Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Four Months of Fika (Or, My Time at Uppsala University) Past Review

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology., The University of Texas at Austin) for

Uppsala University: Uppsala - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I've met so many amazing people from all over the world and gained a respect for a country that I admittedly knew very little about before my study abroad. I got to see a little bit more of the world, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes that teach the subject are integrated with labs and all counted under the same amount of credits. Usually, there are no tests until the very end when you have the final. There is often no homework, though there are presentations.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

People were very efficient once you got to ask them questions, though offices close really early in Sweden. Programs were excellent, though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Flogsta, which is student housing, but not university owned. You have your own room and bathroom, then you share a kitchen with 10 other people in your corridor. Great way to meet people!

* Food:

I made everything myself. You probably will have to, as well. There's a grocery store nearby to Flogsta.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

JOIN A NATION. Party at the Nations, and I would also suggest working at a Nation since it's fun you could get money.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Sweden is not The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's super safe. I walked home a mile and a half by myself and somewhat drunk. The path was well lit, there were often people who passed by me, and I never felt unsafe.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I spent most of my money from traveling outside Sweden, but I don't regret that at all. You can get cheaper housing, it's just a bit sketchier.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • Country
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not just take the Swedish culture classes! Take classes with Swedes, since Swedes are awesome! Do sign up for the Basic Swedish classes to meet other international students. Join and work at a Nation to meet a variety of great people. Fika to your heart's content. Also, almost all Swedes are fluent in English, so don't worry about that, but if you want to learn Swedish, you're going to have to be very proactive about it.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Basic Swedish I
Course Department: Languages, 5PU020
Instructor: Carl-Johan Lind
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very basic Swedish. Not very challenging, but the professor was very nice.
Credit Transfer Issues: Didn't try to get credit for it. I didn't need it.
Course Name/Rating:

Biophysical Chemistry
Course Department: Chemistry 1KB405
Instructor: Gunnar Johanson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging, but it was rather textbook-centric, and the textbook was not very good at providing examples. The labs weren't very interesting or intensive. The teacher was very nice, though. I'm not sure if I'd take it again if I had the choice.
Credit Transfer Issues: Nope. Counted it as Physical Methods of Biochemistry. They use the same textbook.
Course Name/Rating:

Animal Structure and Function
Course Department: Biology 1BG203
Instructor: Henning Blom, Per Albherg, Maria Lind Karlberg, Apiruck Watthanasurorot, Barbro Melbin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Excellent. It covers invertebrates and vertebrates fairly thoroughly. The instructors are all great, and Per is a leader in his field (as in, published on the cover of Nature). The lab component helps reinforce the lectures, and you essentially do a dissection of every major classification of the animal kingdom. There's also a
Credit Transfer Issues: Nope. I received credit for Animal Physiology. You could probably also get lab credit, too, but I didn't need it, so I didn't push it.