The rooms have study desks. Computer access will
be through the school's computer labs, which are open until 11:00 p.m. There is
no access to the network from the rooms. There are a number of common lounge
areas with DVD players, ping pong, etc.
Visby
and Skara
For the overnight
field trips to Visby and Skara, you should bring your own sheets and towels,
though a sleeping bag may be substituted for the sheets if youíre bringing one.
If sheets and towels will take up too much space in your luggage, you can
purchase them in Sweden.
Sigtuna
Meals will be catered
and consist of a substantial breakfast (hot and cold drinks, cereals, muesli,
toast with preserves, sliced meats and cheeses, and yogurt), a morning coffee
break (coffee and a sandwich), and two-course lunches and dinners (main dish
and salad buffet). Non-alcoholic drinks and coffee/tea are included. Some meals
will be your responsibility (lunches and dinners on weekends, some meals during
day-trips, etc.). There will be a large kitchen at your disposal, so for the
meals that are on your own, you will have the option to buy food from the
grocery store and cook for yourself, pack a bag lunch, etc.
Visby
and Skara
Breakfast is included,
but lunches and dinners will be on your own. Again, there will be a kitchen
available in both Visby and Skara.
6. Money
The Swedish Krona
The currency in Sweden is the Swedish krona (crown). The abbreviation is SEK. "Krona" is singular, "kronor" is plural. 1 krona = 100 öre. There are coins in the following denominations: 50 öre, 1 krona, 5 kronor, 10 kronor. The following notes are used: 20 kronor, 50 kronor, 100 kronor, 500 kronor, and 1,000 kronor. There are many different currency converters on the internet, e.g. Oanda (http://www.oanda.com/) and the Swedish exchange bureau Forex (http://www.forex.se/).
ATMs
ATMs are the best and least expensive way to get cash. There will be a fee (check with your bank), but you will get a better exchange rate than with travelerís checks. Know your personal identification number (PIN). European ATM keypads have only numbers, so you must have a four-digit pin with numbers and no letters. Be sure to check with your bank to make sure that your card will work overseas, and inform them of the dates during which you will be using your card overseas so they will not mistakenly view overseas activity on your card as suspicious. If you plan to use your credit card, you might want to communicate in the same way with your credit card company.
Suggested Personal Expense Budget: While most of your meals will be taken care of, you will be on your own for approximately 17 dinners and 12 lunches over the four weeks of the course. (The cost for these meals is not included in the "Accommodation and Miscellaneous" fee.) We suggest that you budget up to $375.00 for these (average of about $10 per lunch and $15 per dinner). On-your-own meal costs may be lessened by purchasing food at the grocery store and cooking in (see "Accommodations" and "Meals" sections, above). In addition, you should think about how much you would like to budget for other things you may want to buy in Sweden (other personal items, souvenirs, etc.).
Sample Prices
Here are current prices for some groceries and a few other miscellaneous items you might purchase:
|
Item |
Quantity |
Price SEK |
US Dollar |
|
bananas |
kg |
20 |
2.60 |
|
bar soap |
each |
10 |
1.30 |
|
carrots |
kg |
12 |
1.56 |
|
chicken, frozen |
each |
35 |
4.55 |
|
chocolate bar |
100g |
17 |
2.21 |
|
clothes detergent |
20 washes |
30 |
3.90 |
|
Coke |
1.5 liter |
16 |
2.08 |
|
corn flakes |
500g |
9 |
1.17 |
|
disposable razor |
pack of 5 |
30 |
3.90 |
|
eggs |
each |
2 |
0.26 |
|
ground beef |
kg |
70 |
9.09 |
|
hard cheese |
kg |
70 |
9.09 |
|
jam |
lb |
30 |
3.90 |
|
ketchup |
kg |
11 |
1.43 |
|
milk |
liter |
7,5 |
0.97 |
|
muesli |
750g |
25 |
3.25 |
|
onions |
kg |
10 |
1.30 |
|
pasta |
kg |
20 |
2.60 |
|
potatoes |
kg |
6 |
0.78 |
|
rice |
kg |
14 |
1.82 |
|
taco shells |
pack of 18 |
18 |
2.34 |
|
tomatoes, canned |
each |
20 |
2.60 |
|
white bread |
loaf (600g) |
11 |
1.43 |
Tipping
… Restaurants: 10–15% of the total. You can leave your tip on the table or give it directly to the waiter.
… Taxis: It is a nice gesture to give the driver about 15–20 kronor (definitely round up)
… Hotels: No
… Haircuts: No
… Toilets: No
(Source: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/eurotips.htm)
7. Communication
UC Summer Abroad List Serve
You can communicate with all other students and your program instructor by sending a message to the program list serve:
… Sweden06mst@ucdavis.edu
Internet
There are plenty of places to get internet access in Sweden. In Sigtuna, the Folkhögskola, where you will be staying, has computer labs that remain open until 11:00 p.m. There is no internet access from the rooms. In Stockholm, there are numerous places that have internet connections.
… See http://www.cybercafes.com/ to get started.
… See http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/cybercafes.htm for further tips about connecting to the internet overseas.
Telephone Use
Think in advance about whether you want to use calling cards or a mobile phone in Sweden. The following web sites have some helpful information.
Mobile Phones:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/mobilephones.htm
Phone Booths/Phone Cards:
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/9907/rick_steves_telephones_in_europe.shtml
Telephoning Sweden from the U.S.
Dial (011) international direct access + (46) country code for Sweden + city code (drop the zero in the front of it) + number.
… For Example: 011-46-8 (the city code for Stockholm is 08, but you drop the 0) -555-5555
Telephoning the U.S. from Sweden
Dial (009) international access code + country code + area code + number.
… For Example: 009-1-530-555-5555
Telephoning within Sweden
Dial: city code + number.
… For Example: 08-5555555 within Sweden
Letters, Postcards, and Packages
Mail takes 1–2 weeks either way. We recommend that you not have mail sent to you on this program.
8. Practical Notes
Time
Sweden's time zone is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) +1, which is 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). See http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=239.
Electricity
The voltage in Sweden is 230 volts/50 Hz (versus 110 or 120 volts/60 Hz in the United States), and plug adapters are different (two round pins). If you use a hair dryer, you might want to plan to buy one in Sweden.
9. Miscellaneous Advice
Language
Although English is widely spoken, a basic understanding of Swedish can be helpful and enjoyable.
For the Class
Think about doing your reading in advance! It is likely you will want to have that free time in Sweden!
Contact Loved Ones
After you've arrived in Sweden, take the time to communicate via telephone or email with your family and/or friends, letting them know that you've arrived safely!
Transportation to Sigtuna
From Arlanda International Airport to Sigtuna:
Take regional bus 803 (UL) from Arlanda to the Sigtuna Central bus station. Important: arrange with Professor Roddy in advance for transportation from the Sigtuna Central bus station to the Folkhögskola.
From Stockholm to Sigtuna:
Take the
commuter train (SL) from Stockholm's Central train station
towards Märsta.
Change at Märsta station to regional bus 570
(SL) towards Sigtuna, and get off at the Sigtuna Central bus station.
Important: arrange
with Professor Roddy in advance for transportation from the Sigtuna Central bus
station to the Folkhögskola.
11. Important Numbers
UC Davis Summer Abroad
ATTN: Summer Abroad
Office of Summer Sessions
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
USA
Phone: +1-800-summer6
Fax: +1-530-297-7142
Email: summer-abroad@ucdavis.edu
Emergency Hot Line: +1-530-867-4120
Instructorís program cell phone while in Sweden
Kevin Roddy: 011 46 730661341
Diane Clarke: 011 46 705473507
(000-00+number if calling from US)
Embassy of Sweden in the United States
Embassy of Sweden
1501 M. Street N.W., Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005-1702
Phone: +1 202 467 2600
Fax: +1 202 467 2699
Embassy: ambassaden.washington@foreign.ministry.se
Visa Section: ambassaden.washington-visa@foreign.ministry.se
Info Section: ambassaden.washington-info@foreign.ministry.se
Sweden National Tourist Information
New York
Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Box 4649
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-4649
United States
Emergency Numbers in Sweden
Police, Ambulance, Fire: 112
Nurse Hotline: (08) 32 01 00
Embassy of the United States in Sweden
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
SE-115 89 Stockholm, SWEDEN
Phone: +46 (0)8 783 5300
Consular Section: American Citizen Services
Phone: +46 (0)8 783 5375
Phone Hours: 1–3PM, Monday–Thursday
Opening hours: 9–11AM, Monday–Friday, except for American and Swedish holidays.
Fax: +46 (0)8 783 5480
Address: American Citizen Services
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskj–lds V”g 31
SE-115 89 Stockholm Sweden
Be sure to leave the numbers and information in blue with your parents.
12. Course Syllabus
Available at http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/SWEDEN/