Exchange report - Student at KI
Home university: University of Toronto
Study programme: Biomedicine (Master's)
Exchange programme: INK
Semester: Spring semester 2017/2018
Name: Larsen Vornholz
Email address: la.vo@gmx.ch

Pre-departure

Karolinska Institutet has an excellent network of international collaborators. Providing the opportunity to go on exchange, allowed me to broaden my personal horizon and to get an international experience on how people work in science across the globe and how research is performed in different labs. Since the professor of interest for my master thesis was affiliated with the University of Toronto (UofT), I aspired to perform my master thesis at UofT.


Unfortunately, the paperwork that needs to be done for the exchange at UofT is rather extensive and requires the student to pro-actively communicate with KI and UofT. Both, KI and UofT exchange office tried to help as much as they could when I had questions. After I got nominated as exchange student from KI, I also had to apply to the UofT. After being accepted, I was required to submit an IVGS (international visiting graduate student study abroad agreement) form to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) at UofT. The IVGS form is needed to receive the final “admission letter” from UofT. Since there are several representatives from UofT and KI that have to sign the IVGS form, it took about 3 months to have the form finalized with all signatures. Once the IVGS from is submitted the “admission letter” was issued quite quickly and the journey could begin.

Arrival and registration

Since I was performing my master thesis I did not have any introductory courses, neither did I attend courses. Thus, I went straight into the lab which was located at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

Upon arrival, there were nevertheless some administrative things to do, for UofT on the one hand and for my laboratory at PMH on the other hand.


For UofT, I first had to pass by the SGS office to confirm the registration and activate my student account. With this activation I was then able to get my student email from UofT and my student ID. Afterwards, I also passed by another office to activate the mandatory health insurance (UHIP) which was paid on site (50 CAD/month).

For the lab, I had to attend the standard lab safety training and underwent some medical tests (TB, small pox, HepB).

After approval, I could start performing research.

Economy

As exchange student, I received a travel grant for exchange students (8000sek) from KI.

Besides the flight, you need to pay the UHIP fee (50 CAD/month) and the travel visa to enter Canada. All other student fees should be waived by UofT due to the exchange agreement between UofT and KI.

The rental costs in Toronto are relatively high (800-1200CAD/month). Having a bike spares paying for public transport (150 CAD/moth) and increases mobility in the city. All other life expenses depend heavily on the life style.

Acommendation

I shared a 2-bedroom apartment with another guy which I found via the website www.kijiji.ca. The apartment was downtown, ca 20min away from my workplace. Unfortunately, there is some fraud and a chance for being scammed around Toronto - be aware of it. I recommend getting some help from someone in Toronto (e.g. another lab member), especially since you are normally in Stockholm when you look for apartments. There are some student accommodations provided by the University of Toronto, but the queuing days are long and the chance of getting something rather low (since we as exchange students are only there for 5 months).

Studies in general

Since I was performing my master thesis, I did not attend any courses and could completely focus on my lab work. Regularly, there were scientific seminars to inform about a variety of scientific topics (done in a similar manner as at KI). Furthermore, lab internal meetings, seminars, journal clubs and presentations provided a fruitful atmosphere for scientific growth.

Courses during the exchange period

Courses corresponding to semester 4 at KI

Since I was performing my master thesis, I did not attend any courses and could completely focus on my lab work.

Language and Culture

Language in the lab and the Toronto environment is English. Thus, it was not much of a change compared to the Global Master’s Program at KI. French is possible for some of the Canadians in Toronto.
Big city live is indeed different to the small city Stockholm.

Leisure time and social activities

Since I was not enrolled in any courses, I did not really have much contact with other students. I spent most of the time with people of the lab or with friends visiting me. The lab had an amazing team spirit and an extremely friendly atmosphere which encouraged spending time together also in the free time. For example, we played ice hockey, curling, basketball, went for dinner and beers, watched ice hockey and baseball games, and much else.
The time I was not working in the lab, I spent the time doing sports and exploring the city. The University of Toronto offers a broad range of sport activities which enables a nice balance to the lab work. Furthermore, I had the chance to watch a hockey game from the maple leafs, I enjoyed a breathtaking dinner on the CN tower and visited the Niagara Falls during a sunny day.

Summary

The exchange at the UofT was an intense but very rewarding experience. Besides gaining valuable scientific skills, I established new friendships and discovered a part of the world that was unknown to me personally. I strongly recommend seizing this excellent opportunity of going on exchange.