Live in Vilhelmsro Past Review

By (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) - abroad from 08/18/2016 to 12/22/2016 with

Jonkoping University: Jonkoping - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and learned how big the world is. This was my first international experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The uni was mediocre imo, the courses international students are allowed to take are very limited and quite basic. You take four classes each semester, but only two at a time. This is convenient because it means you can focus on less, but the classes move very quickly.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I am not sure how the uni organised anything and honestly how they kept the school running. It felt like there was no administration. There was one woman in charge of the entire international student base.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was my favourite part of my study abroad. I chose to live in vilhelmsro and had a great experience. The rent was cheap and included heating/ wifi/ onsite laundry/

* Food:

It was alright. There was enough grocery stores in the city to get by. Was a bit expensive to eat out, but groceries were affordable for a student budget.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I could have felt more integrated, but it was mostly my fault I didn't.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have a health care experience, but insurance was provided through the uni.

* Safety:

10000% safe. I never felt unsafe walking around the city even in the middle of the night or by the bus/ train stations.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Wouldnt be who I am today if I hadn't gone!

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)

I am frugal naturally, so I did not have that hard of a time. The gothenburg airport is a 100 kr bus away from jonkoping and has cheap flights if you want to travel. Rent wasn't expensive imo, 3500 kr/ month.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? By the bus ticket, shop at netto, get to aka while its free, don't take cabs unless you're sharing, make your own dinners, one chocolate bar per week

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

The swedish course existed, but I dropped it after a few weeks. There did not seem to be any common curriculum between the different instructors so they just taught you how they wanted. Swedish students spoke to me in english

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? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Just don't unless you're planning on staying in Sweden long term.

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The city
  • Other international students
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with swedish students
  • Interaction with lecturers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have stayed a year