Hanwan's Exchange to Uppsala University | Sweden
My name is Hanwen Chan and I completed a semester long exchange in Uppsala University, Sweden in 2014. I completed part of my law degree at Uppsala by undertaking law specified electives.
Uppsala University is the oldest (and best) university in Sweden and Scandinavia. It has produced 8 Nobel Prize laureates including Carl Linnaeus and Alfred Nobel himself. Uppsala is the fourth biggest city in Sweden and boasts an extremely lively and unique student presence. Case in point - at the university housing complex in which I resided (Flogsta), it is a tradition for all inhabitants to scream out of their windows or balconies at 10pm every single night. This is affectionately known as the Flgosta Roar I was informed of this prior to arriving, but nothing can really prepare you for the first time you hear 400 students screaming at the top of their lungs. MTV recently even did a piece about this phenomenon (http://www.mtv.com/news/1999637/sweden-flogsta-scream).
The University itself is built around student life as you are effectively forced to join a Student Nation - student societies which provide a space for students to meet, socialise and enjoy life outside of the classroom. Most nations have a café, pub and restaurant, and popular nation activities include club nights, formal dinners, balls and musical events.
Classes in Sweden are relatively similar to Australia (lectures and tutorials), however, the tutorials are more interactive and general discussion is often encouraged. Tutorials are less structured and class sizes are considerably smaller (15-20 students) in order to facilitate productive discussion.
Prior to doing my exchange, I heard the cliches about how an exchange program would change your life etc etc. However, looking back at my exchange program at Uppsala, I can safely say it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I have made some lifelong friends from all over the world and from all walks of life. I have gained invaluable insights into different cultures and I now appreciate all the differences, and yet, all the similarities the people from around the world have to offer.
My most memorable experience of my time in Sweden was taking a road trip up north to the Arctic Circle with the friends I made. We were extremely lucky to see Northern Lights there and it was hands down the most spectacular event I have ever witnessed. Pictures genuinely do not do the lights justice as the lights literally flicker and dance in front of your own eyes.
There is an old saying that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer, and after completing my exchange, I could not agree more.
- Hanwan studied abroad at Uppsala University in Sweden
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