Advice From My First Study Abroad Experience: Summer in Scandinavia!

Hello! My name is Katelynn Cooper, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a Concentration in Law, Justice, and Social Change. This past summer, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Scandinavia! I was in Copenhagen, Denmark for a month, Stockholm, Sweden for 2 weeks, and Reykjavik, Iceland for a week. I took courses related to the fields of criminal and legal psychology through the DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia program. The first course I took was called The Psychology of Criminal Behavior, and the second course was Guilty or Not Guilty? Psychology in the Courtroom.

There were definitely some challenges along the way… living in unfamiliar cities where I didn’t speak the language made tasks like navigating or shopping for groceries more complex. Thankfully, most everyone spoke English and was happy to help if I needed it. I also went into this program without knowing anyone, so I had to make a new circle of friends and build a support system from scratch. I came out of this program with friendships that I can confidently say will last a lifetime, and feel so grateful for these connections! Academically, I had to adjust to new teaching styles and group work with students from different backgrounds, all with different perspectives and expectations. I dealt with these challenges by staying flexible, asking questions, and having open communication with my professors. Keeping an open and positive mindset allowed me to navigate these challenges successfully and to have an overall wonderful experience while abroad! I tried to treat every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow, and it certainly took me on some incredible adventures!

Therefore, I encourage you to get into the habit of questioning and listening during your time abroad. It helped me challenge my own assumptions and think more critically about the topics covered in my courses. I also made an effort to immerse myself in the local cultures and build connections with the people I met– both fellow students and locals. I was able to fully experience each city I lived in, and conversations with professors, peers, and community members encouraged me to reflect on myself, academics, and the world in new ways. 

Aside from challenging yourself to grow, you will also have the opportunity to explore a new city and everything that comes with it. My advice is to pay attention online to the free events going on around the city! I was thoroughly surprised by what was available to me. In Copenhagen, you could find anything from free food pop-ups and concerts to yoga by the canals. Much of this information was found through TikTok, though a simple Google search should also work. I kept myself busy and created a schedule at the beginning of every week with everything I wanted to accomplish. Creating a shared calendar with my friends also allowed for easy planning and coordination. 

As much as you want to explore the city, make sure to find time to take care of yourself. Being constantly on the go can be quite draining, especially in how lively the cities are. Get comfortable with public transportation! It will be your best friend. Say yes to spontaneous adventures! When I wasn’t in the city, I found opportunities to explore the surrounding nature. This led me on a weekend backpacking trip along the Sörmlandsleden trail in Stockholm County, as well as a day trip to Møns Klint in southern Denmark. These silly adventures were, honestly, some of the best parts of my experience abroad. Lastly, immerse yourself in the culture! If there are any holidays, participate respectfully. Participating in Midsommar was a truly enjoyable experience for me.

My study abroad experience, as a whole, was incredibly valuable and challenged me to grow as both an individual and academic in ways I had never imagined. If there is one thing that you take from this, step outside your comfort zone! It might seem intimidating at first, but get comfortable with the uncomfortable. It will take you to amazing places!