Enjoying some afternoon kayaking in Stockholm
Author: Gary Jackson | Majors: Biology, Chemistry | Semester: Summer 2023
As I entered the “Health Teams Abroad: Sweden” study abroad program, my main goal was to compare privatized healthcare in the United States to universal healthcare abroad. Universal healthcare has long been a controversial topic in the United States, with conflicting opinions, research, and arguments both for and against it. Excited for the unique opportunity to explore beyond common narratives I’ve heard and to witness the actual practice of universal healthcare, I landed in Sweden excited for the lessons I would learn. Yet, my experience became more than a comparison between healthcare systems, but one where I immersed myself in learning about Swedish culture and its society, which possesses a syncretic blend of American culture and elements specific to Sweden. In our first dinner consisting of tapas (small savory dishes and appetizers), we enjoyed conversing with native Swedish college students. I was impressed to learn that English is taught in Swedish schools starting in second grade, and I enjoyed having fluid conversations in English! Our classroom style surprisingly followed a similar mannerism to the conversations we had with Swedish students and locals, as teachers and students alike asked genuine questions, listened intently to the unique perspectives of others, and contributed our own unique ideas. After attending class at Jonkoping University, we visited healthcare practices and saw the real-life applications of what we had learned. I especially enjoyed the discourse that was encouraged by teachers & healthcare providers on our visits to allow every student to expand beyond what we heard in lectures and ask questions specific to our interests. It was unlike any learning experience I’ve ever had, as every student’s strengths were allowed to show and blended with others to create an active learning environment that ceased to fail even as we left classrooms. Questions were always being asked, whether on walks to bus stops, tours of museums, or over Swedish fika. I cherished seeing the passions of so many others all come together to create a group united in exploration and learning.
Outside of the classroom, we explored all that Sweden had to offer. Whether walking down bustling streets, touring historically rich sites such as the Nobel and Vasa museum, or biking on the islands of Sweden, the beauty of Sweden was always on full display. Some of my favorite memories of the program were unplanned, such as enjoying an hour-long conversation with a waiter at a restaurant or discussing hobbies with a veteran Swedish guide on the walk back from a long hike. Our days often ended with my study abroad group sitting in our dorm’s common room (which had an unbelievable view of the city of Jonkoping), excitedly talking and reflecting on all we had experienced that day and the lessons we had learned.
Without any reservation, I would recommend this program to any pre-health student. The Health Teams Abroad: Sweden program pushed me to explore beyond my comfort zone, something I loved doing. From our classroom talks & healthcare visits to when we walked the streets of Sweden, I was always learning as a student and growing as a person while joining an unbelievable group of students doing the same. This program allowed me to see what healthcare is capable of and to encourage those in my communities to care and invest in the well-being of others to bring altruism and kindness to those in need. I gained friends for life and shared unforgettable memories filled with laughter, smiles, and tears with a group I wouldn’t trade for the world. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to be a part of such a program, and I cannot speak highly enough of the faculty, strangers, classmates, and friends who made my journey so worthwhile. I am glad to be home and enjoy American cuisine, but I hope to soon return to Sweden and enjoy an afternoon fika!