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Studying abroad during the coronavirus epidemic

Picture of Sara Wettermark
Sara Wettemarks studies abroad are being pursued from home in Sweden. Photo: Private

In mid-December 2019, Sara Wettemark took a flight to Vancouver, Canada, for a semester of Master’s studies in Biomedicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She intended to return home in May but, like so many others, had to alter her plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, her studies abroad are being pursued from quarantine in Sweden.

Even though Sara fully understands it was necessary to interrupt her studies in Vancouver, she deeply regrets it.

– It feels so unfortunate to have to leave Vancouver and Canada. I arrived there in mid- December and came home in mid-March, just over two months earlier than planned. But, the time I spent there was totally fantastic and I would really have liked to stay if it had been possible. Besides the studies there was a considerable focus on outdoor pursuits such as hiking, climbing and skiing in fantastic nature. The people in Canada were welcoming and helpful, and they were all keen to ensure that you felt included, says Sara Wettemark.

Picture of Sara Wettermark
Alongside the studies in Canada, there was a lot of focus on outdoor life for Sara Wettemark. Photo: Private.

The semester abroad continues according to plan

Although the stay in Canada had to be interrupted, the semester abroad continues according to plan and Sara will complete all her courses remotely, but there are considerable differences from online teaching at Lund University.

so exciting and interesting to see how things work at other universities. And, at the same time, I have never appreciated Lund University, and specifically the Faculty of Medicine, as much as I do now,

– As I understand it, teaching in Lund is via Zoom and in real time, but as I and the other international students at UBC have had to go home to our respective countries and are therefore in different time zones, all our teaching is pre-recorded.

There are pros and cons. Sara considers that pre-recorded lectures in themselves can be a good thing and previously during her studies she has utilised recorded lectures even when she has been at the lecture.

– It is good to be able to play the lecture afterwards, pause, make notes, repeat and so on. However, even though it is good, I learn a lot better by being at lectures where I have the chance to ask the lecturer direct questions and hear the questions other students ask. As it is now, we have a one-hour session, once a week, where I have an opportunity to communicate with the lecturer. However, this doesn’t work as well, as there is not as much interaction.

Sara says that the toughest aspect at present is not the remote studies, but the fact that she is in quarantine and feels the loss of structure in daily life. She misses being able to go to the university to study and meet other students. It is more difficult to focus at home.

The Canada trip was a satisfying experience

Sara is very satisfied with her time at UBC. Everyone should go on a semester exchange, meet new people and adapt to new conditions and a new society.

– It is so exciting and interesting to see how things work at other universities. And, at the same time, I have never appreciated Lund University, and specifically the Faculty of Medicine, as much as I do now, as I feel that the studies have more structure and the teaching staff think more about the students. UBC is more concerned with mass production. At Lund University, we learn more about applying theory in practice and we are trained to think outside the box. However, it was incredibly instructive at UBC and in Canada in so many ways and I am very disappointed that I have to complete my time there via a link from Sweden.