International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)
Meet the Students
Leigh S. was the president of Roots & Shoots when he decided to study abroad. He is a history major who left for Sweden in his first semester as a senior and managed to bring back 18 credits.
Leigh attended Södertörn högskola in Stockholm, Sweden in Fall 2012.
What were your favorite and least favorite
foods?
Leigh: Sweden is not a country really known for its foods, but
it definitely shines in the sweets department. Cinnamon buns,
or "Kanelbulle" are a staple, saffron buns, and princess cake or "Princesstårta"
are great, too. Sweden is known for Glögg also, which is a
delicious mulled wine common during the holidays.
Did you travel a lot?
Leigh: Yes. A lot of the Baltic countries have cruises
between them that last two nights, and the day in between you get to
spend in a city. Through these cruises I went to Helsinki,
Riga, and Tallinn. I spent a long weekend with other exchange
students in Warsaw, and also spent Christmas and New Years in Madrid
with my roommate, who is Spanish.
What did you do during your free time?
Leigh: All the exchange students just would spend time together.
Going to clubs, bars, trips to other countries, or just enjoy meals
together.
What were your favorite and least favorite
things to do while abroad?
Leigh: Just exploring the world with people who are just as lost
and foreign as you are was the best! Anything that involved me
doing something I would probably never have the chance to do again
was my favorite. My least favorite thing was not doing my
favorite things.
Was communicating easy?
Leigh: Yes.
Did you learn a new language, and how
fluent would you consider yourself?
Leigh: I have gotten quite good at Swedish, but I can read better
than I speak. Being in Spain renewed my interest in the language and
I registered for it this semester at WCSU.
What difference did you find with regards to
academics?
Leigh: The academic culture was much more relaxed here.
Students and teachers are on a first name basis, and most classes
were in a roundtable setting. I usually had 4-6 hours of class
a week.
What advice would you give to other students
traveling abroad?
Leigh: Don't ever deny yourself a good time. You are going
to make friends for life, but you aren't all going to be together at
the same time like you were abroad.
Think back to when you first arrived in your
host country. What was something that surprised you and/or
something that was totally different from what you are used to in
the U.S.?
Leigh: Sweden is definitely different than the U.S., but it
never felt "foreign." Everyone spoke some degree of English,
and American culture was very common. Swedes are definitely
more quiet and reserved than Americans, but everyone was certainly
friendly once you began speaking with them.
How would you summarize your overall
experience?
Leigh: Fantastic. Spending time in Europe has begun a new
chapter in my life.
