Language Used:
The teaching was conducted in English though it was not the preferred language.
Language Barriers
There were certainly language barriers; sometimes I could only rely on translation or be left out altogether. I imagined that it was not strange for me not to know Swedish but to the indigenous population, it seemed unusual that one didn't know the local language.
Some general sessions that I participated in such as the morning post admission case presentations always started off in English Swedish and could only be switched to English by request for my sake. If this request didn't come up then it continued in the local language so I'd be left out.
At one ward, the head doctor insisted she could not conduct the ward round in English so I had to leave. This was quite insensitive - so I felt.
Swedish Culture
I was struck by the fact that I had to find my way around.
This was in great contrast to my culture where by a foreigner/visitor is usually taken around. It felt quite unfriendly to be left on my own in a very new environment where people always thought you had to speak the same language as them. I was however helped a great deal by my host who, together with his family, did their best to make me comfortable. This was helped by the fact that he had been to Africa and understood my situation.
The food was unusual so I had to stick to what I knew.
The atmosphere was a bit cold though it seemed easy for people to just say "hej" and proceed.
At home, I got the impression that parents could not much authority on their children as the state could easily take over their custody
if the child felt uncomfortable.