(edit title) Moving to Lund in March What should we do? Options

[freedream]

Hi everybody,

My family is moving to Lund in March. I'm now quite busy with the leaving preparations. Just want to seek suggestions here - what should we do before and after we arrive?

By the way, my daughter is 8 years old, should she go to the public school or a private international school (fyi, we are leaving China).

Many thanks in advance!

[Puffin]

How long are you planning on staying in Sweden?

If it is a temporary move for a year or 2 then a private international school will be best as you can follow an IB curriculum

If it is a longer term move then you need to consider perhaps the benefits of learning Swedish to a high level to give educational choices later on - either in a public school or a privately run free school that follows the state curriculum - there are also billigual free (charter) schools that teach 50:50 Swedish/English

ps we had some posters from the private international school on here a year or two ago who were devasted to learn that the Swedish they had done is school - which while OK for day to day life - was not of a high enough for University studies so they would have to study for 1-2 years extra to be able to take a free bachelor degree

[rtharper]

ps we had some posters from the private international school on here a year or two ago who were devasted to learn that the Swedish they had done is school - which while OK for ... (show full quote)

ps we had some posters from the private international school on here a year or two ago who were devasted to learn that the Swedish they had done is school - which while OK for day to day life - was not of a high enough for University studies so they would have to study for 1-2 years extra to be able to take a free bachelor degree ... (hide full quote)

I always wondered how that worked out for kids who went to international schools but intended to stay in the country long term...

[byke]

As others have suggested, if you are looking to stay here for a short number of years then you should definetly go to a private international school.

However if you plan for your child to stay here for many years and eventually use a Swedish university then go Swedish.

Personally I can't recomend bi-lingual schools as they (IMHO) only benefit non English speakers.

[agabi]

If your daughter doesn't know any Swedish then it will be good for her to start in international school ..lets say for 1 year until she learn the language. If you find for her any place where she will be able to meet other kids (who use swedish) she will learn the language easily. Children are amazing with the languages..after 1 year she will speak the language much better than you and your wife. good luck!

[byke]

I also believe children are amazing when it comes to language and they can pick it up very quickly.However it is not language that seperate children in school, rather academics.

And since Swedish schools work on such a different system compared with other countries, It can become very problematic for children to be able to adapt if they leave the Swedish education system.

[agabi]

And since Swedish schools work on such a different system compared with other countries, It can become very problematic for children to be able to adapt if they leave the Swedish education system.

so everything depend on ow long you they want to stay in Sweden. If they stay permanently then the daugher will not leave the Swedish system.
If they want to stay for few years only..then maybe the international school will be better.

[freedream]

Thank you all for the above suggestions.

We are first granted a 2-year residence permit and we plan to stay permanently. My daughter knows little English and no Swedish. The level of both language is almost none. Will the IB school be free or will they charge?

Another question, where can we find an apartment in Lund after we arrive?

Is there a government body that can offer help to persons like us?

[007]

international private school are not part of the swedish school system and you would have to pay tuition and other expenses out of pocket. as your child does not speak english either and you plan on staying permanently, i would recommend you begin directly with the swedish educational system.

there are no governmental agencies to assist your search for a home. but you can sign up here to join a queue for housing. it won't help you as quickly as you need it, but long term it might help you find housing