FIRST STEP INTO UPPSALA’S STUDENT LIFE

What is a nation?

A nation is a type of student association that has been in Uppsala for many hundreds of years. They are named after different regions or cities in Sweden and have some cultural ties to those areas.

Stockholms nation Uplands nation Gästrike-Hälsinge nation Östgöta nation Västgöta nation Södermanlands-Nerikes nation Västmanlands-Dala nation Smålands nation Göteborgs Nation Kalmar nation Värmlands nation Norrlands nation Gotlands nation

How did the nations come to be?

The nations date back to the 17th century and in the beginning, the student nations were a way for students to keep in touch with traditions from home. A bunch of newly graduated students got together, bought a few buildings and started renting them out for newly arrived students. The bond between these students was strong. If anyone had economic issues, they would help each other out with loans. If anyone died during their time at the university (or during a fencing duel) they could (and still can) be buried in the nation’s own grave for free. In short: the nation was a way for you to feel at home when you were far away from it.

What are the nations today?

The nations today are still a home away from home, though membership is no longer restricted to people from the region the nation represents. As an international student (and for most Swedish students), you can join regardless of where you come from.

Today, the nations are student organizations that, among other things, run restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, libraries and provide students with housing. The nations are run on voluntary work by Uppsala students. A more detailed description of each nation can be found on page 30 and onwards.