The Chinese students number has reached 826 in Stockholm alone ranking the first among international students with an increase of 18 percent from 2017 to 2018.
CRI’s Chen Xuefei has talked with Maria Fogelstrom Kylberg, CEO of Stockholm’s Academic Forum about it.
Q: So we just get to know that you have just released an international students report, can you brief us what is the main situation now?
A: The big news for us is that we can see over the last three years, the international students population in Stockholm has grown by 20 percent. Compared with last year, it is five percent increase. What is more interesting news is that the Chinese students population has become No.1 in Stockholm. They used to be No. 3, but now they passed Germany and Finland who traditionally used to be the largest students group in Stockholm.
Q: What is the reason behind this you think?
A: I think it is the result of deepened collaboration between universities in Stockholm and China, and in the other countries, it is more and more important to have common programs, to have good relation and to exchange students between countries.
Q: So it is good sign of good relation between China and Sweden!
A: I think so, because you don’t go abroad and pay a lot of money for an education if you are not pleased with the result, so I think it is a good sign of good quality education and also good relations.
Q: What have you done to attract international students?
A: Yes, Stockholm Academic Forum is working with the main target to profile Stockholm as an academic destination towards scholars and students. So we showed different ways on how to come to Stockholm, we have to show what is attractive to Stockholm, our education and our city, the place to live, where we have important values. It is highly innovative city, many interesting works and it is a very democratic city, it is an equal city and sustainability and it is a very clean city which is appreciated by many students.
Q: Maybe that is the most important, it is a very beautiful city.
A: Of course, it is very nice to live here, absolutely.
Q: Thank you very much.
A: You are welcome.
