Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A new take on forestry and the environment Past Review

By (Environmental Science., Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/18/2014 to 05/27/2014 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Alvdalen and Stockholm - Forestry and Tourism in Sweden

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This trip showed me a different side of forestry that we do not see at SFA. We were introduced to the technical side of forestry practices and a tourism/wildlife guide program we do not have in out curriculum. The Swedish history has led their forestry management in a direction I would never imagine working in the US but has proven successful in their culture and economy. I enjoyed the trip and am thankful for my experience in Sweden.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was a good mix of fun, adventure and learning

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The school in Sweden went out of there way to give us a great experience and I feel like we left with a good understanding of their culture and landscape

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

On the girls side there were no problems and it was great to live alongside the Swedish students. It was a good way to get to know them and make friends. Even though there were problems on the guys side of the living arrangements, I think everyone learned and the professors will make the rules more clear from the get-go.

* Food:

The food was excellent and there was always more than enough at meal times. It was difficult the first night when we were not used to the early meal times and did not have a way to get snacks because the stores in town closed early. After that we were able to stash some food for evening snacks.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I especially liked when the Swedish students were included in our outings. A few times some students joined us but it would have been even better if we had students come along on all the field trips. My favorite part was the night of the bbq when we joined some of the older students in a couple games of kubb and they hiked up a small mountain with us.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We did not have any health issues that I know of but I am sure they would have been taken care of quickly if there had been any.

* Safety:

Alvdalen felt very safe and I felt comfortable walking around town, trails and campus.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

In Alvdalen, everything was covered. So except for the late night snacks we bought in town we did not have to spend any money to live comfortably. In Stockholm, it was quite a shock at the prices. Some of the students quickly went through the money they had brought with them before they knew it. I lived off of the hotel breakfast buffet that was provided and either an appetizer or splitting pasta for lunch and dinner. I definitely didn't experience the food Stockholm had to offer but I also didn't blow my budget on meals alone.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 400
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be aware that everything is nearly three times the price you would expect it to be. Even the little souvenirs like key chains and magnets are expensive ($15+ dollars). They should try not to spend money when they do not need to and plan ahead for the expenses in Stockholm.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Stockholm (royal palace, skansen and architecture)
  • Outings that included the Swedish students
  • Learning about the Forest Commons system in Sweden
* What could be improved?
  • The rules need to be addressed clearly and at the beginning
  • A larger group of students from SFA would have helped in Stockholm (even though I found I enjoyed sightseeing with the professors)
  • I would have liked the trip to be longer so we could do more in Alvdalen
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Stuff is expensive in Europe (complete opposite of what I experienced in South America so it was a bit of a shock), it was not cold there and there was no need to bring my bulky coat, I should have packed snacks and a refillable water bottle.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.