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Welcome to the Uppsala International Summer Session, UISS, now in its 46th year. This website will, I hope, give you all the information you'll need to prepare for your studies with the UISS in Uppsala, Sweden. It contains information about classes, arrival and payments, as well as more practical information.
The UISS is a non-profit organization, which means that all the money that comes in, goes towards the costs of the program. If we have a financially good year and we do have some money left at the end of the summer, this goes into our scholarship fund. The UISS is completely self-supportive and receives no subsidies at all.
All teachers within the UISS are qualified to teach at an academic level. The teachers of Swedish have taken a special program at the university in teaching Swedish as a foreign language. New teaching methods are applied and this results in an active, motivating and stimulating atmosphere in our classes. Students and professionals often say: “if learning only would have been this much fun in school!” Our courses are intensive and are intended for the serious and motivated student. Our students will learn a lot of Swedish next to increasing their knowledge about Swedish culture, history and society. The intercultural aspect of the program, in which there are more than 40 countries represented, is important, interesting as well as a lot of fun. After 25 years with this program, I am well aware how important it is, to also see to it that everyone has a good time, sees something of the country and has some time to travel on their own or socialize in their free time. Also, I find it very important to maintain the personal atmosphere that always has been the strength of this program. We therefore do not admit more than 120 students at the same time.
Every year about 220 students and professionals from all over the world participate in the UISS to study Swedish and to learn about the Swedish culture and society. In addition to studying, students also enjoy living in Uppsala and participating in Swedish student life. Uppsala is a beautiful and lively city during the summer. Riding a bicycle is the most popular way to get around town, although it is also easy to go by foot. In Uppsala each week, a number of events are organized by cultural organizations, as well as by pubs and cafes. The student clubs (nations), offer good and affordable food and drink, and have dances several times per week. The lake is close by and one will often find our students there on the weekends. Stockholm, with all it has to offer, is only 45 minutes away by train.
The UISS teaches all classes at Vuxenskolan, a modern facility in the center of Uppsala. Computers are available for writing or e-mailing for a small fee.
The weekend trips to Helsinki, Värmland and Lapland are unforgettable experiences for those who participate. Two highlights during the summer are the potluck dinner (late July) and the farewell banquet. Students bring to the potluck dinner food that is typical for their homelands, serving up tastes from all corners of the globe. Each four-week session ends with the semi-formal farewell banquet, when students and teachers perform songs and sketches. After dinner the banquet room is cleared for a night of dancing.
Spending a summer together with people from 40 different countries, ages 18 - 65, with different backgrounds, is a valuable and interesting experience, one that you will not easily forget.
In short, I think the UISS has a lot to offer and I can assure you that you will have a great summer with us, as you combine your studies with interesting and fun experiences. I personally very much enjoy working with this program, as it gives me the opportunity to meet so many people from all corners of the world with one thing in common: an interest in Sweden, its language and culture.
Please don't ever hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions. I hope to see you this summer in Uppsala.
Nelleke Dorrestijn
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Director Nelleke Dorrestjin
The school is located in
the heart of Uppsala.
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