The arrival arrangements were adequate. I picked up the keys to my accommodation at the student center upon arrival and was able to meet with the international coordinator within a few days of arrival. I was only able to attend one Global Friends event. Only one other international student attended the event, which was a bit of a disappointment but I was able to interact with plenty of other international students through my courses.

The housing arrangements were very adequate for the price. I applied for housing through the UAC and was provided a studio apartment in Rosglastullsbacken. I really appreciated having a private sauna in the apartment, and the apartment was also very spacious and clean. The surrounding area was nice also, and close to public transportation. The downsides of the apartment include not having an oven in the kitchen, having no internet/WiFi access, and no laundry access. It significantly added to the expense and it was very difficult obtaining a 3G wireless USB stick to use in the apartment. I was able to purchase one after about 4 hours of searching through the city, and even once I had the stick, the Internet was very spotty. It would be nice to offer WiFi in this apartment because I'm sure most international students need to use the Internet on a regular basis. There was also a laundry room next door to me in the building but for some reason I was not provided keys to access it, and it was very expensive and time consuming to commute 30 minutes to a laundromat that charged about 200 SEK per load.

I participated in one Global Friends event, which was fun, but was only attended by one other international student. However, I participated in numerous social activities organized within my medical development in Europe course. I made a lot of Swedish friends, as well as friends from Switzerland, Lithuania, and Italy.

I had always wanted to visit Sweden because it's considered to be both a beautiful and egalitarian country. When I found out that my medical school offered an exchange program at Karolinska, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. The exchange information given by KI and my home university was more than adequate. I was impressed by the variety of course options offered for international students at Karolinska.

I had an incredible experience studying abroad at the Karolinska Institute. I was very impressed by the university in particular, and the country of Sweden generally. The people, culture, and economic system in Sweden were so much to my liking that I am considering a move to Sweden the future, especially if given the opportunity to practice medicine at Karolinska. Everything I learned during my time in Sweden and at Karolinska will be invaluable to me as a continue my medical training.

I did not participate in any Swedish language courses during my exchange. I had hoped to before arriving, but I did not have enough free time outside my courses and exploring the country.

The clinical neurology course I took was excellent, and the professors and residents were great teachers who took the time to explain things to me. Everyone at the hospital was also considerate about speaking English when possible. I really enjoyed learning more about the Swedish healthcare system firsthand, and was given plenty of independence to see patients and discuss treatment plants my supervisors. I didn't learn much from the didactic seminars that were occasionally held during the rotation, however, because these were typically given in Swedish. If more of the seminars could be delivered in English the rotation would be even better, but I also understand that it's asking a lot to do that for only two or three international students.