Changed my life: I want to live in another country. Past Review

By Marta U (PSYCHOLOGY., Western Washington University) for

Umeå University / Umea: Umeå - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

WWU is not very helpful to people who study abroad. My program went a bit beyond winter quarter but I had to sign all this paper work to get back in, I wasn't allowed to work my jobs until I was registered for classes (they initially told me I would be able to then half way through my trip said I couldn't so I had to figure something else out). They had no "extenuating circumstances" for study abroad people. If you did not fit into the tight bureaucratic system of theirs then sucks to be you!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The grading system was basic, Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction. Not as strict as in the U.S. Although I had one semester course and I had received only a Pass on the 1st half of the course - so I could only receive a Pass for the entire course even if I got a Pass with Distinction on the Final. Did not convince me to try beyond getting a pass.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They were very supportive of incoming international students because they have so many - almost 450! Once you have housing, all repairs are taken care of, they have a huge buddy program which can allow you to do certain activities it may have been difficult to do on your own. They were awesome to foreign students.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	You live in corridors in buildings. We had 9 residents in our corridor and cleaning was split between us. The corridor I got was awesome but its hit and miss with who ends up in your corridor. I was in Alidhem - also called the "student ghetto" because 300 or so students live there. I recommend that area because its close to everything and most parties. You need to buy sheets what not but my room had left over sheets from the previous tenant.
* Food:	Grocery store nearby - just cook your own meals - cheapest way to go.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Adventure Bath, dog-sledding, most activities you can do you can sign up through other programs. I did some skiing which was cool and went on a tour to Estonia, Russia and Finland. I recommend branching out on your own - no need to stay solely within the program.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I had no safety or health issues but Sweden does not have a high crime rate and if you had a medical emergency - they would take care of you. If you are there for 1 year you get free health care. If only half a year then you need to purchase your own.
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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	Practice with anyone who speaks the language. I would have needed Swedish more but everyone spoke English so I fell in the bad habit of just using English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The people I met Independence - not confined to a strict list of things to do
* What could be improved?	WWU could be more receptive to international and study abroad students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you don't feel nervous about something, you are doing something wrong.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Gender, Sex, and Bodies: Theories and Debates
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was a masters course and I suppose I was a bit unprepared for it. I think I needed more skill on the style of writing needed to the course but was given no help or feedback on the midterms so I couldn't improve my final.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I don't know yet - I am still waiting to receive my grades.