April 27, 2023
This week, the Swedish military is taking part in large-scale training exercises across the country. From Thursday, April 27th, until Monday, May 1st, you may see military transport vehicles on the roads as well as an increased number of military personnel around Stockholm.
We want to assure you that this increased military presence is part of the planned training exercises and is not a cause for concern. The U.S. Embassy has not sent out any information or alerts about the exercises. You can read more about the military exercises on the Swedish Armed Forces website and in this article from The Local.
February 5, 2023
The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm issued a new security alert regarding “possible retaliatory attacks by terrorists in the wake of recent Quran burning incidents in Europe.” U.S. citizens are advised to
- avoid crowds;
- use caution near gathering sites, such as places of worship;
- use caution when in, and around, all diplomatic facilities; and
- report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
Current students will have received this notice directly as part of their registration with the US DOS STEP program.
The Swedish authorities have not issued additional guidance.
DIS continues to carefully monitor the situation. We understand that a security alert may cause heightened emotions, and we want to remind you that our Care Team is available to support you. You may contact them by emailing care@disstockholm.se or by making an appointment through the DIS Navigate app.
Security Alert: U.S Embassy Stockholm, Sweden
January 25, 2023
DIS is monitoring a string of gang-related violent incidents that have recently occurred in Stockholm. It has been reported in local news that shootings and detonations have taken place over the past couple of weeks.
Local authorities do not believe that there is an elevated risk to the general public. The U.S. Embassy in Sweden has not issued an alert or any guidance for U.S. citizens.
According to local authorities, all incidents have been targeted attacks towards people that have close ties and relationships to rivalry gangs, which have been fighting over control of the drug market in Northern Sweden. While this situation is ongoing, some weapons have been seized and several arrests have been made in the past few days.
For more information, listen to this audio news report from Radio Sweden. Stay updated to the ongoing situation by following Radio Sweden or The Local.
DIS staff will continue to monitor the situation and we will inform you if the recommendations from local or U.S. authorities change. As a reminder, you should review the emergency assistance information on the DIS Stockholm website.
We understand that this may cause heightened emotions, and want to remind you that our Care Team is available to support you. You may contact them by emailing care@disstockholm.se or by making an appointment through the DIS Navigate app.
January 17, 2023
An incident occurred at 03:23 a.m. on January 17, when an explosive device detonated in front of a restaurant in the area of Nytorget. Nytorget is located on the island of Södermalm, yet on the far end from where our Högalidsgatan housing is.
No one was harmed, and the police sent specialists to examine the area. Part of the area is still blocked off for investigation. No further information has been released as of now.
Similar incidents have happened in the past, which follow a similar pattern and are believed to be part of rivaling criminal gangs trying to intimidate each other. These events have shown clear targeting of particular individuals and have seldomly had direct effect on the public.
You do not need to take any steps as there is no threat against the public in this case. However, we remind you to revisit our information on what to do in case of an emergency as it may differ from the procedures at your home campus. Please familiarize yourself with the steps and the pages.
Also, in order for us to be able to alert you in urgent situations, please make sure to keep your DIS Navigate app notifications on, and register your phone number with us in your DIS Student Registration.
To keep updated with local news in English, we recommend the following sites:
January 12, 2023
Resources for your semester
Staying healthy while abroad
Please stay home if you are sick and coordinate with your faculty ASAP and preferably before missing class for the absence to be excused. You will need to keep up with course requirements while out sick if your health allows.
There are no Swedish masking, testing or isolation requirements related to COVID-19. Thus, if you suspect you have COVID-19 or test positive, you are advised simply to stay home. There is no need to move out of your housing or to isolate.
If you have any questions about your health or accessing the Swedish health system, please email care@disstockholm.se and academics@disstockholm.se for academic support needs. If you have after-hour emergency needs, call the DIS emergency phone at (+46) 72 141 2862.
Bias information and education
DIS takes bias incidents and discrimination very seriously, so we developed a tool for you to inform us about bias-related incidents involving you or another DIS student, whether at DIS or in the public.
View more information on the DIS Website: