Prior to departure I was required to register as a KI exchange student online. A student ID was given and I was sent paperwork to accept the offered exchange position. KI offers a social student exchange club. They host meet and greets, activities (such as ice skating) to get people involved in student life and the Swedish culture. They were in contact offering the opportunity for a KI member to meet and assist me to my accommodation upon arrival in Sweden. 

I requested accommodation online for the duration of my stay in Stockholm through Karolinska Institute Housing (UAC) approximately 3-2 months prior to arrival. I was participating in the exchange with three other students from my University. We had the choice of shared accommodation (apartment) or individual accommodation with shared facilities. There was an apartment available in beautiful Sodermalm. We accepted this option. The accommodation was behind  Sodersjukhuset  (Jagargatan) and close to public transport, walking distance to supermarkets, shops, restaurants & Gamla Stan!

Prior to arrival we were given 2 pin codes. One to access the building and another to collect the apartment key from a pick up/drop off box. Individual mail boxes were supplied for each accommodation.

The accommodation through UAC was very affordable. The apartment we rented contained a kitchen (with cooking items, utensils) a bathroom, living area (with a sofa bed, table TV) and a compartment with a king single bed & wardrobe. We purchased our own towels and linen. The apartment was very cosy, comfortable and by chance had a beautiful view. 

Exchange students have supportive services from KI nursing faculty, the Student Health Services Unit, preceptors whilst on placement and the KI student exchange club.  

I chose to go one exchange because I'm extremely interested in learning about other cultures and countries health care models. I enjoy learning about the functionality and practices of other countries health care systems in comparison to the country I come from. I had read that Sweden and some of its hospitals are advanced in various medical research and practices. I wanted to gain an understanding and experience the nursing practices, protocols and skills utilised within the Swedish health care setting.

The exchange information and study abroad information gave a good understand of what to expect upon arrival in Sweden. In addition to information about KI and daily life in Sweden, I was advised I'd need to have an MRSA screening on campus before commencing placement. 

The university I attend in Australia has a policy that students must be vaccinated, have a valid Working With Childrens & Police Check prior to working in hospitals. I took this information with me just incase I was asked for it. 

In conclusion my exchange was a fantastic and exciting experience. I would have loved if the program went for a longer duration! It would have been great if the program was also offered over the Swedish summer in addition to the winter period. If given the opportunity, I would definitely do it again!  

I speak basic conversational Swedish and didn’t find the language to be a great barrier. I tried to speak Swedish where possible. The majority of Swedish people speak English. Preceptors, staff and patients would explain things in English if I didn’t understand. I learnt some more of the language from my preceptors speaking Swedish to me. 

The exchange program I participated in was clinical practice. We did not undertake learning on campus at KI, although we had the option to borrow research materials. I undertook a Nursing Practice Placement at Sodersjukhuset. The duration of my placement was 6 weeks. Three weeks in the Emergency Department and 3 weeks on the Neurological/ Stroke ward.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement on both of the wards/unit I worked on. My preceptors encouraged learning and the opportunity to integrate nursing knowledge and clinical skills into practice. I found it extremely interesting the similarities and differences between practice, operation, facilities and functionality of the units within the hospital compared to the country i'm from. From my observation, KI (and the hospital I undertook placement at) appears to encourage a holistic approach to healthcare where all multidisciplinary teams are encouraged to learn, work, communicate with one another to obtain the best patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care. 

Half way through my exchange, a representative meet me at my exchange hospital to discuss how I was going, if I had any questions about my placement.