Welcome to Stockholm
A city on the world stage
The largest city in Scandinavia, Stockholm is a bustling and sprawling leader in sustainability, research, activism, technology, and culture.
Built as a series of islands, the city is a perfect blend of water, nature, and metropolitan spaces. Some of the most influential figures in the world have called this city home, from Alfred Nobel to Greta Thunberg, ABBA to Avicii.
Learn more about this city and what makes it special, both to live and to learn in.
Our second round of Long Study Tours wrapped up last week, with students taking their learning across Europe!
Some highlights from the week:
📊 Data Analytics examined how data and AI drive innovation across industries and art in Amsterdam.
🏳️🌈 Gender, Equality & Sexuality in Scandinavia explored queer activism, culture, and community in Copenhagen and Berlin.
🏦 Comparative Economics studied Finland’s approach to financial stability and banking in Helsinki.
🏥 Public Health & Migration investigated healthcare systems and access for migrant communities in London.
Photos by our Student Media Team: Rhianna (@calpolyglobal), Bertha (@vassarcollege), Joseph (@pomonaidpo), and Anna (@macalesterstudyaway).
#DISabroad #DISstockholm #StudyAbroad
Fall 2025 DIS students — this one’s for you! Our new hoodies, tees, and totes are dropping for a one-week preorder.
🔗 Preorder now via the link in bio
🗓️ Deadline: Sunday, Nov 16
📍 Pick-up at the DIS Festival: Wednesday, Dec 10
These are made-to-order (aka: if you want it, preorder it!) and only a limited amount will be sold at the DIS Festival.
Alumni, your merch available for shipping is coming later – so stay tuned!
#DISabroad #DISstockholm
DIS Stockholm hosted a Green Boutique Clothing Swap at the Student Hub last week, combining sustainability with fashion and community. Students brought their gently used clothes, swapped pieces, and gave old favorites a new life 👕🌍
Huge thanks to everyone who joined and helped make circular fashion part of our semester here 💚
Captured by Student Photographer Alexandra (@globalskidmore).
#DISStockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
For many students, living in a Homestay is a true highlight of their time abroad. 🏡🇸🇪
Meet Lily (@macalesterstudyaway), Xavier (@wesstudyabroad), and Zane (@uarkansas)! Each had their own unique experience living with Homestay hosts and came away from their semester with lifelong connections to Sweden.
From experiencing local traditions like mushroom foraging and national holidays, to exploring the city, playing sports, and sharing great conversations over dinner — each can attest that it’s an enriching and immersive way to get to know Sweden.
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
History ✔️ Charm ✔️ Seaside views ✔️ Vaxholm has it all.
Anna (@macalesterstudyaway) hopped over to this nearby archipelago town for a mini weekend adventure.
Where have you explored in Sweden so far? Share your favorite spots below 👇🇸🇪
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
Happy Kanelbullens dag! ✨
Every October 4, Sweden celebrates National Cinnamon Bun Day. We brought the tradition to the Student Hub this week, sharing fresh kanelbullar with our DIS students. 💛
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
As summer slips into fall in Stockholm, we’re already reminiscing about the first weeks of the semester! ☀️
From ferry rides and forest foraging, to day trips beyond the city, archipelago swims, and more, our students have made the most of their first month in Sweden.
📸 Captured by Student Photographers Bertha (@vassarcollege), Jiaying (@pomonaidpo), and Alexandra (@globalskidmore).
#disabroad #disstockholm #studyabroad
Say hello to our Fall `25 Student Media Team!
We’re thrilled to introduce this semester’s bloggers, photographers, and video creators. From everyday moments to big adventures (and everything in between), they’ll be sharing their unique perspectives on studying abroad in Stockholm.
Click the link in bio to meet the team!
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
Curious what our students have been up to? ✨
From making new friends and navigating Swedish grocery stores to diving into classes, the first few weeks abroad are all about settling into rhythm and routine.
Head to our IG stories to hear more from our Student Bloggers!
Photos by Student Bloggers Jiho (@northwestern_abroad), Anna (@macalestercollege), and Chloe (@middleburycollege).
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
It’s been just over three weeks since our fall students arrived in Stockholm! 🌅
The first weeks abroad are always chock-full of new experiences and feelings. Student Blogger Katie (@macalestercollege) has been reflecting on it all — from settling into her homestay and starting classes to exploring Stockholm for the very first time.
Read her blog at the link bio.
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
Last Friday we hosted the DISxJENSEN Culture Mingle — a tradition that kicks off every semester!🍦
At the event, DIS students meet local Stockholm high schoolers over ice cream. Those in the ‘Power of the Mind: Psychology of Performance’ course also have the opportunity to mentor JENSEN students, provide academic help across subjects, and engage in intercultural exchange.
#DISstockholm #DISabroad #StudyAbroad
What a week it’s been! 🥳
From a welcome barbecue and housing site kick-offs to Core Course Field Studies, the first day of classes, and plenty of city exploration, our fall students have packed so much into their first week in Stockholm.
Media by Student Photographers Jiaying (@pomonacollege), Alexandra (@skidmorecollege), Bertha (@vassarcollege), Melia (@smithcollege), and DIS staff.
Learning through Swedish culture: Vikings, hiking, and fika
You probably already know more Swedish culture than you think; take the next step by living in it.
There are plenty of well-known Swedish names, like actors Stellan Skarsgaard and Ingrid Bergman; sports stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Björn Bjorg, and musicians including ABBA, Robyn, Avicii, and Zara Larsson.
Or maybe you’re more familiar with IKEA, Swedish meatballs, and Vikings as they are portrayed in modern shows and films.
But there’s so much more to discover by living in Stockholm and learning from the culture around you. You can visit real historical sites behind the Viking myths, learn uniquely Swedish terms like fika and lagom, practice your language skills, and dive deeper into the biggest cultural exporter of Scandinavia.
Footsteps of the Vikings
Vikings are so common in pop culture today, we might forget that these were real, complex societies who are still being debated today. In Stockholm, you can explore that history up close.
Just a short ride from Stockholm, the city of Uppsala was home to important kings even before the Viking Age and remained a seat of power. You can visit the site to see several royal grave mounds and other historic sites.
ABBA, Avicii, Max Martin, Zara Larsson, and Swedish pop music dominance
Whether you know it or not, Stockholm has been home to the creators of some of your favorite music. No wonder Spotify was also born here.
You can study the songwriting and production that makes Swedish pop music iconic, or enjoy the history, visit the ABBA museum, and catch a local concert.
Allemansrätten – the right to access nature
Swedes hold a deep cultural connection to nature. The right to freely access nature is protected by Swedish law and Stockholmers exercise it often, going on hikes, swims, skiing, or kayaking.
Sweden is a huge country with loads of nature for you to explore, from lake-filled forests and islands along the archipelago, to Arctic tundra, mountains, and even the northern lights.
A history of progressive policies
Live in a city known for its long history of activism and progressive policies.
Stockholm has consistently led the charge on a wide variety of issues, from labor rights to gender and sexual equality, sustainability, education, and universal access to healthcare.
Long history of gender and sexual inclusivity
Sweden was among the first countries to legalize homosexuality in 1944. In 1972, it became the first country to allow people to legally change their gender.
You can explore Sweden’s history and live your own life in a country that ranks as one of the most gender equal countries today.
Early on sustainability
In 1972, Stockholm hosted the first-ever United Nations conference on the environment, which became the foundation for modern global environmental governance.
Since then, Sweden has continued to be a major home for sustainable efforts and activism.
Hen, the Swedish gender-neutral pronoun
Originally coined in the 1960’s, hen is a gender-neutral pronoun that gained official recognition and was added to the Swedish dictionary in 2015.
Hen is just one way that Swedish culture works to include various identities, backgrounds, and personal preferences.
A European hub for technology, business, and engineering
Stockholm is a major European hub for finance, technology, and innovation.
The city is home to tech unicorns and major industry players like Spotify, Klarna (the buy-now, pay-later finance app), and game developers like King and Mojang, known for Candy Crush and Minecraft respectively.
It also has renowned research institutions, hubs of investment and finance, and huge companies like H&M, Ikea, and Volvo.
All of it comes together to give Stockholm an exciting, big-city atmosphere.
Startup hub
Stockholm is a vibrant center for technology companies and startups, meaning it also attracts some of the best talent from around Europe to work here.
You can learn from professionals working in the industry and visit tech companies ranging from startups to giants like Spotify.
Local university partnerships
DIS Stockholm partners with local world-class research institutions like the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska Institutet, giving you access to these leaders in the fields of computer science, engineering, and biotechnology.
Commute in style
Stockholm has an energetic atmosphere all the way down to the design of its subway stops.
The Tunnelbana, Stockholm’s extensive metro system, has over 90 uniquely decorated stations, giving your journey a sense of personality at each stop.
Read stories about students making Stockholm their home
Betsy’s life abroad
