A Californian's first experience with public transportation and an actual winter Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 01/02/2014 with
USAC Sweden: Växjö/Kalmar - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
I definitely have a more well-rounded understanding of people from other cultures, especially Sweden but thanks to the fact I lived with international students, a lot of other cultures as well. I got to visit so many amazing places through VIS and other things and it was just a wonderful opportunity to explore and learn
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
It was fine, but it was entirely up to me, I made my own food. So not really a reflection on the program or university. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't really have any health care needs during my time abroad, didn't effect me much. |
| * Safety: |
One of the safest places I have ever been in my life. |
| 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) |
Rent was ~$400+ per month, food was probably $50+ per week plus other expenses |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably about $70 not including rent. |
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 |
Everyone in Sweden speaks English and LIKES to speak it, so consequentially when they know you are a native English speaker they tend to want to speak it with you and therefore you get less of a chance to practice. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to live on-campus, not in Vallgatan. Vallgatan is great in a lot of ways but it is mostly exchange students so you don't get to practice in your home environment. Then again - it also has easy access to the town, which can give you more practice if you venture out often enough. Just depends where you'd rather get the practice. Also the nature of Vallgatan could change later, so don't take it is a for sure. |
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? | Get a debit/credit card with a chip and with a code, it will literally solve most of your problems. Food is VERY expensive. You are going to need a bike (and make sure it has a headlight). |
