It has been revealed in recent news reports that a shooter may be targeting people "with immigrant backgrounds" in Malmö. Immigrants have even been warned by the police to not go out at night and to exercise more caution. What the press is not reporting but what I am inferring is that these attacks are not directed against immigrants - they are directed against people with non-white skin color. The shooter has not been caught but it seems as though the shooter has no direct connections with the people he/she has attempted to kill.
People from Finland make up the largest group of immigrants in Sweden. Should they be staying indoors at night? No, the shooter seems to be going after the "wrong" kind of immigrants; the same kind of immigrants which are generalized by the Swedish media to represent all immigrants - those from the Middle East. As an immigrant myself, I am in all likelihood in no danger of being shot by this person. I have light skin. The shooter has had no contact with his/her victims so there's no way the shooter would know if he's shooting an immigrant or someone born in Sweden. It's time for the Swedish press and the police to realize that their own stereotypes about immigrants are leading to inaccurate information and the continuation of the stereotype of the immigrant as non-white. We deserve not to be painted in such broad terms - we come in a range of colors and backgrounds; simplifying such a broad group of people can only lead to trouble.
Note: Although the articles I linked to are written in English, the same terms (i.e., immigrant background) are used by the Swedish press
torsdag 21 oktober 2010
lördag 16 oktober 2010
No End to Discrimination Against Foreigners by the National Agency for Higher Education
In the beginning of fall semester 2010, The National Agency for Higher Education (in Swedish, Högskoleverket) changed their admission rules. They create different evaluation categories for those who were applying based on Swedish high school grades, those who were applying based on the "högskoleprov" (a country-wide test), those who had previously studied at a "folkhögskola" and those that did not study high school in Sweden. Those with non-Swedish high school grades (excluding those who had studied at International Baccalaureate schools) were put into their own "evaluation category" and, in essence, had to "compete" with those in the other categories for acceptance spots. At least one-third of the spots were reserved for students applying with Swedish high school grades and another one-third was reserved for those who had taken the national exam.
What this meant was that foreigners could easily denied acceptance (regardless of their grades) if enough people with Swedish high school grades and those who had taken the national exam applied. I myself was denied acceptance on the basis of my non-Swedish high school grades. When I found out the reason for this (because it was not clear from the application results, which only stated that I was placed in "Reserve group 2"), I became so upset that I considered leaving Sweden. I was being punished for learning Swedish and applying for a course in which few other non-Swedish people applied. My grades, which couldn't be reckoned with, were never considered. My application was never considered... because I had not studied at a Swedish high school. And it happened to many others too.
Not surprisingly, studera.nu does not have any information about the new acceptance rules in English. Here it is in Swedish.
Swedish people who had graduated high school before 2003 were also punished because the new rules assigned extra points to those who had studied languages starting from 2003. This meant that sought-after programs were shut out to older students. The Swedish press focused mostly on this aspect of discrimination in their coverage of the new admission rules. This was not deemed discrimination - just indirect discrimination. Lund University admirably decided to change their admission rules to admit the foreign students who had been denied admission because they had not studied high school in Sweden - let's give a big applause to them! Other colleges and universities did not follow suit, unfortunately.
I reported this to the Discrimination Ombudsman. I expect it to be a lengthy process. So far all I've gotten is an acceptance of my report and a copy of a questionnaire sent to the college in which I applied to with a deadline in the middle of September. I can only hope that the government will step up and put a stop to this discrimination and that my report will hurry this along.
In the meantime, I can only wonder... what were they thinking?
What this meant was that foreigners could easily denied acceptance (regardless of their grades) if enough people with Swedish high school grades and those who had taken the national exam applied. I myself was denied acceptance on the basis of my non-Swedish high school grades. When I found out the reason for this (because it was not clear from the application results, which only stated that I was placed in "Reserve group 2"), I became so upset that I considered leaving Sweden. I was being punished for learning Swedish and applying for a course in which few other non-Swedish people applied. My grades, which couldn't be reckoned with, were never considered. My application was never considered... because I had not studied at a Swedish high school. And it happened to many others too.
Not surprisingly, studera.nu does not have any information about the new acceptance rules in English. Here it is in Swedish.
Swedish people who had graduated high school before 2003 were also punished because the new rules assigned extra points to those who had studied languages starting from 2003. This meant that sought-after programs were shut out to older students. The Swedish press focused mostly on this aspect of discrimination in their coverage of the new admission rules. This was not deemed discrimination - just indirect discrimination. Lund University admirably decided to change their admission rules to admit the foreign students who had been denied admission because they had not studied high school in Sweden - let's give a big applause to them! Other colleges and universities did not follow suit, unfortunately.
I reported this to the Discrimination Ombudsman. I expect it to be a lengthy process. So far all I've gotten is an acceptance of my report and a copy of a questionnaire sent to the college in which I applied to with a deadline in the middle of September. I can only hope that the government will step up and put a stop to this discrimination and that my report will hurry this along.
In the meantime, I can only wonder... what were they thinking?
Tuition Fees - Just How Much Are We Looking At?
Lund University has released information in Swedish about what kind of costs non-European students will be looking at. This update states that most fees will be between 90,000 and 140,000 SEK per year while other programs (especially in the arts) will run up to between 190,000 and 400,000 SEK per year. The program for pilots will cost students about one million crowns per year. I wish I was making this stuff up. These fees do not, of course, include housing or anything else. As of yet, there is no guarantee for housing.
Malmö Högskola has listed their tuition fees clearly in English. Want to study Interaction Design (what the hell is that?) - better be prepared to hand over 320,000 SEK. And let's not forget the application fee at studera.nu is now 900 SEK.
We've already stated why we're opposed to tuition fees for non-European students. Now we're going to just sit back and watch this whole thing crash and burn - there's no way anyone with any sense at all would pay that much for an education that is of questionable quality. We expect to see many programs go under because of this. How exactly can a university justify charging so much when they can't meet students' housing and other needs? What exactly will happen when some hapless rich students pays the tuition and can't find anywhere to live?
Malmö Högskola has listed their tuition fees clearly in English. Want to study Interaction Design (what the hell is that?) - better be prepared to hand over 320,000 SEK. And let's not forget the application fee at studera.nu is now 900 SEK.
We've already stated why we're opposed to tuition fees for non-European students. Now we're going to just sit back and watch this whole thing crash and burn - there's no way anyone with any sense at all would pay that much for an education that is of questionable quality. We expect to see many programs go under because of this. How exactly can a university justify charging so much when they can't meet students' housing and other needs? What exactly will happen when some hapless rich students pays the tuition and can't find anywhere to live?
tisdag 12 oktober 2010
Finding Work
Many international students come to Lund with the idea that they can find a part-time job to earn some extra money. In many cases, these students never end up finding work. Why?
1. Unless you have specialized skills (largely IT), you have to be able to speak at least some Swedish if not fluent Swedish. You may think that Swedish isn't required of you, but your employer probably truly believes that Swedish is a necessary skill for a cleaner or dishwasher.
2. The economy sucks. Youth unemployment is very high right now and although lots of different political parties talk about giving people opportunities, there has been very little improvement in regards to the situation many young people face.
3. Employers discriminate against foreigners. I used to have a non-Swedish last name. Then I changed my name to a Swedish last name. I applied for the same job I had applied for 3 months previously with the same qualifications and suddenly I got a phone call asking about an interview. Coincidence? I find it hard to believe. Now why would employers discriminate against foreigners? Many employers may suspect that an applicant doesn't speak "good enough" Swedish, claim that they've had bad experiences with other foreigners or have a myriad of other stupid reasons. None of them actually hold up when examined closely. Unfortunately there's very little you can do about this if you don't want to change your name.
4. Many foreigners don't have contacts in Sweden and networking and contacts are the key to finding a job. Unfair as it is, Sweden is not a meritocracy. It doesn't matter how many years you've worked at a pub if there's another candidate that knows someone that knows the pub owner. Go out and spread the word that you're looking for a job. Talk to anyone that might have contacts. Meet new people! And when applying for a job, if possible then try to speak with the person in charge of hiring so that they feel like they know you!
Good luck!
If you do get hired for a job, you will most likely fill out a form with your personal information and your bank account information. That's all. In all likelihood they will not take a copy of your passport, inspect your residence permit or even check your ID card. Most businesses pay salaries on the 25th of each month for the previous month's work.
1. Unless you have specialized skills (largely IT), you have to be able to speak at least some Swedish if not fluent Swedish. You may think that Swedish isn't required of you, but your employer probably truly believes that Swedish is a necessary skill for a cleaner or dishwasher.
2. The economy sucks. Youth unemployment is very high right now and although lots of different political parties talk about giving people opportunities, there has been very little improvement in regards to the situation many young people face.
3. Employers discriminate against foreigners. I used to have a non-Swedish last name. Then I changed my name to a Swedish last name. I applied for the same job I had applied for 3 months previously with the same qualifications and suddenly I got a phone call asking about an interview. Coincidence? I find it hard to believe. Now why would employers discriminate against foreigners? Many employers may suspect that an applicant doesn't speak "good enough" Swedish, claim that they've had bad experiences with other foreigners or have a myriad of other stupid reasons. None of them actually hold up when examined closely. Unfortunately there's very little you can do about this if you don't want to change your name.
4. Many foreigners don't have contacts in Sweden and networking and contacts are the key to finding a job. Unfair as it is, Sweden is not a meritocracy. It doesn't matter how many years you've worked at a pub if there's another candidate that knows someone that knows the pub owner. Go out and spread the word that you're looking for a job. Talk to anyone that might have contacts. Meet new people! And when applying for a job, if possible then try to speak with the person in charge of hiring so that they feel like they know you!
Good luck!
If you do get hired for a job, you will most likely fill out a form with your personal information and your bank account information. That's all. In all likelihood they will not take a copy of your passport, inspect your residence permit or even check your ID card. Most businesses pay salaries on the 25th of each month for the previous month's work.
Taxes in Sweden
This article is for those of you that have found jobs or are seeking employment and wish to know more about how taxation works in Sweden.
Sweden has long been heralded as a country with high income tax. Let's see how it really works. First, there's the "grundavdrag" - the amount you can make that IS NOT taxed. Right now, it's 18,200 SEK per year. If you have one job and then start working another job then any job after your first job will be taxed the "normal" level of about 30%. This 30% includes local, regional and state taxes so the actual amount varies depending on where you are registered.
Around May of the following working year you will receive an income declaration in the mail from Skatteverket. This declaration will list your sources of income, how much tax you paid and how much you owe the government or how much you overpaid. Most of the time, you will have overpaid and should receive some of your income tax back in the months that follow. If you give them your bank account information then they will transfer the money and this is faster than if you receive a special card that you have to take to a bank to get your money. You have to confirm the declaration by either visiting Skatteverket, through SMS, through the internet or through the post. If you see any errors then you must notify Skatteverket by mail.
There are higher levels of taxation than 30% but these only kick in once you start earning a LOT of money. The first raise comes at over 350,000SEK per year and those earning over 530,000SEK per year also have to pay a higher percentage of income tax.
Sweden has long been heralded as a country with high income tax. Let's see how it really works. First, there's the "grundavdrag" - the amount you can make that IS NOT taxed. Right now, it's 18,200 SEK per year. If you have one job and then start working another job then any job after your first job will be taxed the "normal" level of about 30%. This 30% includes local, regional and state taxes so the actual amount varies depending on where you are registered.
Around May of the following working year you will receive an income declaration in the mail from Skatteverket. This declaration will list your sources of income, how much tax you paid and how much you owe the government or how much you overpaid. Most of the time, you will have overpaid and should receive some of your income tax back in the months that follow. If you give them your bank account information then they will transfer the money and this is faster than if you receive a special card that you have to take to a bank to get your money. You have to confirm the declaration by either visiting Skatteverket, through SMS, through the internet or through the post. If you see any errors then you must notify Skatteverket by mail.
There are higher levels of taxation than 30% but these only kick in once you start earning a LOT of money. The first raise comes at over 350,000SEK per year and those earning over 530,000SEK per year also have to pay a higher percentage of income tax.
söndag 10 oktober 2010
So You Want to Stay in Sweden
Are you from outside the EU and thinking about (permanently) extending your stay in Sweden? It's more complicated than it seems. Here's what you'll need if you want to stay in Sweden by changing your study permit to a family ties permit...
-a valid residence permit
-a transcript of your university studies showing you completed at least 30 university points (one semester)
-a live-in partner relationship or marriage
You have to be able to show that you live with your partner by registering at the same address at skatteverket.se (go visit their office if you have any questions about address registration).
You can't go about changing your permit willy-nilly. You have to wait until your current permit is about to expire. Do not overstay your visa! You can (and most likely will) be deported if you attempt to apply after it is expired. You need to show that you've actually been studying while in Sweden with a signed transcript. You must have at least 30 completed university points (aka one semester), otherwise they will most likely tell you to go back to your "home" country and apply from there. The process of applying from your "home" country could take many months (not to mention the cost of plane tickets!).
This law (in Swedish) lists which reasons are valid for applying for residence from within Sweden.
First you'll apply at your local Migrationsverket. Here is a Google map of the Migrationsverket office in Malmö as there is no office in Lund where you can file your application.
The queues are probably extraordinary so give yourself at least 3 hours to submit the application. You will also have to pay 500SEK in cash which you won't get returned if you application is not approved. There will be no interview or anything of the sort at this time; you will only be submitting your application and paying the fee.
Bring your application (most likely this one), 500 SEK in cash, your passport, your personbevis (which you can have sent to your address via skatteverket.se) and your partner's personbevis.
You will get a receipt of payment and a letter stating you applied for a new residence permit.
A few weeks later, you will be assigned a caseworker. If you're lucky then you'll quickly get a letter from your caseworker for an appointment with you and your partner and your caseworker's contact information if you cannot make your appointment. The appointment can be anywhere from three weeks after you submitted your application to many months.
In all likelihood your old residence permit will expire but this is OK - as long as you have proof that you submitted a new application then you're legally allowed to stay in Sweden while it is being processed! I was told that it was OK to travel and I even left the EU during this time with no problems but others were told that it would be forbidden to travel without a valid residence permit. You should also be allowed to work during this time but others have been told something else. Ask your caseworker if you need more information.
You will meet your caseworker and you and your partner will be given complementary forms to fill out. Bring your passport, your personbevis and your partner's personbevis and proof of completed studies. The forms will ask about anything from about your background, how you met, your morning routine, who your partner's family members are and how old they are and whether you've met them, what you pay for rent, what color your shower curtain is and your hobbies. The form is at least 10 pages long with these sorts of questions. If you and your partner have matching answers then good, you will in all likelihood be granted a permit. If the answers don't match so well then you may have to do further tests, like a personal interview.
In theory you can get your new residence permit the same day as the appointment with your caseworker. In practice it may take many months.
If you have been living with your partner for less than two years (the most likely), you will be granted a residence permit for one or two years. This will be a TEMPORARY residence permit. After these two years (or, if granted a one year permit, you will have to apply after one year and receive another one year permit in all likelihood) you can apply for a PERMANENT residence permit.
You can LOSE your residence permit if you settle in any other country for any amount of time. Still, you ALWAYS have the right to a residence permit in Sweden as long as you have a relationship with someone there (even if it takes months to process). With a temporary residence permit, you DO NOT have the right to vote and you DO NOT have the right to get CSN (study aide).
As long as your permit is being processed (even if your old permit becomes expired), you are legally allowed to live and work in Sweden. You are in no way an "illegal" alien.
Good luck!!!
Tips:
--Speaking Swedish is always a plus!! You want to show that you're contributing to society here
--Homosexual relationships are of course allowed as a basis for residence permits
--Once assigned a caseworker, she/he can decide how easy or hard to make life for you. Be nice and courteous to them!
--Maybe you don't know what year your partner's brother was born in but study up on those things. You don't want to give them any doubt as to the veracity of your relationship
--You don't need pictures or other "evidence" during the process - that's only in movies
--Get home insurance together! This will save you money and show that you've been living together
--Having both your names on the rental contract is also a plus
For more information visit Migrationsverket.
Relevant laws on residence permits can be found here (in Swedish; no English translation available).
If you are looking to TEMPORARILY extend your stay in Sweden then the easiest course of action is to keep studying! Just be sure to apply for your extension before your current studies permit runs out.
Note: This information is provided by a private person. Smålands Nation does not take any responsibility for the validity of this information. Use common sense and contact the authorities if you have any questions.
-a valid residence permit
-a transcript of your university studies showing you completed at least 30 university points (one semester)
-a live-in partner relationship or marriage
Things to Know Before You Apply
You have to be able to show that you live with your partner by registering at the same address at skatteverket.se (go visit their office if you have any questions about address registration).
You can't go about changing your permit willy-nilly. You have to wait until your current permit is about to expire. Do not overstay your visa! You can (and most likely will) be deported if you attempt to apply after it is expired. You need to show that you've actually been studying while in Sweden with a signed transcript. You must have at least 30 completed university points (aka one semester), otherwise they will most likely tell you to go back to your "home" country and apply from there. The process of applying from your "home" country could take many months (not to mention the cost of plane tickets!).
This law (in Swedish) lists which reasons are valid for applying for residence from within Sweden.
The Application
First you'll apply at your local Migrationsverket. Here is a Google map of the Migrationsverket office in Malmö as there is no office in Lund where you can file your application.
The queues are probably extraordinary so give yourself at least 3 hours to submit the application. You will also have to pay 500SEK in cash which you won't get returned if you application is not approved. There will be no interview or anything of the sort at this time; you will only be submitting your application and paying the fee.
Bring your application (most likely this one), 500 SEK in cash, your passport, your personbevis (which you can have sent to your address via skatteverket.se) and your partner's personbevis.
You will get a receipt of payment and a letter stating you applied for a new residence permit.
A few weeks later, you will be assigned a caseworker. If you're lucky then you'll quickly get a letter from your caseworker for an appointment with you and your partner and your caseworker's contact information if you cannot make your appointment. The appointment can be anywhere from three weeks after you submitted your application to many months.
In all likelihood your old residence permit will expire but this is OK - as long as you have proof that you submitted a new application then you're legally allowed to stay in Sweden while it is being processed! I was told that it was OK to travel and I even left the EU during this time with no problems but others were told that it would be forbidden to travel without a valid residence permit. You should also be allowed to work during this time but others have been told something else. Ask your caseworker if you need more information.
The Appointment
You will meet your caseworker and you and your partner will be given complementary forms to fill out. Bring your passport, your personbevis and your partner's personbevis and proof of completed studies. The forms will ask about anything from about your background, how you met, your morning routine, who your partner's family members are and how old they are and whether you've met them, what you pay for rent, what color your shower curtain is and your hobbies. The form is at least 10 pages long with these sorts of questions. If you and your partner have matching answers then good, you will in all likelihood be granted a permit. If the answers don't match so well then you may have to do further tests, like a personal interview.
The Permit
In theory you can get your new residence permit the same day as the appointment with your caseworker. In practice it may take many months.
If you have been living with your partner for less than two years (the most likely), you will be granted a residence permit for one or two years. This will be a TEMPORARY residence permit. After these two years (or, if granted a one year permit, you will have to apply after one year and receive another one year permit in all likelihood) you can apply for a PERMANENT residence permit.
You can LOSE your residence permit if you settle in any other country for any amount of time. Still, you ALWAYS have the right to a residence permit in Sweden as long as you have a relationship with someone there (even if it takes months to process). With a temporary residence permit, you DO NOT have the right to vote and you DO NOT have the right to get CSN (study aide).
As long as your permit is being processed (even if your old permit becomes expired), you are legally allowed to live and work in Sweden. You are in no way an "illegal" alien.
Good luck!!!
Tips:
--Speaking Swedish is always a plus!! You want to show that you're contributing to society here
--Homosexual relationships are of course allowed as a basis for residence permits
--Once assigned a caseworker, she/he can decide how easy or hard to make life for you. Be nice and courteous to them!
--Maybe you don't know what year your partner's brother was born in but study up on those things. You don't want to give them any doubt as to the veracity of your relationship
--You don't need pictures or other "evidence" during the process - that's only in movies
--Get home insurance together! This will save you money and show that you've been living together
--Having both your names on the rental contract is also a plus
For more information visit Migrationsverket.
Relevant laws on residence permits can be found here (in Swedish; no English translation available).
If you are looking to TEMPORARILY extend your stay in Sweden then the easiest course of action is to keep studying! Just be sure to apply for your extension before your current studies permit runs out.
Note: This information is provided by a private person. Smålands Nation does not take any responsibility for the validity of this information. Use common sense and contact the authorities if you have any questions.
söndag 3 oktober 2010
Apply for Scholarships at Lund University
Note: The application period for most scholarships has been extended until October 21st. After October 21st, the application period will close. The application period for spring semester will open sometime next year.
Now is the time to apply for scholarships! According to a recent Lundagård article, there's lots of money available. Here is the link which gives you access to the scholarship portal. First you have to create an account and then you'll be able to access the application form. Be sure to read the instructions very carefully. Many scholarships require a paper application which can be sent by regular mail.
Unfortunately many scholarships favor those who are relatives of the donor or grew up in a certain part of Sweden. Despite this we wish you the best of luck!
Now is the time to apply for scholarships! According to a recent Lundagård article, there's lots of money available. Here is the link which gives you access to the scholarship portal. First you have to create an account and then you'll be able to access the application form. Be sure to read the instructions very carefully. Many scholarships require a paper application which can be sent by regular mail.
Unfortunately many scholarships favor those who are relatives of the donor or grew up in a certain part of Sweden. Despite this we wish you the best of luck!
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