Exchange Report

Exchange report - incoming students

Home university:

Panepistimio Kritis

Study programme:

Medicine

Exchange programme:

Erasmus

Semester:

Spring semester 2012/2013

Name:	Maria Bolaki
Email address:	maria_mpolaki@yahoo.gr

Arrival and registration

Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to attend the introductory day because I arrived later than the date it was held. Other students told me that it was really great. I am sad that I missed it. The contact with the student health centre worked well. I didn't have any problem.

Acommendation

I applied for housing through UAC and I was really pleased by the immediate and positive reply. Although the cost was a bit high for me I found that the facilities offered were of high quality and I didn't have any complaints.

Leisure time and social activities

I participated in some social activities but too many because my schedule was very strict and I din't have too much free time. However my impression was very good and I also met Swedish students as well.

Pre-departure

I chose to go on exchange in order to meet new people with different culture and way of thinking and also to learn about a different health care system. KI is one of the best universities in Europe with high quality study programmes and research as well. The information given before my arrival were all precise and detailed. I was not required to be vaccinated or bring any specific certificate.

Courses during the exchange period

ELAX15 : Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 1

I enjoyed this course because I had the chance to take part in some clinical procedures e.g tracheostomy with my supervisor and that was very good for me. In addition this specialty has a broad spectrum of diseases that I had the chance to meet patients with many of them something that offered experience to me. I also had the chance to make a power point presentation as examination the last day of my rotation.

ELA004 : Paediatrics 1

This course was great too. It was my first time to communicate with children as a doctor and I really had a nice experience. The rotation included both practical and theoretical lessons and this combination was the best. The lessons were of a high quality and the supervisor was very willing to teach us.

ELA003 : Ophtalmology 1

In this course I had the chance to visit a hospital that is specialized absolutely in ophthalmology and this was very interesting. Sometimes however the level of knowledge offered was extremely high for students and it was difficult to attend. In spite of that I had the opportunity to attend lessons and surgical operations that are not so famous in my country yet. I think that spending more time in the emergency department could be of better value for students who don't want to be ophthalmologists..

Summary

My overall impressions were very good and I would certainly recommend KI to exchange students because it combines both studies and soil life. I wish I spent more time in social activities.

Language and Culture

No I didn't have the chance

Studies in general

In general my impressions of the Swedish study environment were excellent. The relationship with my supervisors was quite friendly and I really learnt a lot from them. It was also easy to communicate with the patients as most of them could speak English. This helped me a lot with learning. In my home university we learn a lo of theory but we don't apply it into practice and that's a big difference in comparison to KI. What I think that could be improved is the learning of more skills during clinical education.