Exploring freely August 11, 2022

By (Stockholm, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/14/2022 to 05/14/2022 with

DIS Stockholm Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad taught me how to be a more self-sufficient adult and showed me just how diverse the world was. The relationships I built are irreplaceable and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have emersed myself in an environment so different to the one I was used to.

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.

The program was just challenging enough while giving me the opportunity to explore Stockholm.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a studenboende which gave me many opportunities to connect with other DIS students as well as Swedish students.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program was mainly American students, but DIS provided ways that we could become more emersed in Swedish culture if we chose.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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 a very expensive city, and while we were given a budget for groceries and all transport was covered, I wish I knew more about just how expensive it was going in

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? Beginner
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? Most Swedes speak English so it was very easy to communicate even though I didn't know any Swedish going in.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Freedom
  • Curiosity
  • Balance
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation
  • Structure
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more specifically how classes would be structured and what housing would be like. I also wish I had more knowledge of the basic language used for groceries because that was initially very overwhelming. I also wish there was more information about what classes would look like and if they would be more lecture-heavy or discussion based