Swedish Experience January 04, 2023
By A student (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/15/2022 to 12/15/2022 with
DIS Stockholm Semester
N/A
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. |
DIS focused on discussion as a tool to learn in classes which is different at Brandeis because it is more lecture base. The classwork was very easy. There are limited resources available for a tutor for example. |
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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? |
If you enjoy cooking I would not recommend shared kitchen space. It is constantly dirty and interferes with cooking. I would recommend housing with a kitchen in the room, inviting friends, and cooking a meal together. |
| * Food: |
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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? |
It was tough to get an appointment because I did not have a Swedish social security number. I kept getting the run-around and eventually did not see a doctor. However, the pharmacies are beneficial and friendly |
| * Safety: |
I felt completely safe at night traveling alone or with one other person. Did not experience any catcalling or any other forms of harassment. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I enjoyed the culture, the history, and overall country because of the progression in gender equality |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 150 |
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 |
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| 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 |
| 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? | you could find a local and try speaking with them. Also, practice ordering your food in the native language |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | that the program is only with other Americans and you'll only be interacting with the locals depending on your accommodations |
