Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Experience! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/04/2018 with

The Swedish Program: Stockholm, Sweden

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved my time in Sweden. Swedish culture is so interesting and I really learned how to take a break and surround myself with engaging people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Amazing program in a prestigious European business school. Wide variety of class choices. Engaging professors.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartments were spread out throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. The commute was approximately 20-30 minutes to school.

* Food:

Swedish cuisine is amazing. Stockholm is such an international city with tons of great Italian and Thai restaurants as well.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Choice of having a contact family or a buddy during time at SSE. Led to the opportunity to make many Swedish friends. Also, all exchange students are able to join the magazine, sports teams and various other clubs on campus.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safe city for women. I frequently took public transportation by myself and never once felt unsafe. Most Swedes are very respectful and keep to themselves in public.

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)

Stockholm is expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Location/host school
  • included excursions (Sandhamn and Arctic Circle)
  • Administration
* What could be improved?
  • Swedish Class for Beginners
  • Keeping the Student Apartments Closer Together
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had learned a little bit of Swedish before the trip because it was hard to learn and practice.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Work
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Alexandra Bujawicz
Instruction Language:
Comments: Easy to follow learning objectives with an opportunity for extra credit. Class was open to exchange students, SSE students and Masters students at the Karolinska Institute --this led to lots of interesting discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Swedish Language for Beginners

Course Department: Swedish
Instructor: Camilla Svereus
Instruction Language: Swedish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Comparative Public Policy: Sweden and the EU
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Jonas Brodin
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sociology of Food

Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Ken Wagner
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Best class ever! For many classes we took field trips to various restaurants around Sweden and got to interview many chefs. The course culminated in a research paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: