The first day was very exhausting and tiring. Coming from Australia it is 24hours worth of flying plus stop over times when changing flights. This as well as different time zones was very exhausting and tiring. When we arrived we managed to just make it to our accommodation to drop our bags off and then had to leave again to go to the university for orientation. By the time we finished orientation I just went back to my accommodation to sleep as I was so exhausted. It was hard as well having to start at 7am in the hospital the next day as well.
I didn't participate in any social activities organised by the university. There were emails sent out about up coming events however they did not inform you there are limited positions and I missed out on the ones I wanted to do. I made friends with other exchange students in my residential building.
University exchange is an incredible and once in a lifetime experience. I am very passionate about nursing and having the opportunity to learn about nursing and the healthcare system as well as the culture in another country I could not have let that opportunity pass. Karolinska Institute and Sweden has one of the best teaching and healthcare in the world, I was privileged to be apart of the culture and learn so much about it. My home university in Australia should promote this program more to the students and make it easier to find information about exchange programs. The information provided by the exchange university was helpful and explained what you need to do.
My exchange program was in the hospitals doing clinical placement for nursing. The staff on the wards were so lovely, friendly and helpful. They took the time to teach you and communicate with you. It was interesting to see how some practices are performed differently yet have the same principle/outcome.