UQ Program: Bachelor of Arts
I studied English Literature at Uppsala University during the spring semester for 5 months, and wish I never had to leave. Contact hours were about half that of what I was used to at UQ, and assignments tended to be less frequent but making up a larger portion of the overall grade. The labyrinth that is Engelska Park was built to confuse, with no real order as to room numbers. My advice is to go half an hour early and just walk around until you hit the right room. In terms of assessment, it is probably best to enjoy the first few weeks, get as much assessment complete in the middle of your trip and then be free to enjoy the end. While the partying never seems to stop, as people’s exchange draws to a close the level of social activities hits fever pitch, and as summer was beginning to create endless days, I had very little time to finish school work.
Within the first few weeks of your arrival you are expected to sign up with one of the University’s 13 nations. Don’t stress too much about the decision as it really doesn’t affect anything, you can still work and attend all the nations. The nation system itself is something that I, nor any other international student that I met, had ever experienced before. They are beautiful clubhouses in which food and drinks are far cheaper than those at regular bars or restaurants and each one has its own persona, so be sure to check them all out.
Uppsala itself is beautiful at any time of the year. It is fairly small and easy to navigate, while the bright lights of Stockholm are a half hour train journey away. Investigate Tallink cruises to other parts of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Their website offers deals on last minute cruises that cannot be refused ($40 AUD for a trip to Latvia or Estonia and back).
At the beginning I was anxious about not getting the opportunity to make friends. This fear was quickly nullified, as it seems almost impossible to spend a semester in Uppsala without meeting and making new acquaintances. The travelling, country and study are all great parts of the journey, but the most rewarding aspect of my exchange to Sweden was the people I met who will remain close friends for the rest of my life.