Field of study in Wageningen: Animal Sciences
Study period exchange: 16/01/2023 – 04/06/2023
Country (exchange): Sweden
City (exchange): Uppsala
University (exchange): Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Faculty (exchange): Animal Sciences / Agricultural Sciences
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I was very excited to go on exchange because of exploring new countries, cultures and nature. In addition, I was curious about the content and way of education at another university. And of course, studying at another university allows you to meet a lot of people from diverse backgrounds and establish friendships. Since everyone starts all over in a place without any jobs, friends or a home, very close friendships quickly develop and everyone has a lot of spare time to meet, travel and explore all new things together.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
I have chosen Sweden for its beautiful landscapes, progressive society, and the ‘real winter’ we do not know in the Netherlands (so much snow!!!!). Sweden’s natural beauty, including its forests, lakes, and the Northern Lights… it’s amazing! Besides, the SLU is an excellent and university. Classes are small and the academic level is high. The communication with fellow students and professors is informal (which is very nice) and the atmosphere is very peaceful. The courses SLU offers did really match my field of interest and the way of education and the level were both very good.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
I travelled to Sweden by plane and back to the Netherlands by car. I heard from fellow students that it’s well accessible by train and a friend of mine even travelled by bike! By bike maybe is a bit extreme, but I think Uppsala (South and middle Sweden in general) is very easily accessible by any way of transport.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
The work load was lower than in Wageningen, study forms are in general very interactive with a lot of space for discussions and input from students. For one course, we were able to share our fields of interest and the course leader scheduled time and found lecturers for lectures in our field of interest in the last weeks. The academic level was high for 2 of the 3 courses. The examination was very diverse, multiple choice tests, practical exams, papers and final exams.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
Sport facilities are not as luxurious as in Wageningen. There is a gym at campus, but its very expensive, there are a few sport associations in Uppsala, but not especially for students and also expensive. I have been running and hiking a lot, since the nature is extremely beautiful. There is catering available, also expensive, and the housing offered laundry facilities.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
I lived in Flogsta, a student housing. It’s a bit old and sketchy, but I have had a very nice time there, because almost al the exchange people lived here and you could meet by only entering the elevation. Another option was living on campus or at Rackabergatan, newer buildings.
What is the culture of the country like?
Very nice culture, everyone is very friendly and helpful. The Swedish culture is quite peaceful, yet it is a bit harder to make friends with Swedish people compared to other internationals since they are a bit ‘kat uit de boom kijkerig’.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
When I just arrived, it was all a bit more expensive in Sweden than in the Netherlands, now I’m back (after big inflation), the Netherlands is slightly more expensive.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Public transport is structured more or less the same as in the Netherlands, as are the costs. I did not use a lot of public transport in Uppsala, since university was perfectly accessible by bike (even biking through all snow was fun). It is possible to travel by bus though, under almost all circumstances public transport works (even in the middle or after a snowstorm). I have travelled a lot by train to visit nature reserves.
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Uppsala is nice to discover, Stockholm is nearby, nature is everywhere!
What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?
If the lakes are frozen you can ice skate (second hand shops sell cheap ice skates and you can borrow them for free at fritidsbanken), once they are liquid again you can borrow canoes for only 10 euros a day near university and if you are die hard, you can swim with the best view ever!
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
You can subscribe to a nation (more or less a student association) and go out. You have to be a member to at least one nation to enter any nation and there is every night a party somewhere. Yet, it starts and ends very early (you have to cue at 8 pm and most of them close at latest 2 am but some even at 12). Nations also offer cheap meals, nice activities and fika (you never have enough fika). Gasques are also a thing, those are chique dinners with a whole programme and dresscode.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
The biggest challenge was to manage all the documentation before going on exchange, afterwards the fun starts! Another challenge was lacking a creditcard, it is quite useful to have one if you want to order something online or pay friends who do not have a bank account in euros.
What was your best memory abroad?
The whole exchange was one big best memory!! Try to do as much as fun things you can, you only have half a year!