International student Devin went on exchange to Sweden
When I came across the possibility to spend part of my study in the Netherlands in another country, that sounded like an amazing experience. Especially when part of it would be covered by the Erasmus+ scholarship.
“If the opportunity is there, why would you not want to explore another country and its culture?”
Why an exchange to Sweden?
I chose Jönköping in Sweden, because of how reputable the university is, the winter to summer seasons in the country that are a sight to behold, and how international and diverse the city is. I also have siblings who studied there and highly recommended it to me.
How did you prepare?
I already had a solid plan to ensure that my preparation went smoothly and I didn’t miss anything. I consulted firstly with my Study Abroad coordinator at my home university to gather all the documents that would be needed of me. I also took time to go over all of them, because quite a few required signatures from other parties or required me to verify my own personal data with the country I intended to do my study abroad at.
It’s very important to know your deadlines, gather all required documentation, and fill in everything with time to spare, in case anything goes wrong.
How did you finance this experience?
I benefitted heavily from the Erasmus+ Grant. While I was already able to finance my accommodation and groceries, there were still going to be a lot of expenses and potential trips that I would like to participate in.
I also got information from other students that also went abroad, who told me they were able to finance their study abroad by saving up from their part-time jobs or acquiring a part-time in the country that they are doing their exchange semester at.
When it came to groceries we were given a full introduction to the average expenses and it allowed me to properly gauge and map where my weekly, and monthly expenses would go. Of course, I liked to go out as well and have fun, which I could do with the support of the Erasmus+ Grant. It also helped that I’m something of a chef myself, so I could cook for myself.
How was your first week?
The first week involved all the important school related information sessions and an introduction to the Swedish culture. I also familiarised myself a bit with the new environment and purchased some household items to really make my accommodation feel like my own home.
Towards the end of the week, it started becoming interesting when we moved away from the school related information sessions and started with what I call the “fun introduction week”. Jönköping University is renowned for its kick-off week. You spend a whole day doing activities and in the evening, it finishes off with the student night club, Akademien.
How did you make friends?
I come from a relatively international experienced background so the concept of living abroad was not something completely new to me and was familiar even. What I learnt is that don’t feel disappointed if integration with the locals does not yield much success. Depending on the country you go to the culture may be different to what you are used to, and it can seem awkward at times.
Go out to social events, try out new activities because those are the strong bases of where you can meet new lifelong friends. It personally took me a few days, but it paid off to be patient, because I made genuine connections that lasted the duration of my time abroad.
Why do you recommend a study abroad experience?
If the opportunity is there, why would you not want to explore another country and its culture? While the initial reality of having to move to a new country may seem like a daunting task, I have some things that make it worth the effort, no matter how big it is:
- You can take unique and local classes that otherwise are not available to you at your home university.
- If you go on exchange you’ll only pay tuition at your home university, so you can save money on tuition fees when going to a country where the fees are higher than your home university’s.
- Immersing yourself in a new cultural enriches your personal perspective and world view. We can learn a lot about each other and even ourselves by expanding our cultural knowledge.
- Learning a new language can open doors to future possibilities in your career and personal life.
- You will gain international experience and expand your global network. It is very common to form connections with people from every continent on this planet.
Any tips?
- Try out new activities.
- Try joining associations activities or as a member.
- Put yourself out there and don’t lock yourself in your room.
- Tough times are normal, but remember that it always gets better.