Sweden Looks Good on Me

Author: Lauryn Peters | Major: Biochemistry | Semester: Summer 2025
I studied abroad in Sweden during the summer, from May 11th to May 30th, visiting the cities of Jönköping and Stockholm. I chose this program because of its strong group dynamic and the opportunity
to build relationships with other Pre-Medical students from the University of Arkansas. I wasn’t disappointed—being part of a set group really helped  me find my people and create meaningful friendships. My sister, who is four years older and was also in the Honors College, studied abroad in Rome. While she had a great experience, she mentioned it was hard to form connections without a built-in group. That stuck with me, and it’s part of what made this Sweden program so appealing. I was especially interested in this program because it combined classroom learning with hands-on experiences, like visiting hospitals, preschools, and other healthcare facilities. We spent three weeks
learning about the Swedish healthcare system and how it compares to the U.S. system. We explored both
the similarities and the differences, and we discussed how some of Sweden’s strengths could be
incorporated into our own system. This experience not only deepened my understanding of Swedish
healthcare but expanded my knowledge of healthcare in general.
I’m very academically driven and school is my top priority, so being surrounded by other students who
were just as motivated and who had been accepted into such a competitive program was really refreshing.
One of my favorite parts of the entire trip was the conversations we had—both in and out of class. Every
discussion brought out a variety of perspectives, and I loved how bold and thoughtful everyone was. I
never once felt like I was “too much” for asking questions or being curious—it was a space where being
passionate was celebrated, not judged.
For the first week and a half, we studied at Jönköping University and interacted daily with students from
their campus—mainly OT students. They had such a deep understanding of their own healthcare system
and were just as curious about ours. It was eye-opening to hear how shocked they were by the idea that
access to healthcare in the U.S. can depend on your income. These exchanges weren’t just
informative—they sparked really meaningful conversations about values, systems, and human rights.
We also attended multiple lectures from guest speakers and professors who introduced us to different
approaches to healthcare delivery. These weren’t just theoretical—they were practical and relevant. One
lecture that stood out to me focused on advocating for children’s rights. As someone who works in
pediatrics and leads a youth group, this was incredibly impactful. It helped me think about how to better
incorporate children’s voices into my work and give them a space to express themselves and grow.
If I had to give one piece of advice to students thinking about studying abroad, it would be: do, do, do.
You might feel tired after classes and be tempted to nap, but you’re only in Sweden once. Take the extra
walk, join the dinner, go explore. These are the moments you’ll remember. I’ve had classes with many of
the students on this trip for two years and somehow never got to truly know them until we were abroad.
This experience gave me a new circle of people who care deeply about their futures and making a
difference—and that alone made the trip worth it.
This experience was truly life-changing. It expanded my academic understanding, deepened my passion
for healthcare, and surrounded me with people who inspired me. It’s something I’ll carry with me for the
rest of my life