Paul | France

Paul Aubrecht is a UW PhD student who completed an Exchange program in France during the Summer of 2012. As a law student emphasizing in Human Rights, Paul studied at Regent University’s Strasbourg Campus. He says he would suggest this program to, “any law student because the teachers were excellent, the facilities first class, and the off campus opportunities unique and helpful.” However, he also added that, “Regent is a Christian University so I would not recommend this program for anyone who is unwilling to accept that Christian Values and Prayer.”

During his time in France, Paul lived, “in a studio apartment with a private bathroom at the Foyer Notre Dame near the Cathedral in the Center of Strasbourg.” He enjoyed these living arrangements and recommends them to other UW students.

Along with studio apartments, Paul suggests doing as much reading and coursework as possible in advance. According to Paul, “This allows for more time to enjoy the Country.” For students traveling to France, Paul says: “I would make sure to take the time to go see Paris. The main points of interest for me (in Paris) were the Eiffel Tower, the Arch De Triumph, and the Louvre Museum.”

Paul says that his greatest challenge was packing! He reflects, “There were a lot of things I packed that I did not use. It makes the trip much easier if you only take the things you absolutely need. I also found myself caught in the rain several times. I'm glad I packed a rain suit, so it was not a problem for me.” He also recommends learning at least some of the language to, “help you get around.”

If you’re planning to travel to France, or participate in an Exchange, please feel free to contact Paul at paubrech@uwyo.edu. 

Dennis Alm | Sweden

Dennis is a UW Senior who travelled to Sweden during the spring of 2011. He attended Linnaeus University as an exchange student. Linnaeus is located in Kalmar, Sweden along the Baltic Sea.  Dennis highly recommends Linnaeus University to other UW students. Linnaeus’ Exchange Student Office helped him coordinate living accommodations, social activities, and English courses. Dennis chose to live in off-campus ‘Kalmarhem at Stagneliusgatan’ apartments; he really enjoyed apartment-living in Sweden.

While attending Linnaeus, Dennis participated in the Erasmus Student Network Group, a network of 50 exchange students. As a member of the group, he attended city tours, dinners, parties, and even a snowboarding trip. Dennis’ favorite trip with the group was the ESN Sea Battle, a 2 night student cruise between Stockholm, Sweden and Tallinn, Estonia with around 2,000 exchange students from all over the Baltic Region.

Advice From Dennis

Dennis’ advice to UW students looking to travel abroad is to "be proactive before you go.” By this he means learning some of the language (before you arrive) in order to assist you with everyday tasks like grocery shopping and buying train tickets.  He also recommends completing your Visa paperwork as soon as possible.  According to Dennis, “the Swedish Consulate requires you to send your passport to them before you go… and this process may take a while.”

Dennis also suggests that you keep all important information, like your foreign cell phone number and address, in your backpack while travelling. Dennis kept this information in his checked luggage and then ran into trouble when his bags were lost!

Even with this setback, Dennis greatly enjoyed his study abroad experience. He says, “take advantage of what the study abroad program has to offer while you can. Enjoy being a student while the opportunities are endless .”

Because of his semester in Sweden, Dennis now has friends all over the world!

If you’re thinking of travelling to Sweden, you can contact Dennis at dalm@uwyo.edu