Finding home far from home – a warm welcome to the new tenants
As the autumn semester kicks off, KI Housing is happy to welcome around 450 new tenants to four accommodation areas. One of the new faces in KI Residence Solna is Erik Bassermann, who recently moved into his studio with shared kitchen.
KI Housing caught up with him to hear his first impressions of his new home and community:
"Everything is so well organised and thought out, I half expected a robot to offer me a cup of coffee," Erik Bassermann laughs, recalling his arrival to KI Residence Solna in August.
Favorite spots
Erik Bassermann, like many international students and researchers, has found more than just a place to stay — he’s found a space that feels like home. From the cozy window nook perfect for sunset watching to the high-tech vacuum system built into the walls, he thinks that KI Residence Solna offers both comfort and convenience.
"Besides the window in my room, the kitchen is another favorite spot. I love the large glass façade where you can look straight out onto nature," he adds.
Except from the apartment itself, Erik Bassermann has already begun exploring the surrounding area. He recommends Hagaparken for peaceful walks through nature.
A special tip on a hidden gem? The Room of Silence at Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, is a perfect place if you need a quiet moment for yourself.
An international community that builds bridges
The community in KI Residence Solna is just as vibrant as the surroundings. Erik Bassermann describes it as “very international — building bridges all the time and showing that KI can be a wonderful platform to bring nations together.” Events like the international potluck dinner hosted by the residence assistants help encourage this sense of community.
When asked what “home” means to him, he reflects:
"Home is something you carry in your heart. When you ‘unpack’ it in a place, and that place gives comfort and belonging, then it becomes home. Often, it’s not the location that matters most, but the people who fill it with warmth and joy and, well … make you feel at home."
Despite the challenges of moving abroad, Erik Bassermann encourages others to embrace the experience. He highly recommends KI Housing to incoming students and researchers at KI.
"Living this centrally is a real privilege—and definitely a big plus, since finding housing in Stockholm on your own can be quite challenging," he says. "Also, the staff at KI Housing are super kind and helpful (I didn’t get paid to say that )."
Supporting international students and researchers at KI
KI Housing has been welcoming more than 20,000 international students and researchers from over 100 countries during a 30-year period, offering them a first place to stay during their time at Karolinska Institutet.
"We are proud to support KI’s international community and to offer this service to international students and researchers," says Petrus Jansson, acting head of property at KI.
"Our goal is to provide not just a place to stay, but a welcoming and supportive environment that helps ease the transition into life in Sweden and at KI," he continues.
As new tenants and researchers arrive from all over the world, KI Housing is happy to see that the accommodation areas are once again buzzing with energy, academic exchange and cultural diversity.
Whether it’s through a shared meal at a potluck event, or simply watching the sunset from a window nook, KI Housing continues to be more than just a first stop in Sweden. It’s a place where academic and global journeys begin—together.
KI Housing accommodation
KI Housing provides 623 rooms and apartments in different accommodation areas in Stockholm. Two of the areas, KI Residence Flemingsberg and KI Residence Solna, are located on the two campuses in Flemingsberg and Solna.