A Student’s Guide to Nation Life

Welcome to Lund! We are really happy to see that you decided to spend your studies here, and we wish you good luck!

When reading about Lund and Lund's student life, you might have stumbled across the term "Nation" and wondered what that might be, how it works, and how you can participate. We at Kalmar Nation are very international and can understand the confusion when navigating Lund student life for the first time. We are here to help! This guide is supposed to explain the basics of Nations and their role in an active student life in Lund. As Kalmar Nation, we aim to set you off with a good start into life here and make you feel as welcome as possible.

If you have any more questions after reading this, you can always message us (kuratel@kalmarnation.nu) or come visit us during our office hours! Everybody is welcome! Come as you are 💚

Nation Basics

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Nations are essentially social clubs. Depending on where you come from you might have heard terms like “fraternity” or “student association” before, which might give you an idea, but Nations are not quite the same.
When the University was founded, Nations were too, with the purpose to establish clubs for students from different regions and cities of Sweden. This is why they have names like “Kalmar Nation”, “Östgöta” or “Västgöta Nation” or “Göteborgs Nation”, they are names from different places around Sweden. Students could come together with other people from their home-area to get to know each other and do social activities together.
Nowadays, you can join whichever Nation you prefer – you don't have to be from that Nation’s region anymore. Nations are social clubs/student groups that run pubs and clubs, provide housing, and host various meals, parties and events. Nations only differentiate within their activities and events. They are run by students, most of whom work on a voluntary basis.
Kalmar: Kalmar Nation was officially founded in 1696 and was originally made up of students from the coastal town of Kalmar on the southeastern part of Sweden. In the 2010s the Nation started getting an influx of international students, and in 2017 we had our first international Kurator. English became our official working language, and we slowly became known as the most international Nation. Today, we have a good balance of international and Swedish students among our active members and Nation leadership, and we love introducing our international members to Swedish culture and student-life traditions.
There are 13 different Nations in Lund. Except for one (Smålands Nation), all of them have a common collaborative body called Kuratorskollegiet (KK). There, representatives of the Nations come together to discuss topics that concern common events or issues.
Alongside the Nations you can also find the Student Unions (also sometimes referred to as ‘your corps/corpus’) which are basically the representatives of each faculty. In contrast to the Nations, Student Unions are legally protected and receive state funding to represent and organize students. Their elected members mainly work with education surveillance and representing the students and their interests regarding the quality of the education towards the faculty and the teachers. In addition to that, Student Unions also have committees for different activities and organize social gatherings. Contrary to the Nations, their main goal is to ensure the high quality of the university’s education, which includes being in conversation with the university and the teachers. The Student Unions are organized under the common banner of LUS (Lund’s United Student Unions).
The third pillar of student life in Lund is the Academic Society (AF). It is a non-profit organization of and for students with the goal to broaden the cultural aspect of student life. The association has their own committees and gives students the opportunity to participate in for example student theater and spex, band, choir, sports, and festivities. On top of that, AF also provides a large amount of student housing in Lund via AF Bostäder.
Together, the Nations, Student Unions and AF form the “three pillars of student life” in Lund, all represented by “Studentlund”. Studentlund is the umbrella organization and therefore the center of student life at Lund University. You can become a member of it by paying a fee each semester. This membership then grants you a basic access to all the different activities organized by Nations, Unions, and the Academic Association and allows you to join those organizations as well (without an extra fee).
To actually get access to a Nation's events and activities you must officially join a Nation (Step 2) after becoming a member of Studentlund (Step 1).
To do so, you can just come to the office of your Nation of choice once the ‘Inskrivning’-period (period for signing-up) has started. There you need a document of identification and proof that you are studying in Lund, for example your passport and letter of acceptance. The people there then can sign you up and make you an official member, which then will also be noted on your digital Studentlund-membership card.
Being a member has many advantages. All student life is basically organized by Student Unions or Nations and especially when you are an international student, Nations are the place to get to know other internationals as well as Swedes. They are open for all types of students: Bachelor, Master, Exchange, or even PhD. You can participate in their events, go to pubs or club-nights and even become active by working as a volunteer.
On top of that, there is not really a selection of cafeterias in Lund University so most Nations also cook lunches during specific days of the week, which is a pretty cheap way to get food in between classes. All Nations also offer housing to students (more information down below).
A membership in one Nation automatically gives you access to all the events from all the Nations, and you can even switch membership during your first semester in Studentlund and at the beginning of each semester after that.
What difference does it make which Nation you choose if you have access to all events? In general, it doesn’t make too much of a difference unless you plan to get active in a Nation. Different Nations offer different events, the main difference being that they are either a Nation with a focus on pubs (pub-Nation) or a Nation that has a club focus (club-Nation). On top of that, students sometimes pick a nation based on the community they offer, choosing between different ideals and presentation and if they can personally identify with the nation's values. Kalmar, for example, is a pub Nation and known for being international and queer-friendly. But all Nations welcome everybody to events, no matter if you are a member or not.
However, every Nation has different membership benefits. Some Nations give their members free or discounted entry to pubs or clubs, other Nations give you a discount on everything you buy as a member. If you want to become active and get elected for a position within the Nation, or get housing in a Nation, then most of the time it is also required that you are a member.
Joining a Nation is not connected to any requirements other than the Studentlund membership fee that you have to pay each semester. There are no mandatory events or weekly meetings, since most of the Nations are quite big in general.
However, there are so called “Nation Meetings”, which are meetings multiple times a semester where big decisions are made. At these meetings you can get elected into a position in the Nation or just participate in the voting.
In the beginning of each semester, every Nation (as well as the Student Unions and LTH) also organizes a “Novisch Week” – a week of events for new students (“Novisches”), specifically designed for a certain amount of people with different events than the regular orientation weeks. Novisch weeks often feature themed teams, competitions and a big party at the end. Spots are limited so make sure to ask your Nation about it when you sign up at their Inskrivning.
The Nations all have different preferred methods of informing students of their events and menus, but the main places you can get information are:
- STUK app events section
- Studentlund’s events page (https://www.studentlund.se/en/evenemang/)
- Eventlund app (same information as the Studentlund website)
- Facebook events on each Nation’s Facebook page and Instagram
Kalmar has up-to-date information in all of these places, as well as on our website.

Activities

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One of the main benefits to being a member of a Nation is getting to participate in all types of student-only activities and events.

The biggest draw of Nations are the pubs and clubs. Nation pubs and clubs are student-only bars and dance clubs. They are run entirely by student volunteers, and only students of local universities are allowed entry (exceptions can be made - see Guest Cards). Nation pubs offer a meal, snacks and pub food, and a wide selection of alcohol and alcohol-free beverages at a significantly cheaper price than regular pubs in town. Meals are generally 50-80 SEK, alcoholic drinks are 35-60 SEK, and alcohol-free drinks are 15-35 SEK, depending on Nation and selection. Nation clubs are very similar to regular dance clubs. They have a DJ and dance floor and offer similar affordable drink prices to the pubs.
Nation pubs usually do not require an entry fee, but most Nation clubs do. Many Nations offer perks for their members such as lowered or free entry. Clubs often have long lines and therefore offer pre-sale tickets for early entry – these are found in the STUK app. It is also possible to reserve a table at some Nation pubs. This is generally a good idea when there is a pub quiz or a popular themed pub or club, and booking details can usually be found on Nations’ websites and/or social media. Some Nations have their club in a different location than their housing, so be sure to double check the location and address when planning your night!
At Kalmar: we are a pub Nation with a focus on a cozy pub atmosphere. Pubs are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays and there is a small entry fee for non-members. We do not take table bookings or sell pre-sale tickets, so it is very easy to come by last minute and enjoy our pubs! Our pub is in the basement right under the Nation’s main building (Biskopsgatan 12). For more information on Kalmar’s pubs, see Pubs.
Nation pubs are a great place to get dinner, but many Nations offer meals outside the pubs as well. Every Nation has a different schedule with different meals, and some offer (or even require) booking a table in advance. Weekday lunches and weekend brunches are the most commonly offered, but some Nations also offer dinners, cafes, breakfasts, and more.
At Kalmar: we offer lunch every Thursday. The menu varies week to week, but it always offers bread, a meal, and a dessert, as well as free coffee and tea. Our weekly menu is posted on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Discord).
Spex is one of the most popular Nation activities other than pubs and clubs. A “spex” is a comedy theater written and performed by students which often features satire and parody, audience participation, and a mix of singing and dialogue. It is a student tradition at many universities in Sweden and Finland. Spex is not limited to the Nations, there are also some spexes under AF and LTH, but some Nations have a regularly occurring spex-production each semester.
At Kalmar: Kalmar Nation has a spex production every semester, and it is Lund’s only spex that is entirely in English. You can participate in it as an actor, a member of the band, or backstage, so there is something for everyone! The spex has 4 days of performances at the end of the semester, but the preparation occurs over most of the semester, making it a great way to make friends! Check out our spex’s social media (Facebook and Instagram) or contact our spex Foreman (spex@kalmarnation.nu) for more information on how to get involved in the upcoming spex.
Many Nations have “NATU” events, which are alcohol-free events. This can be anything from board games to mushroom foraging to language cafes.
At Kalmar: we have a regularly occurring board game night every other week where we offer a huge selection of board games, free coffee and tea, and snacks for purchase. Board game night at Kalmar isn’t just for groups, it’s common for people to come alone and join up with other people to play! Kalmar has also hosted other fun NATU events such as a murder mystery dinner party, baking nights, movie nights, foraging trips, crafting nights, and more!
Sports are a common activity at most Nations. Some Nations even have regularly practicing teams for especially popular sports, like football or handball.
At Kalmar: At Kalmar we host all various kinds of sporting activities throughout the semester. In the past we have done such things as a racket sports day, an ice skating event, a hike to the beach, a trip to a trampoline park, and a regularly occurring moonlit walk. The kind of activities we do all depends on what the members want to do. So if there is any kind of sporting activity that you want to do, become active and help make it happen!
Some Nations have a choir or band. Choir is a tradition in Sweden and it is therefore quite popular. The Nation choirs and bands often perform at Nation balls, parties and holiday events.
At Kalmar: Kalmar, Blekingska, and Wermlands have combined to create the Gudrunchoir, a choir composed of members of all three Nations that requires no experience to join! https://gudrunkoren.se/
Sittnings are a time-honored tradition in Sweden (and Finland), and are most common at universities, often held within student groups. A sittning is a seated, multi-course meal during which there is singing according to various traditions. Sittnings also often include speeches, performances, or other traditions depending on the occasion. They are generally formal, though there are varying levels of dress code. Participants get an assigned seat at a table, which can be a great way to get to know people!
As singing is one of the main traditions of a sittning, song pamphlets are usually provided, and every student Nation and Union has its own songbook which you can purchase. Those with a songbook get to participate in one of the most loved parts of sittnings – songbook signing. At the start of a sittning everyone passes their songbook to their left-hand side neighbor to write in. Songbooks continue getting passed throughout the sittning and at the end your book will be filled with messages from others! This ends up being a lovely memento of your time in Lund.
There are many other traditions involved in sittnings, and it is something you should definitely experience at least once while a student in Lund.
At Kalmar: we host a “Sittning for Dummies” early in every semester to help new students learn all about sittnings and their traditions. You can sign up for this sittning when you come to the office to join Kalmar! We also host many other sittnings throughout the year. Occasions for our sittnings include the Christmas holidays, the Spring season, and celebrating our volunteers. Spots are limited and fill up fast, so keep an eye on our social media for sign ups!
Balls (also called proms) are also a time-honored tradition of Swedish academic life, especially in Lund. Balls are hosted by Nations, Unions, and other university groups. They are grand events usually only hosted once a year per ball consisting of a very formal (white tie) sittning, a formal dancing afterparty, and then a club-style after-afterparty. Sexa (midnight snack) is also a common ball event, as well as brunch the day of the ball and ball lunch the day after the ball. The Nations’ balls especially come with traditions and customs that have been around for a very long time. These traditions could include speeches, competitions, medal ceremonies, etc. If you attend a ball, expect the unexpected!
Medals are commonly awarded or sold in advance for balls, showing that you have attended. They are then often worn at future balls and white tie student events. Medals are also awarded for things other than balls, such as participating in the spex, volunteering as a Foreman for the Nation, and participating in the Novisch period as a mentor.
At Kalmar: we host our ball Storaste Kroppkakan every other year (odd years), and in off years (even years) we host our mini-ball/formal sittning Minstaste Kroppkakan. Storaste Kroppkakan is the oldest ball-order and student ball in all of Lund. But what is a “kroppkaka”? It is a Swedish dish that basically is a potato dumpling with (traditionally) pork filling (we offer vegetarian/vegan options), served with cream, melted butter and lingonberries.

Getting Involved

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There are many different options for what level of involvement you want to have in a Nation, each with its own responsibilities and perks. Regardless of activity level you can always go to Nation Meetings as a member and vote!

- Most common level of involvement with no associated responsibilities
- Can actively participate in the Nation’s (“actives”) or just have the membership
- Access to all parts of Studentlund, from Nation and Union events to AF housing
- Nation specific benefits (for example, no entry fee at Kalmar’s pub)
- Ability to live in your Nation’s housing (subject to application and queue)
- Democracy! As a member of a Nation you are also entitled to participate in that Nation’s democratic process by going to Nation Meetings to vote on Nation leadership. Nation Meetings usually occur a few times a semester, and they are where Foremen, Kuratel, and other Nation positions are elected.
- You can volunteer to work at any Nation, not just those you are a member of! However, the more you work at one specific Nation, the more you will get to know other active members of the Nation.
  - Most Nations have a volunteering Facebook group (Kalmar also has a discord) where requests for workers are posted
- Being a worker has no responsibility outside of the shift you volunteer for, so it is a great way to get involved with little commitment
- Rewards for working vary by Nation, common rewards are free food and food tickets (to be used for free food at another event), special rewards can be free workers parties and workers trips (conditions vary by Nation)
  - See our volunteer page for more info about working at Kalmar
- Elected at Nation Meetings a few times a semester (3 times a semester at Kalmar), open positions are posted about a month before the meeting
  - See our volunteer page for more information
- Positions can run for a semester or a year
- More responsibilities than workers, the main one being whichever Foreman position they are elected for
  - At Kalmar for example: a pub Foreman is responsible for running bar or kitchen of the pub, a sports Foreman organizes sports events for the Nation, a PR Foreman helps the PR-Mästare design posters and manage the social media (see our volunteer page for full list of positions)
- Additional responsibilities vary by Nation
  - At Kalmar for example: coming to monthly Foreman meetings, be an entry guard at the pub
- More perks than workers, the main one being getting a “green card” (in your STUK app) which allows you to entry to all Nations’ pubs and clubs for free
- Additional advantages vary by Nation
  - At Kalmar for example: early entry to pubs and lunches, discounts, early sign-up for events, etc.
- The Kuratel, in short, runs the Nation
- Kuratel members get elected for a full year
- Each member of the Kuratel is responsible for a different part of the Nation
  - See Kuratel for more information on specific Kuratel positions at Kalmar
- Number and type of positions varies by Nation, but it is 4-7 people and every Nation has a Kurator/Qurator (Q), a ProKurator Ekonomi (PQe), and a ProKurator Social (PQs)
- Some positions are full time and paid, and students will take a year off from their studies to do these positions; other positions are half time and unpaid which students usually do in addition to some amount of coursework
  - At Kalmar, the Q, PQe, and PQs are full time and the KM (Källarmästare) and PRM (PR-Mästare) are half time
- Being in Kuratel and running the Nation is a big commitment and comes with a lot of responsibility
- It also comes with many perks, Kuratel members get to see a side of student life in Lund that few get to experience
- Seniors board (name can vary by Nation) is made up of elected students (“Seniors”) who have been active in that Nation for a long time
- Often made up of former Foremen and former Kuratel who want to stay involved
- The board has regular meetings, supports the Kuratel, and makes decisions about long-term Nation goals and operations
  - At Kalmar, meetings are monthly and are where the state of various Nation operations are discussed and new projects are voted on
- Seniors Board also includes current Kuratel and Inspectorate
- Membership in a second Nation (so you are member of one, and supporting member of another)
- Can afford you some of the perks of being a regular Nation member while still allowing you to be committed somewhere else
  - At Kalmar, supporting members have the membership perk of free pub entry
- Useful option if you frequent one Nation’s nightlife but want to live at or be active in another Nation
- Support membership can be purchased at a Nation’s office
- Note: supporting members can’t vote at Nation Meetings

Housing

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All the Nations offer a variety of student housing in Lund, from corridor rooms to apartments. To get housing in a Nation you must be a member of the Nation in which you are seeking housing.

To get Nation housing you must sign up in your Nation's housing queue. To do this you should check your Nation's website for how to sign up. At Kalmar Nation we have three different houses, with corridor rooms and apartments. You can sign-up to the queues via our website.

A help to getting Nation housing faster is to climb the queuing system(s) that exist, which can be done by becoming active in a Nation. There are many different ways of being active in a Nation (see Getting Involved) and a good start is to volunteer to work at a Nation's different sections (pubs, clubs, lunches, etc.). After you have gathered some experience you can apply to be elected a Foreman at the Nation Meeting.

Some Nations even have Novisch housing. This entails being eligible for housing if you’re a Novisch and sign up. There is then usually a lottery for everyone who signed up to choose people for the housing!

Traditions and Holidays

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Tandem is a yearly student bike race from Gothenburg to Lund! It is a classic Lund student tradition that one should experience. The notorious race is a relay race on tandem bikes, where Nations, Unions, and LTH sections can all participate to experience this unforgettable marathon.
Taking a rented bus together with your Nation/Union/section, the race starts in Gothenburg and then proceeds during the night with multiple stops to change the brave bike-riders. Some more notable stops are the disco in Varberg in the middle of the night and the breakfast served in Båstad by the Nation's/Union’s/section’s inspectorate/actives/alumni.
Every team has a theme and a costume, as well as flags and chants to support each other. The preparations usually also include a Tandem Sittning where you can get to know your teammates better and have some fun together before the race!
Valborg is a must if you’re a Lund student! Also known as Siste April (“the last [of] April”) in Lund, it is a traditional celebration in spring from 30th of April to 1st of May where there is a giant bonfire lit to, historically, welcome the new and out with the old. Today, there are many more events than only the bonfire in Lund. The city, university, and the Nations all have special events that one should not miss.
Nation events: differ every year, so keep an eye out on social media for what might appear! It is basically a mini-festival over a couple of days with a lot of partying. Nations have special clubs and pubs. Live artists and live music, themed events and drinks, and sponsorships are just a few things that are common at the Nations’ Valborg events.
University events: on the 1st of May the principal of Lund University holds a speech including a final judgement by the students whether or not their duties were fulfilled and actions were satisfactory. The chairperson of LUS gives the second speech about the judgment.
The days of and around Valborg:
- Skvalborg (28th of April)is the first pre-party party to build anticipation leading up to the big day
- Kvalborg (29th of April) is your other pre-party party day, make sure not to stay up too long!
- Valborg, the big day, Siste april (30th of April); Valborgsmässoafton is here! Expect Stadsparken to be packed with people starting from 6 in the morning, remember to wear sunscreen and drink water. After some hours in the park, and seeing the bonfire in the evening, there is usually a club or party to join in the evening as well.
- Finalborg/Första Maj, 1st of May celebration; this is your opportunity to listen to some Swedish classical choir songs and watch the evaluation by the students of the vice-chancellor of Lund University, “vivat or pereat?” approval or disapproval?
The Nation vs Nation Tug of War tournament is something that is done in ties with Valborg celebrations. It is a competition between Nations to see which one is the best at Tug of War, aka rope pulling. All the Nations gather at Lundagård in front of the AF Castle (AF-Borgen) and then compete against one another. It is usually accompanied by music and Nation songs. After participation the Kuratel lines up to be caked in the face with whipped cream.
Fun fact: Kalmar Nation has now (2024) won the Tug-of-war competition for 8 consecutive years!
Lucia is a Swedish tradition celebrated on the 13th of December where you go watch and listen to people dressed up in white gowns holding live candles sing classical and traditional music pieces, often in a choir. There are usually multiple Lucia concerts that you can attend around Sweden, they are different everywhere. There is always a performance in Lund that you could watch. Most schools and young students in Sweden have participated in a Luciatåg (“Lucia train”), which is what the process of the performance is called, i.e slowly walking in to the designated spot for the choir, singing the songs, then walking out again.
At Kalmar Nation, there is a tradition that the Kuratel sing for some of the tenants of the Nation very early in the morning.
Celebrated at the end of June in the week of the summer solstice, Midsommar is a Nordic tradition that celebrates the longest day of the year. If you travel up further north you will find that the sun actually never sets around this day and the middle of the night just looks like a two-hour sunset. Midsommar entails the same Swedish dishes served at Christmas and Easter: sill, nubbe (alcoholic drink), potatoes, and köttbullar - to name a few common ones. Essential sides are Midsommar sourcream, chives, and strawberries. Today, Swedes consume a lot of alcohol, make flower crowns, eat köttbullar, and dance and sing around a Maypole decorated with flowers.
Note: most Nations are closed around this time, but if you and some uni-friends (or Nation friends!) are in Sweden during Midsommar you could throw your own little get-together, or go see the Midsommar events that Lunds Kommun (Lund City municipality counsel) organises.
Oh Fika! One of the dearest concepts in Sweden is having a fika. Taking time in the day to take a break, have some coffee and a sweet pastry before continuing your day's musts. In Sweden fika is loved so much that there is a dedicated calendar day to different common fika types! The Swedes love having any type of reason to have fika, and these are some days to mark in your calendar:
- Kanelbullens dag - day of the kanelbulle (cinnamon roll)
  - Celebrated on 4th of October
- Kladdkakans dag - mud cake/gooey chocolate cake day
  - Celebrated on 7th of November
- Fettisdagen/Semmeldagen - day of semla
  - Celebrated 47 days before Easter, so this fika day can be celebrated earliest on the 3rd of February and latest on the 9th of March.
- Våffeldagen - waffle day
  - Celebrated on 25th of march
There are more dedicated fika days in the Swedish calendar, but these are some of the most commonly celebrated ones.
Special within Kalmar Nation: “Fössta-tossdan-i-mass” is a fika day celebration where one should eat Prinsesstårta (Princess cake, marzipan cake) on the “first Thursday in March”. It is often celebrated at Kalmar Nation with princess cake fika during office hours. This tradition exists because of the dialect in Sweden, småländska, which is spoken in the county Småland, where the city Kalmar resides, and makes this date sound particularly funny.

Dictionary

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Academic quarter: or “akademisk kvart” means that classes and students’ social events in Lund start 15 minutes after the scheduled time. This is a norm that comes from the time when students abided by their class schedules with the help of the cathedral’s bells.

Active(s): a term used to refer to people who volunteer to work semi-regularly at a Nation’s sections (including Foreman and Nation leadership).

AF: Akademiska Föreningen, The Academic Society. Resides in AF-Borgen (aka the AF Castle). Gives students the opportunity to participate in activities such as student theater, band, choir, and sports. Also runs AF Bostäder, which provides a large amount of student housing.

Fika: a coffee and sweet pastry break.

Foreman: an elected position in a Nation that helps run various Nation operations. There are many different kinds of Foremen (see volunteer for the full list of positions).

Inskrivning: the sign-up period where you can choose a Nation to join, so you can get access to student life. Go to your chosen Nation during office hours to sign up.

Inspectorate: a board made up of one Inspector/Inspectrix (a university-affiliated teaching academic, usually a professor), who is the formal head of the Nation, and a few alumni members who advise the Kuratel and Seniors on running the Nation (Pro-Inspector/Pro-Inspectrix).

KK/Kuratorskollegiet: the collaborative body for all 12 Studentlund Nations, where the Kurators of all Nations sit to collaborate and discuss for all Nations.

Kuratel: the executive board that runs Nations on a day to day basis. The people that you will meet during a Nation's office hours.

Kurator (Q): an elected position on the Kuratel of a Nation. The highest executive person in a nation. Always a full time position. The representative of the Nation in Studentlund and Kurators Kollegiet (KK).
PQe (ProKurator Ekonomi): an elected position on the Kuratel of a Nation. Is the person responsible for the economics and bookkeeping of a Nation.
PQs (ProKurator Social): an elected position on the Kuratel of a Nation. Is the person responsible for the Foremen and general human relations. At some Nations they are responsible for purchasing food, drinks, and other supplies.
KM (Källarmästare): an elected position on the Kuratel of a Nation. At Kalmar, The KM is the “basement master,” and they are in charge of the alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages of the Nation.
PRM (PR-Mästare): an elected position on the Kuratel of a Nation. Is the person responsible for all the PR (public relations) of a Nation such as the nation's social media, website, and merchandise.

Medals: commonly awarded or sold in advance for balls. Can also be received when service to a nation, union or section has been completed. You wear your medals to all future sittnings or balls you might attend. They are nice little collectibles to commemorate your time in Lund.

Nation: an association for students by students. Has ties with a city or county in Sweden. See list of Nations here on Studentlunds website.

NATU: is an acronym for “Nationens aktivitets och- trivselutskott", translated to: “the nations activity and well-being committee”. Hosts a range of alcohol free events at nations.

Novisch: what a new student to Lund University is commonly referred to as.

Senior: a person who is on the Seniors board (name can vary by Nation). The board is made up of elected students who have been active in that Nation for a long time, whose purpose is to support the Kuratel and work towards long term plans.

Sittning: a (most often) planned three course dinner that you attend with a varying level of fancy dressing up. Can be themed. Nations, Unions, and other student organizations all host their own sittnings.

Songbook: the best memory of Lund you will have. Having a songbook in Lund means you have a little booklet filled with mostly Swedish songs that you bring to sittnings to be passed around the tables for guests to write or draw something nice, funny, or naughty. There are specific songbooks after every Nation, Union and LTH section. Remember to bring a pencil!

Spex: a traditional student theater performance with improvisation, music, and comedy.

Studentlund: the umbrella term for much of Lund student life. A membership in Studentlund means you pay one fee and get access to all of student life, a Nation, a Union, and membership at AF.

STUK: the app where you will find your digital Nation-card, so that you can enter the Nations’ pubs/clubs etc. Also to find student discounts, Nation club tickets, and Nation event information.

Written by Francesca LoVerde (PRM HT24-VT25), Elena Krall, and Wilma Högberg