From Karl XII to Gösta Berling - A Cultural Experience in Sweden Past Review
By A student (History & European Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 01/18/2013 with
Uppsala University: Uppsala - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned about and became fascinated with Swedish History, and was able to research aspects of Swedish history that contributed to my own research at home. Everything I learned about Swedish culture was worthwhile.
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. |
Light-medium course load. Resources hard to come by. A serious lack of library resources in English created numerous study and research difficulties. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Poor administration led to confusion regarding exam times/dates, online student portal, essay submission, etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Kantorsgatan housing was very nice; quiet and clean; good location. The Student Accommodations Office inflexible and unwilling to assist students. Office makes rental agreement vague, then is unwilling to work with student to resolve issues when complications arise. Very unimpressed with the housing admin. |
| * Food: |
Made and prepared my own food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would not recommend Uppsala to a mature student (or any student over 25). Being older than the other students is a serious disadvantage. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
Very safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Everything in Sweden was much more expensive than I had been prepared for. Very expensive place to live and study. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | varied greatly, depending on activities (museums, travel, etc) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring EVERYTHING. If I had not brought 4 months worth of necessities (toothpaste, shampoo, contact lens solution, etc) I would not have been able to stay, as everything costs 5 X more here than in America. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | How expensive it is to live in Sweden! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
