Practicals decisive in choice of exchange studies

Jessica Threlfall

It was the outdoors, the open air and the Swedish landscape that made Jessica Threlfall from Aston University choose Sweden for her exchange studies.

“I love downhill skiing. I’d love to go to Lapland, see the northern lights and go skiing,” says Jessica Threlfall.

She chose Sweden for the outdoors and Örebro University was top of the list because the course she would take included a lot of practical components. She will be able to try both clinical and research laboratory practicals. Back in England, she is studying to be a biomedical scientist.

“I am hoping that the practical experience will give me greater opportunities in my future career as a biomedical scientist,” she says.

The semester has just started. Jessica Threlfall and other exchange students are mixing classes with the activities of the orientation programme. One visit that was much appreciated was the one to the Town Hall, where students were welcomed by Murad Artin, member of the Municipal Executive Committee, and Student Coordinator Maria Almquist.

“Our exchange students are important, they help us to bring Örebro out onto the international arena” says Murad Artin.

With the visit to the Town Hall, the exchange students were officially welcomed to Örebro. Murad Artin and Maria Almquist provided them with useful information on Sweden, Örebro and Swedish traditions. A definite must, according to Maria Almquist, is to go and see the traditional Lucia procession at the University.

“It was an interesting visit. In addition to Lapland, I would like to have time to visit Stockholm, Wadköping and the water tower Svampen here in Örebro. They are on my to-do list for my time in Sweden,” says Jessica Threlfall.

The competition “Sweden on Campus” is a team event in which the exchange students get to compete in their knowledge of Sweden and the funniest group picture.

During “Örebrodagen”, students descend on the town centre to compete in seven events. One of the events this year was “hook an animal”, where students had to work together to catch as many animals as possible in seven minutes.

Text: Anna Asplund
Photo: Anna Asplund and Johan Ahlberg
Translation: Charlotta Hambre-Knight