Kalmar can be very cold in winters, and if you're arriving late august-early september, it is advisable to carry jeans and thick shirts for the cold, and fleece or leather jackets for the snow. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, cotton shirts can be used throughout the year. These are cheaper outside Sweden so you may want to stock up on them. Washing is usually done only once in two weeks or so, so plan on enough clothes and socks to last for that long. Campus atmosphere is extremely casual and almost anything goes. But there are some occasions (Parties, Project Presentation etc) where you would want to wear semi formal clothes. Limit the number of formal attire you bring because you will most likely not have much use for these. One suit is good enough. Bring along the essential footwear.(sandals for the summer, preferably, and snow shoes for the winter)
Formals One suit, ties (1 or 2), shirts and trousers.
Casuals Jeans (at least 4 is recommended), T-shirts & sweats (6+), flannel shirts (2+), shorts that are slightly on the longer side (for outdoor, indoor, sports use).
Footwear - 1 pair each of Sneakers,, leather chappals/sandals/loafers, bathroom slippers, snow shoes.
Underwear - About 12 sets of underclothes and socks
Miscellaneous - Towel (2+), napkins (optional), leather belts (2+), a good jacket (pref. leather), hand kerchiefs (6+).
Winter wear Sweater, muffler/scarf, woolen cap, hand gloves, fleece/leather jacket.
Bed sheets (single bed size, 2), pillow covers (big, 2), blanket (for winter/ summer use).
Students are encouraged to bring their traditional state and community dresses to show up in International and other student functions, if any.
Note: Indian clothes (especially cottons) have a tendency to shrink when washed in a washing machine here, so please be careful with sizes or bring good quality ones.
KITCHEN:
Utensils Non-stick pan (1/2), non-stick tava, pressure cooker (for 2-4 people, get some spare gaskets and safety valves as they might not be easily available here),
Foodstuffs Condiments and spices (small quantities of standard masalas, sambar and curry powders - for Indian students, the chili powder here is not upto what we call 'hot'..so u better equip yourself with more chilli than any other spices..and we dont get many indian, thai or asian foods..so u better come prepared for that too..atleast to last for 6-odd months! ), pickles, some sweets for your friends (to please your seniors!!!) Please pack everything to be leak-proof.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Bathroom stuff - Just enough to manage till your first shopping trip. Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners, soap (bathing), a complete shaving kit
Study Materials & Stationary - books related to your field , a good ANSI C / C++ programming book (preferably with a function reference), your calculator, microtip pencils + refills (2), good pens (2), eraser, stapler & staples, drawing accessories (if required), backpack. Most of the stationary is optional. You can also buy it here, but text books are very expensive in Sweden. In general you should get as many relevant text/ reference books as possible.
Medical Prescriptions, medicines for standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomach-ache etc., Also personal medication (if on any) and medical history papers.
Antiseptic cream, relaxyl etc. Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses.
( Note that medical care is relatively expensive here, and you are not allowed to bring medicines from outside to Sweden...so bring enough to last your stay..atleast an year)
Money You will be required to pay rent for one month as advance. This may come to about 1000 kr which you usually will share with other roommates.
Initial expenses in settling down.
Student Union fees (mandatory ) - 150 kr per semester
Other Needles & thread, buttons, photos of deities for the religious, family photos, umbrella (although not 'necessary', it helps when it is raining), music cassettes/cds, walkman, etc.,
WHAT NOT TO BRING:
Rice, washing soap, detergent powder, white papers, blank notebooks, file folders, clothes hangers (you might get a couple for starters,).
The electrical appliances (the voltage rating, frequency and plugs are different here but you can bring goods which run on DC batteries like walkman, CD player, camera etc).,
Please do not bring Knives and other sharp objects in your cabin bag, this might pose a problem for you at the airport. All this stuff is cheaply available at stores here