Queen’s University Belfast student, Ben Magee, talks us through the process he went through to find accommodation in Stockholm for his study exchange.
“Planning for an exchange semester is exciting, but one of the biggest challenges is securing accommodation. When I made the decision to join the MPlan programme and that I’d be moving to Stockholm, I was actually in Chicago, which made the process even more difficult. Looking back, I wish I had started searching earlier – accommodation is a necessity when moving away, and it’s something that should be planned for months in advance. Even six months before departure, my now roommates and I were struggling to find places, and university accommodation was extremely limited, so Don’t Rely On It As Your First Choice!“
“I was lucky enough to be moving out with two fellow classmates, which made the search slightly easier as we could split costs and widen our options. Since getting a spot in student housing wasn’t guaranteed, we had to explore other alternatives. We started by checking Airbnb for short-term stays and joined as many Facebook housing groups as possible, messaging landlords and students enquiring about their accommodation plans.”
“One of the best decisions I made was reaching out to someone who had previously lived in Stockholm. They gave us great advice and even helped us connect with potential landlords. If your university can put you in contact with a former student, I’d highly recommend taking advantage of that.”
“Eventually, I secured a shared apartment through a private landlord. While it wasn’t in the city center, it was well-connected by public transport, and living with other students made settling in much easier.”
“My biggest recommendation? Start early, be persistent, and explore every option. Don’t rely solely on university accommodation – message as many people as possible, use multiple platforms, and connect with students who have been through the process before.”
“Exchange is an incredible experience, and finding a place to live is one of the most important steps to making it a smooth and enjoyable one.”