Stockholm's a great city for study abroad! January 12, 2025
By A student (International Relations, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/16/2024 to 12/14/2024 with
DIS Stockholm Semester
I gained a new perspective both academically and personally. Being able to take classes that challenged my critical thinking and taught me about a different global perspective while also getting to stay with a host family and learn about Swedish culture has been a life-changing experience. It has given me many new skills that I will be able to apply to my academics and life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Amazing classes with professors who take the time to get to know their students and are passionate about what they teach. Classes are supplemented with field studies which provide hands-on examples of what is being learned about in class and also are great opportunities to learn more about Stockholm and Sweden. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
DIS is very professional and organized. The program created an easy environment for students to reach out to staff if any issues arose. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family during my time in Stockholm and I can't recommend it enough! DIS did an amazing job matching me with a host family who was very welcoming and supportive. Living with my host family was one of the biggest highlights of my time in Sweden. It allowed me to further immerse myself in the culture by meeting more people and learning about different Swedish customs. |
| * Food: |
I stayed with a host family which meant they provided most of my meals--all home-cooked and delicious. There is also a great little restaurant in the building where DIS is located which is perfect for lunch between classes and trying Swedish cuisine. Stockholm also has a wide array of great restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Classes do a good job of integrating some information about the local culture into the lessons. Professors were also very encouraging of their students to find opportunities to meet locals--two of my professors even helped connect me to a local rowing club when they found out I row at home and I was able to attend some of their practices. Staying with a host family was definitely the main reason I felt integrated with the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In my experience, Stockholm is a safe city. There are some areas that aren't safe at night or when alone and there were a few instances of violence in certain areas while I was there, but both of those things were avoidable as long as you were aware of your surroundings and following local news. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had asked more questions about what to expect traveling between countries as this was my first time going abroad and I wasn't entirely sure how things like customs and layovers worked. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
