Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Small program in a beautiful city! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

The Swedish Program: Stockholm, Sweden

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Opportunity to travel a lot and meet lots of cool people. Interesting classes about Swedish culture. Very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great classes, teachers, advisors. Classes had an appropriate amount of work and all needed resources were provided. Teachers were very friendly and knowledgable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All administrators were friendly and helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great apartment, clean and spacious with a good roommate fit.

* Food:

Cooked exclusively for myself in my apartment.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Easy access to student clubs and parties. Swedish language class made it easy to integrate in public. Programs trips and activities within the city allowed for cultural education.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Good access to an American doctor with connections to the program who would schedule an appointment with you promptly. Long wait at hospital in case of emergency but low cost if you bring your passport.

* Safety:

Very safe city, no worries even late at night.

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

Loved my program and the people on it. Stockholm is awesome!

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)

$450 stipend given monthly which was more than enough despite being an expensive city. Stipend funded by tuition costs.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? budget weekly!

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

Encouraged only in swedish language class and in public.

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? 0
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? practice in stores as often as possible! push it even if swedes respond in english.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • contact family
  • program activities
  • two week long breaks
* What could be improved?
  • immersion with swedish students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? classes are mostly with americans

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Psychology of Work
Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Kajsa Asplund
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great teacher with good explanations of topics and relevant experience in the course. Reading reflections every week. Essays (2 total + presentation of essay) were interesting because of their involvement in Swedish culture (interviewing a working Swede). Participated often.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Comparative Public Policy: The Swedish Model
Course Department: Public Policy
Instructor: Jonas Brodin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting topics but a little repetitive at time. Professor was knowledgable but sometimes argumentative in a negative way. Participated often. Three papers requiring only class notes for reference with uninteresting topics in which writing what the professor wanted you to think would receive a good grade.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Crime and Punishment
Course Department: Public Policy
Instructor: Jonas Brodin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting class although a little repetitive. Culminating research project was overly directed but produced a detailed comprehensive product. Participated often. Could have focused more on the swedish prison system.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Swedish Language 1
Course Department: Swedish
Instructor: Eva Löfstedt-Panova
Instruction Language: Swedish
Comments: Appropriately challenging. Encouraged practice both in and outside of class. Very kind, knowledgable teacher who made learning swedish as a beginner fun and easy. Participated often. Assessed orally and with 3 fair tests.
Credit Transfer Issues: