In between destinations we would have free weekends. This particular weekend I was able to visit London. We saw so much in only 36 hours!

Author: Caroline Bryant | Majors: Political Science, Public Health | Semester: Summer 2023

Studying Abroad in Scandinavia was easily the best decision I have ever made for myself both academically and developmentally. When searching for study abroad programs I had very specific things in mind that I wanted to study. My majors are Public Health and Political Science and I wanted a program that could integrate both as I am interested in Global Health Policy. Immersing myself in a different culture and seeing first hand a different system was very important to me as I want to go into the workforce being as knowledgeable and well traveled as possible. I chose the DIS program because it offered a Comparative Health course and a Public Health Policy course, which both focused on the difference between systems in the US and in Europe. Specifically, my Comparative Health class focused on the health system in Denmark and the Netherlands, while my Public Health policy course focused on policy work in Sweden and Ireland. Each day I would have class for about 3 hours before we would go and explore the city or work on group projects. I found that the class setups were very similar to the U of A, however the social hierarchy is more level in Europe so often our professors would sit and let us teach them. We also called them by their first names which was hard to get used to at first! Each class also had its own respective study tour where we could travel and learn in a different country. For Comparative Health we went to Amsterdam and for Health Policy we went to Dublin. These were unique experiences because they took the classroom out into the world and gave us as many first hand experiences as possible. It’s not often you get to hop on a plane to another country for a class!

One of the best parts of being abroad is experiencing the different cultures. During my time in Europe, I walked everywhere and did my best to do what the locals did. Most people don’t have cars and either bike, walk, or use the transportation system. On my walks I would often stop into bakeries or coffee shops and get a croissant (or a cardamom bun in Stockholm!) or pick up bread/ingredients for my meal that night. We were responsible for cooking our own meals and I am thankful for that because it truly helped me see what it was really like to live there. On my walks I fell in love with the architecture which was often a mix of both old and new that meshed perfectly. Along the little cobblestone streets you could find music and markets full of food and goods, while just down the street you could find a modern art museum full of the world’s up and coming artists. I lost count of how many museums I went to while abroad but each one felt unique and different in its own way. While on a weekend trip in Spain I got to go to the Picasso museum which was one of my favorites as it showed off Picasso’s work and the work of artists he influenced. Another one of my favorite parts of Europe was the amount of trams, trains, and buses that could get you anywhere and my friends and I often would take day trips outside the cities we were in, such as Sigtuna which is the oldest city in Sweden! I found daily life in places like Denmark and Sweden were often very relaxed and people always seemed so happy to help and chat. I find that is missing in my daily life most times and it was so fun to stop and wonder around and truly take in the world around me.

Since I have come home I have not stopped talking about study abroad and the impact it has had on me. I feel like all undergraduate students should go abroad if they have the chance because it is one thing to read about other places, but it is totally different to live and experience life in those places. The DIS program was recommended to me by an older student and I am definitely keeping the tradition by recommending it to others as well. Studying Abroad for me was all about going out of my comfort zone and I would advise prospective students to put their worries to the side and do the things that make them the most uncomfortable. It is within these uncomfortable moments and decisions where you will find life changing experiences. Never in a million years did I think I would have seen and done the things I did while abroad and it all started with a quick email to a study abroad advisor about my intrigue in the program. One thing I wish I would have done before going abroad would have probably been to research a bit more on what to expect when I arrived, but I also learned that sometimes going in blindly is the best way to learn! While I was sad to leave my study abroad experience and the new friends I made behind, I was elated to hug my dogs once I got off the plane!