Arrival Day Schedule (Spring 2019)
To Do Checklist:
- Contact family/friends and inform them that you've landed safely (in both airports)
- Purchase bedding (pillow, quilt, quilt cover, bedsheet) (new) - SEK450
- Set up SIM Card (from Welcome Pack - you'll receive this when you "check in" on campus at the IKDC building)
Flight from Sydney to Dubai, Dubai to Copenhagen:
Flight: Emirates Airbus A380-800
Special Meal: Western Vegan
The plane was massive - this is the first time I've flown on a double-decker aeroplane which was super exciting! I got to peek at the upper deck (but it was understandably closed off). Next time if possible I'd book seats in the upper deck, quite a few seats are classified as "economy" so there is no extra charge BUT you do get to exit the plane first.
Here's the food they served: (fun fact about myself: I love plane food. One thing I like most is seeing what they come up with to serve! This was the first time I ventured into the "special" meals and was not disappointed with the vegan option!)
Meal 1 - Sydney to Dubai, dinner. Roasted carrots, couscous with capsicum, peas, (the tomato + dip thing I had no idea what it was - the dip was a lot stronger than I expected, and tasted a bit like sour hummus), coconut rice pudding dessert, bread with dairy-free butter, water, apple juice and tea with soy milk.
There was also this delicious "sandwich" (it was more like an oblong bun with a delicious vegetarian curry that I unfortunately forgot to take a photo of!
Meal 2 - Sydney to Dubai, breakfast. Baked beans, roasted tomato, falafel, roasted carrots + zucchini, fruit salad, celery + cucumber sticks with walnuts and dried apricot, water, bread + dairy-free butter, water, apple juice and tea with soy milk.
Meal 3 - Dubai to Copenhagen, "lunch snack" sandwich.
I loved this! It was filled with pumpkin and capsicum as well as a delicious lightly spiced spread (kind of like salsa?)
Meal 4 - Dubai to Copenhagen, Main Meal. Eggplant curry with rice and lentils, coconut + berry tapioca pudding, salad (I could taste some spring onion - yum!) water, bread + butter, vegan cheese and crackers, tomato juice and tea with vegan "creamer".
Landing in Copenhagen Airport:
You know when someone tells a joke that's just so lame but they find hilarious that you just can't help but smile? (No?) Anyway, that's the feeling I had landing in Copenhagen. Here's the view exiting the plane:
My first impression of Copenhagen Airport was "Wow! The floor is really beautiful." The walkways were made of these auburn wooden panels (your typical gorgeous Scandinavian interior) and there were clear signs directing in Danish and English. Getting past immigration was quick, the usual show passport, say how long you're staying for (and in my case, because exchange is longer than 90 days) I had to provide the documents for my residence permit. Easy!
Afterwards was devastating because there was what looked like a mob clustered around the luggage carousel for everyone who flew in from Dubai. Mostly people just dejectedly joined the queue to retrieve their luggage from the mass of bags either rotating or just piled on the floor and then queue to get past customs. I was waiting in queue for about three hours, but on a more positive note there was ample chance to get to know other exchange students who were also queuing! Customs asked whether I was bringing alcohol, cigarettes or prescription medications and checked all my bags, but after that was over I followed the "fast exit" floor sign in blue and headed out.
There was a Lund University booth right outside the exit of the airport where the group of us were met by an International Mentor. We were offered candy and a choice of fruit (apples + mandarins) to keep us going and the mentor showed us how to purchase tickets for the train to get to Lund. The welcome was really warm and alleviated some of the anxiety I had around what would actually happen when arriving at Lund C Station and the logistics of manoeuvring our luggage around.
The Oresund Bridge Train Ride
I was incredibly excited to catch the train across the Oresund Bridge that connects Denmark to Sweden via Malmo (since I'm an avid fan of the TV series Bridge). It was about 45-minutes - keep your our tickets and passports handy for the transport officers (we had two come our way to check).
Arriving in Lund
On arrival at Lund C Station we were greeted by more International Mentors who then helped transport our luggage down a lift and led us to the station "pick up" point. We were given more candy, a cookie and mingled with other students before being transported via a mini-van to the IKDC building where the "check in" happens.
Checking In:
- An International Mentor will give you a blue A5 sheet of paper with a checklist of everything you need to do while checking in at the door. Keep this handy!
- Luggage drop
- Check In - meet with another International Mentor who will officially put you into the Lund system. You will need your passport and letter of acceptance. This mentor will then give you your Welcome Pack (yay!)
The Welcome Pack
Your welcome pack will also have a one-month 5GB data SIM card there for you for SEK149, but I exchanged this for a six month SIM card (SEK799). The SIM can be used all throughout Europe and re-charged at convenience stores. I just went with the six month card for convenience.
Next:
- If you stay with LU Accommodation or AF Bostader, pick up your keys
- Find the Telenor booth and charge up your SIM card
- Check out the Skanetrafiken booth: you'll get a new jojo card loaded with one free trip to the city but they recommend you simply using the Skanetrafiken App (as a student you'll get a 25% discount on any trip booked through the app).
- Set up your campus internet (eduroam) at the IT Support Desk (the mentors here were lovely, a particular shout out to Johan - he's great if you get the chance to meet him!)
- If enrolled in the SUSA courses, go to the desk and purchase the course materials (SEK20)
- Purchase Orientation Activity tickets (if you haven't done so already!)
- Purchase bedding + linen (if needed)
The SUSA Course materials, jojo card and SIM card package
Finally:
Collect your luggage and queue for the mini-van service - this service will drive you to your accommodation, even if you don't stay with LU or AFB. If you stay with either LU or AFB, when your mentor drops you off they will tell you exactly where to go and how to get to your room (I was a bit worried arriving at Sparta when it was already dark but thanks to the mentors orienting myself was easy).
By the time I left the IKDC Building it was already 18:00, and after a 24-hour flight with very little sleep I was absolutely knackered so missed the Arrival Meet Up. Instead, I showered and ate dinner - I definitely recommend bringing cup noodles or just extra snacks if you land late or get delayed at the airport (like I was!)
All in all, Arrival Day was fantastic. The staff and mentors really go out of their way to make sure you feel welcomed and safe in Lund. The processes (once you're out of the airport at least) are very efficient and everyone is very friendly. I had a great first day!
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