The Great Scandinavian Experience Past Review
By A student (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/04/2012 with
Lund University: Lund - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worth it. I learned an indescribable amount about different cultures, sports, languages, weather, geography, currency, history etc...
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes for exchange students were great. They allowed for me to travel frequently without having to worry about missing an assignment. All of our submissions were online and attendance wasn't required. The professors were very understanding of our interest in traveling. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was told the housing had filled up and my only options were to 2 places in malmo and one in Lund where the university was. I luckily was able to live in Lund at that place but it was 4 miles from the city center. I applied a year in advance. Several people I met applied a few months before and were able to live less than half a mile from the center. Something isn't right about that. |
| * Food: |
Food was whatever I cooked. Going out to eat is what I am used to in the US but in Sweden they don't do that very often. It was a rude awakening. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The swedes are reserved for the most part but fun people once you start talking to them. I really enjoyed the student life and international influence in the small city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Sweden is socialist so I imagine if I had had any health issues while living there that the health care would have been great. I was fortunate to not have to go to the hospital. |
| * Safety: |
Lund is the safest place I have ever been to. The people are non-confrontational as it is but also there are police everywhere. I had to bike or walk 4 miles into town at all hours of the day and never once thought I would be harmed. I can't say that about any other city in the world. |
| 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) |
It was significantly more expensive than what I was used to. Anywhere you live in Sweden is like living in New York City as far as prices. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $170 |
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 |
I took a two week intro course for Swedish but everyone spoke English so it wasn't that important. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Find friends that are fluent and practice with them. Ask lots of questions. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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 practiced the language |
