Sweden: Växjö or Kalmar - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

This experience going abroad completely changed my life. I was very hesitant going to this place, because it was more of a whim so when I got there, it instantly felt like home, and I couldn’t imagine not going there and the people I met along the way are phenomenal, and the professors I had were so understanding, considerate kind, and super laid-back. If any kids wanted to study environmental science, I would recommend going to the school because the school in south is so clean and all of the classes are freaking amazing.

The title says it all: the people are relaxed, the weather is chilly, the classes are simple, and even the larger towns move at a calm pace. I went to Vaxjo not knowing a single person and was able to make many friends from all around the world. My BIGGEST recommendation for new students is to join the schools "buddy' program, where they pair you with a local Swedish student who will show you the town and teach you about the campus. The town is safe and peaceful, but you can still find fairly active nightlife at the student bars on campus during the weekends.

I loved my time in Vaxjo. The small town really felt like home. The Swedes were so welcoming and nice and the University was lovely! It was not the classic study abroad experience but I still loved it. Even though the housing was terrible, the community made up for it and then some! I really enjoyed getting to experience Swedish culture and so many others as well. Swedish culture is very relaxed and it was so peaceful where we lived. We would travel on weekends and return to the peaceful town and relax. The classes were very enjoyable and not overbearing. The social life was great, especially if you make friends with some local Swedes, they are so welcoming to international students (especially since Linneaus is an international university)

I went to Vaxjo and had an absolutely wonderful time. The education was quite different then what I am used to in the US so I had a lot more free time which was great because I was able to travel all the time! What's the point of going to Europe if you're buried in a textbook?!? The people are amazing, Vaxjo has hundreds and hundreds of international students from all over the world so you get to me so many cool people and make friends and go traveling together. Vaxjo can be super cold/rainy/snowy but the Swedes don't give a **** what the weather is like they're gonna do what they want no matter the weather and you should to. There's no way you cant have a great time if you put yourself out there and just be friendle. Absolutely wonderful time. Going abroad should be a graduation requirement!

Some of the downfalls:
-If you're expecting to live in a big city, don't go on this program. It can be great if you're prepared for a smaller town experience, but if you're expecting to live in a place like Stockholm, don't come here.
-USAC doesn't have a representative on campus, so if you want program help from them it is all over e-mail and not very convenient or useful.
-Linnaeus University tends to put all its international students together when assigning housing, so if you want to live with Swedes, that can be a pitfall. But there are plenty of chances to meet other people, and the diversity of the cultures you're placed with is still great.

Some of the amazing stuff:
-I've never felt safer than when I lived in Vaxjo.
-The smaller town helps you get more involved in the daily life in Sweden and connects you to the norms of Swedish life.
-Their international student program more than makes up for the lack of a USAC presence. They organize some amazing trips, parties, and experiences and make the whole thing very fun.
-If you're willing to put the effort in, Vaxjo has everything you could possibly want to have in a overseas home. And if it doesn't have it, public transit in Sweden is so easy that you can go other places to find it.
-Swedish Emigrant Institute, if you're going to Sweden because your family is Swedish and you want to get to know your roots, going to Vaxjo is a great choice! The Swedish Emigrant Institute is super helpful and interesting and a great resource.
-Housing is pretty great, a lot of the necessities are already there left by previous students (though I would definitely recommend living in Vallgatan, living on campus is great but it can definitely be a it of a bubble and people tend not to leave.)
-SO MUCH MORE.