ARRIVAL

On arrival, I was received by one of the Global friends student at the airport. It was a good arrangement because it made it easy for me to get ready for the semester.

Was helped with securing my scholarship, opening a bank account and more information was received on the introduction day with all the other students. It was a good ocassion because I got to learn about the swedish culture and had less cultural shock when i got into the communities.

Had many social events organised by KI especially the Global friends that always sent e-mails about coming events. Tours around the city, get together parties including the party at City Hall, the museum and the presentation about different universities.

I made many Swedish friends through the events that we shared and even from other countries. Events should continue because they make students feel home away from home.

Am Ingvar from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. At the University, a notice was put asking for applications to go for the exchange program and I did because I had heard alot about KI from my friends that had already been there before. So also wanted to have the experince that they always shared with me.

When applying, everything was fine online because all the questions that I asked the coordinator, had te answers sent to me and that made my application so easy.

I understood every information I received from KI because it is well laid down online and all the programs well set.

The welcome package was good and I knew all that I was to do before I arrived at KI and more was given on the introduction day.

Had no problems with housing arrangements, I personally had family that I stayed with but all my other colleagues had to tell me that housing arrangements were fine especially the system of entrance into the hostels and departure. They are also so secure.

Support service was good and every one was willing to help me when ever I needed some help especially information about stockholm and the web for research.

Generally the exchange period was good for me except for the weather which is natural and nothing can be done about it.

I wish the program is extended to more and more students so that a lot is learnt if we are to improve the care we give to our patients. There should be arrangements to meet the students of KI to meet with exchange students at KI for the same program so as to learn more about the curriculum and how they are assessed.

Thank you so much for every thing that was done to make my stay a success. Another invitation is welcome.

I attended the swedish for beginners for 5 weeks but the problem was that it was always late in the evening when I was tired from the ward and the teacher was not good at english and so we sometimes didn't know what to do or failed in the translation. The language was also not teaching what to use in the hospital and the next course was to be paid for and was charged highly so I didn't attend. Was impressed that I learnt some language to use.

All my programs/courses that i had enrolled for at KI were clinical except for the literature review which I had contact with a supervisor/teacher and she was good and directed me very well.

The study environment is so condusive and good space in the library and with enough resourse for private reading. The teachers on the wards are fine but the problem is some didn't want to speak English and so sometimes got limited on who to teach me but all went well. The student-patient relationship was good for me especially those that i could communicate with and gives alot to llearn especially when you put the theory into practice.

There is a good relationship between the theory and practice in that the ideal care is given as we read it in theory and i attribute this to the resources compared to my country. The practice is ideal to say.

Both KI and my University use clinical education intergrated with in the  student teaching. The main difference is the resources that KI has more and better resources than my University,

KI has bigger hospitals but my home University has one but big hospital with all departments in it, its bigger than any of KIs and with alot many more patients.

There is need to have KI teachers on the wards sometimes to supplement on the staff of the hospital and also do direct or observation assessment of the students.