Exchange report - incoming students
Home university: Makerere University
Study programme: Dentistry
Exchange programme: Linnaeus-Palme
Semester: Spring semester 2017/2018
Name: Cathy Ochwo
Email address: cochwo@gmail.com

Arrival and registration

When we arrived in Stockholm, it was so cold -15°c and the airline has lost our luggage so we did not arrive on a happy note. That aside, the student from the KI pickup service kept time and showed us to our residence. He helped us get the SL cards and map of stockholm which would help us get around easily. 
On the 1st day we met the coordinator who then introduced us to the clinical coordinator,we got our KI cards,access to our changin g rooms,locker room and our pictures taken. 
We were led to the health centre to have the MRSA test done. The nurse was very kind.

Acommendation

We applied for KI housing using the information that the coordinator had given us. We were happy to get self contained rooms. However the heating system was inadequate and the room was quite cold mostly at night,so i had to borrow an extra quilt from a friend.

Leisure time and social activities

We had alot of activities lined up for us, the "erasmus"students. It was organised by the student international club. They organised for us a welcome party. We also went for bowling and took a trip to the museum.
Also we made new friends from our accomodation and attended parties and went out together to restaurants,for boat rides and to watch bands play in cafès.
As an erasmus group we also took part in general activities like bbqs and also attended a music concert, this was quite fun!!
I only regret having missed out on the ice skating before the snow melted.

Pre-departure

When I was told about the exchange program,i was very excited!!!! KI is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, ofcos I could not pass up the opportunity. The international coordinator was very helpful and gave us alot of information, we did not encounter any hardships even in the visa process. We were required to be vaccinated for yellow fever.

Courses during the exchange period

ETL002 : Child and Adolescent Dentistry - Odontology
This was one of my favourite clinics to attend. We were paired up with a swedish student and she was quite nice. We learnt alot from each other. The nurses also ensured that they gave us patients who spoke english and so communication was made easier. The teachers were good and i learnt more about diagnosis of conditions in children and patient management
ETL001 : Comprehensive Care - with subject specific courses
We learnt about management of different problems in the TMj and the diagnostic criteria
2EE075 : Comprehensive Care in Odontology
We attended the adult clinic and gained more knowledge in conservative treatment,diagnosis and prosthodontics. We also had preclinic sessions were we worked on phantom heads,it was a good experience.

Summary

Generally this exchange period was awesome. A good learning experience and also good for interacting and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Language and Culture

Unfortunately i did not take part in any swedish language course during my stay in Sweden.

Studies in general

The swedish study envirnoment is quite "fancy" unlike my home university.Each speciality has its own dental chairs,equipment.materials and staff which is so impressive. I particuarly like the fact that the teachers are so nice and students easily interact with them.
The patients were also very nice and quite patient.
The only problem i found was that some teachers during reflection would insist on speaking Swedish despite our obvious presence. Aside from that we learnt alot including more about prosthodontics and conservative dentistry.