Med School in Sweden?

[kimmcauliffe]

With my infatuation with Sweden's curling team 😍 as well hockey(just kidding... it's a perk though), I was wondering if anyone could tell me about school in Sweden (for undergrad as well as medical school).

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[brightblueeyes]

With my infatuation with Sweden's curling team 😍 as well hockey(just kidding... it's a perk though), I was wondering if anyone could tell me about school in Sweden (for undergrad as well as medical school).

The few French students I've heard about who've done Erasmus exchanges in Sweden really liked their med schools (and their students 🙂). I get the feeling that there's a more positive atmosphere than in French and German schools.

If you're thinking of applying to a Swedish med school, note that all courses are in Swedish and you'd have to pass a Swedish proficiency test. Also, if you don't have EU citizenship, I think you'd have to pay significantly higher tuition. I have no idea whether this would affect your admissions prospects, though.

Then again, if you're thinking of doing undergrad studies in Sweden, that could take care of any language shortcomings you might have. And if you meet a special somone while you're there, that could end up giving you local status (if you don't have it already).

Good luck.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

Hey Brightblueeyes!

Thanks for the information!

I was honestly thinking of doing undergrad there, and most likely returning to complete med school here in the US. I'm looking at summer study as well, as my primary objective is to just gain experience and expand my borders! It's been really oppressive here in the US lately 😡
I'll look into it!

 

[brightblueeyes]

Hey Brightblueeyes!

Thanks for the information!

I was honestly thinking of doing undergrad there, and most likely returning to complete med school here in the US. I'm looking at summer study as well, as my primary objective is to just gain experience and expand my borders! It's been really oppressive here in the US lately 😡
I'll look into it!

You might want to check with some American med schools prior to doing this. I think I remember reading on Harvard's website that they only consider candidates who have done at least two years at a North American university. And I think they attach more weight to applicants' North American grades. I suspect most American med schools would want you to do your required "pre-med" courses at an American or Canadian school.

I think it's unfair but many countries have different grading standards so this probably makes things a lot less complicated.

 

[helena]

I'm a med student in Sweden and there is no required undergrad for Med school which is 5.5 years long. And no tuition even for foreign students, however there's an ongoing discussion about charging international students, but it don't think that will happen in the near future.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

I'm a med student in Sweden and there is no required undergrad for Med school which is 5.5 years long. And no tuition even for foreign students, however there's an ongoing discussion about charging international students, but it don't think that will happen in the near future.

Hej!

I think it's incredible that higher education is free in Sweden... I think it's absolutely wonderful, actually, especially considering how much it is here in the US. While I contemplate this though, I will be planning a trip to Sweden later this year and then going from there.

Thanks for your help!

Hedjå! (I'm trying to learn Swedish... 😳 )

 

[Miklos]

I think it's incredible that higher education is free in Sweden... I think it's absolutely wonderful, actually, especially considering how much it is here in the US.

Just FYI: The higher education is not 'free'. It is financed by the local taxpayer. Sweden's marginal tax rates are significantly higher than in the U.S. One of the effects of the taxpayer subsidy for a limited number of medical students (as I'm sure helena can confirm), is that competition for entry to medical school is intense.

 

[pingu1]

I suppose all education is free in all northern countries, at least Sweden and Finland where I live. I study veterinary medicine in Finland and I pay about 60€ a year which is the membership fee for the university and you are not able to study if you aren't a member of the university. I think it's great that studying is free and I don't understand how anyone can be able to pay 12 000 € for just one year in some other countries. But then again I have to pay taxes about 50% of my income when I graduate. I'd guess it's nearly the same in Sweden. Finland doesn't have tuition fee for international students either but you have to speak Finnish of course.

Sorry a bit off topic. 😉

 

[kimmcauliffe]

I suppose all education is free in all northern countries, at least Sweden and Finland where I live. I study veterinary medicine in Finland and I pay about 60€ a year which is the membership fee for the university and you are not able to study if you aren't a member of the university. I think it's great that studying is free and I don't understand how anyone can be able to pay 12 000 € for just one year in some other countries. But then again I have to pay taxes about 50% of my income when I graduate. I'd guess it's nearly the same in Sweden. Finland doesn't have tuition fee for international students either but you have to speak Finnish of course.

Sorry a bit off topic. 😉

No worries! Thank you to both of you for the clarification.

I was wondering how that worked... here in the US, we have to pay an arm and a leg for graduate school, and especially living here in California I'm paying heavy taxes. I didn't realize that upon graduation, you have to give up so much of your income!

 

[pingu1]

Also what Miklos said is very true, it may be difficult to get into a med school. I think it's easier in Sweden than in Finland cause there are lots of Finns studying in Sweden, but I don't know what the percentages are. In Finland about 10% can get to the vet school after the entrance exam (there's only one vet school, 52 can get in, in recent years it's been over 500 who tries) and to Helsinki's med school it's about the same, or maybe 11-12%. To some smaller cities, like Kuopio, it's easier to get, maybe 15%, but it's still not much. But then again once you're in, you can't get kicked out. So I guess there are good and bad sides in everything.

Karolinska Institut in Sweden is very appreciated and I've heard good things about it and Swedish as a language isn't too hard to learn for a person who speaks English. Good luck. 🙂

 

[helena]

You of course need to know Swedish to study in Sweden, but learning a language is doable in a year I suppose. I don't know the rules regarding admission of international students with foreign high school diplomas, I think every school (ony six) probably admits 1-2 students/year that way, at least we have a guy from Iraq in my class. And it's very competitive for Swedish students, a lot of Swedes go abroad to study bc of that. You can take "högskoleprovet"- a Swedish SAT as an alternative way to get into med school but that would be very hard if you're not fluent in Swedish. But there are foreign students in med school here, so it's not impossible.
Karolinska in Stockholm is probably the most well-known school but probably not more competitive than the others, however some people can't imagine not living in Stockholm (whilst others might want to live in a student-friendly city).
And the taxes are very high! !

 

[kimmcauliffe]

Hi Helena,

That's what I've heard... the taxes are really high... so it wouldn't be much of an improvement (money wise) over my current situation (California). I'm planning on visiting in October so we'll see how that goes first, and then perhaps finish my undergrad there? Not sure. But I hope whoever I run into will be as kind and helpful as you have been! 🙂

Hur säger man på svenska? 😛

Kim (I'm learning. It's not as scary as I thought it would be)

 

[helena]

You should write me if you do come!
I hope that you know that it's COLD in Sweden during the winter, not like California weather 🙂
And you probably can't use your undergrad here in the US as someone said (to apply for medical school that is for anything else it would be useful).
Where do you live in Caliornia? I like Cali a lot!

Vi kanske ses! Hejdå!

 

[marcus_aurelius]

Swedish women are hot 😍

 

[OzDDS]

I suppose all education is free in all northern countries, at least Sweden and Finland where I live. I study veterinary medicine in Finland and I pay about 60€ a year which is the membership fee for the university and you are not able to study if you aren't a member of the university. I think it's great that studying is free and I don't understand how anyone can be able to pay 12 000 € for just one year in some other countries. But then again I have to pay taxes about 50% of my income when I graduate. I'd guess it's nearly the same in Sweden. Finland doesn't have tuition fee for international students either but you have to speak Finnish of course.

Sorry a bit off topic. 😉

Is Postgraduate medicine expensive in Sweden? Postgrad dentistry sure seems to be..

http://intranet.karolinskaeducation...e.asp?CourseTermPublicInfoId=271&language=eng

At Karolinska, if you want to say study Endodontics or Orthodontics.. you will have to pay 400 000 to 430 000 SEK per year for 3 years.. This comes to approx. 50-55K USD or 42-45K Euros per year.. so a Grand Total of: $165,000.00 USD or 135,000.00 Euros to do a complete postgraduate program in Endodontics. 😱

Even Swedish citizens have to pay 350,000 SEK per year!!!

 

[helena]

I don't know of that Endodontics program but I've never heard about anyone paying for post-graduate education in Sweden. The only schools I've heard people pay for are some private international business school. Actually you get a salary while doing a post-graduate education (isn't it the same in the US?)

 

[OzDDS]

I don't know of that Endodontics program but I've never heard about anyone paying for post-graduate education in Sweden. The only schools I've heard people pay for are some private international business school. Actually you get a salary while doing a post-graduate education (isn't it the same in the US?)

Maybe its only dentistry then.. even in the US.. if your doing a MDSc included speciality program, then yes you have to pay tuition.

But yes.. it looks like Even in Sweden, even for their own citizens... they have to pay for post-grad dental education.. quite a bit actually.

 

[Max_Berry]

Howdy,

Having moved from San Diego to Gothenburg several years ago, I can tell you that the DARK is what is going to kill you. Not the cold.

I am an American and am about to graduate this June from Gothenburg U Med school.

If you ever plan on going back to the states to practice medicine, do not come to Sweden for your education. Your chances of getting the specialty you want are critically limited. Both the curriculum and atmosphere here is Anti-American. Having the "Retrospectroscope" in front of me, I can say this has been mistake, but I have made the best of it.

Many good things here too, but none that are not feasible on vacation.

Please don't make this mistake.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

Many good things here too, but none that are not feasible on vacation.

Point taken... !

After thinking of what several posters have said on this thread, I have decided that if I were to do ANY schooling here, it would be just some undergrad stuff. More for cultural enrichment than anything.

But I should visit first to see if I even like it. 😀

 

[prettypea]

Interesting post... I'll chip in with my 2 cents as well, and just concur with the previous poster here that Sweden is a really tough place to fit in. (And he was in Gothenburg, where people are much friendlier! I've lived in Gothenburg for over 5 years, and am now in my 7th year in the Stockholm area, and can attest to the very big difference between the east and west coasters.) And yes, the dark is a billion times worth than the cold, but also don't come to Sweden expecting to make friends for life or anything like that.

However, I would totally encourage you to come for a short period as I am quite sure that Sweden is a great place to come to as an exchange student. Generally speaking, the administrators here are super-super-efficient and very accomodating. Also, Swedish is relatively easy to learn (I have a close German friend of mine who studied in Uppsala for 1 semester and is *almost* fluent), and as long as you're speaking English (or American), most people are glad to help you out.

If you do plan on coming, I would highly recommend Karolinska in Stockholm. It's ranked very highly internationally and has an excellent reputation as a teaching hospital.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

Hi Prettypea,

Is the feeling anti-American, or is it just the way people are? I've heard stories about people thinking that Swedes are rather cold or rude (which makes me wonder if those same people had ever been to NEW YORK CITY) but that once you get to know them, they are very loyal. I don't think it could be any worse than the US' east coast (and for you other Yankees out there, rest assured that I am a west coast transplant). 🙂

 

[prettypea]

Hey Kim,

Not necessarily that the feelings are anti-American (I don't have cold hard statistics on this, but I think Swedes are among the most America-friendly Europeans), but it's just the way Swedes are... Reserved to high heavens. And can I just say that I am always stunned when people say that New Yorkers are rude and cold...! Every time I go there, I always wonder at that myth! I guess it's all relative. 😉

I was flying home here to Stockholm the other day via Dublin (I'm on an exchange program in Ireland right now) where everyone is so "thank you oh my goodness you're grand don't worry about it thanks sorry have a good day love" and just at the gate boarding the plane you could pretty much spot the Irish and um, everyone else.

Swedish society is very insular and even after 2.5 years in med school (and 4 years studying business earlier), I feel like the friendships I've made are so superficial, whereas I usually find it easy to make good friends otherwise. But it's a lovely place to live for a short period and the quality of life (provided you make your own circle of international, English-speaking friends) can't be beat.

 

[helena]

IMO: People are reserved and it's hard to make new friends, but if you do get to know a Swede you can be pretty sure you've got a friend - the hard thing is getting to know us!

 

[helena]

And about Swedes being rude - I think we might come across rude to Americans but I think it's due to cultural differences. We don't understand that you think are behavior is rude since that's not our purpose 🙂

 

[f_w]

Some people moving to sweden complain that the swedes are somewhat cold and that it is very difficult to get to know people. Others are soo happy about all the new friends they found in sweden. I think it is similar to the US midwest. You have to make an effort to understand the local customs, what makes people tick and adjust your life accordingly. And how well you adjust to the customs of your host country is mainly up to you. One thing is for sure, you don't have as many 'friends' as you have in the US. People really wait to know someone fairly well before they consider them a 'friend'.

 

[Max_Berry]

Wow, I feel that I have aroused some defensive posturing from the pro-suedo union. Sorry about that, but my opinion stands.

The original poster has certainly gotten her money's worth.

Now, how 'bout we let this one die quietly?

Mvh,

Max

 

[f_w]

Did you receive a sub-par education ?

Other than your dismay about life closer to the polar circle and your perception of people being anti-american (gee why would that be), you haven't provided too many hard reasons why one shouldn't go to sweden for medschool.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

IMO: People are reserved and it's hard to make new friends, but if you do get to know a Swede you can be pretty sure you've got a friend - the hard thing is getting to know us!

Hej Helena!

You know, I think I must follow a lot of European traits... I'm more reserved and what not when I first meet someone, but that's not me being rude, that's just my nature! I think my fellow Americans tend to think that anyone who isn't an open book right off hand lacks some sort of friendly gene... But in my experience, I know that it's not the case at all!

I've had so many friendly and great experiences with people from all over the world- but I guess I'm pretty lucky! 🙂

 

[kimmcauliffe]

The original poster has certainly gotten her money's worth.

Hi Max-

Certainly some interesting points of view on the social aspect in Sweden. But I know it's all what you make of it, so I'm looking forward to getting first hand experience myself! 🙂

 

[turtle md]

I am an American; my wife is Swedish (from Leksand 🙂 ). I agree that basic Swedish is not too difficult to learn. I can hold polite conversation after just a few years of marriage and a few trips to Sweden.

During medical school (I attended in the US) I took an extra year to go abroad. We went to Sweden for 3 months. My mother-in-law has a physician as a friend and she arranged for me to work with her (unpaid). It was at the Swedish version of a local clinic. A doc there arranged for me to go to a hospital and follow a surgeon. All in all, it was a great experience. If you want to go to Sweden (I recommend Midsommer in Dalarna 😀 ), go for a visit. But study here if you ever want to work here as a physician.

 

[kimmcauliffe]

I am an American; my wife is Swedish (from Leksand 🙂 ). I agree that basic Swedish is not too difficult to learn. I can hold polite conversation after just a few years of marriage and a few trips to Sweden.

During medical school (I attended in the US) I took an extra year to go abroad. We went to Sweden for 3 months. My mother-in-law has a physician as a friend and she arranged for me to work with her (unpaid). It was at the Swedish version of a local clinic. A doc there arranged for me to go to a hospital and follow a surgeon. All in all, it was a great experience. If you want to go to Sweden (I recommend Midsommer in Dalarna 😀 ), go for a visit. But study here if you ever want to work here as a physician.

Hi Turtle!

Thanks for the advice. I'm actually planning a trip to Sweden for later this year/ early part of next year. I figured before I jump in, might as well get my feet wet at first! I was considering more undergrad than med school, I thought that maybe doing a semester abroad would benefit me culturally as well as academically. I'd just rather spend $1000 on a ticket somewhere and learn from others than on a new couch... though new couches are nice too... 🙂

 

[Julian_d]

Hej! 🙂

I'm a fourth year med student at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, so first of all: if you have any specific questions about the school I'll be glad to answer them.

Generally speaking, as one poster already said, Karolinska has a good reputation internationally, mainly thanks to much of the academic research done here (40 % of all medical research in Sweden, I believe). The quality of medical education is actually good wherever you go in Sweden. You could choose anyone of the six medical schools and although the programmes might differ a bit, no one is better or worse than the other.

I'm sure you've already visited the website, but maybe someone else also might be interested:
http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=133&l=en (general info about Karolinska)
http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1528&l=en (medicine at KI)

Of course, if you plan on coming to Stockholm when you visit Sweden later this year, be sure to send me an e-mail!

/Julian

 

[PathOne]

While it's certainly true that there's tons of high-caliber academic research going on at Karolinska, I do think that the school's "good reputation internationally" might also have something to do with the fact that it's a group of professors at Karolinska who decides who'll get the Nobel Prize in Medicine each year. For some reason, A LOT of high-powered researchers from all over the world is falling over themselves to work with Karolinska-people 😉

Seriously, Karolinska is a super school (and free to boot). But as previous poster said, all Nordic schools are basically good. Still, I don't think I'd want to contemplate going to any of them, unless I somehow had a knowledge of one of the local languages. Also, they all work according to the integrated European 6-7 year model, so there's no way you'd be able to get a MD in four years, regardless of how many diplomas you carry with you to the Cold North.

 

[f_w]

unless I somehow had a knowledge of one of the local languages

Swedish is fairly straightforward to learn if you are a primary english speaker.

Also, they all work according to the integrated European 6-7 year model, so there's no way you'd be able to get a MD in four years, regardless of how many diplomas you carry with you to the Cold North.

Still shaves off a year from the US model as you don't need a college degree to enter.

 

[Julian_d]

I was thinking of menitioning the Nobel prize in my previous post, but in the end didn't. But of course you're right, that's certainly one reason that the name Karolinska rings some bells all around the world.

Also, they all work according to the integrated European 6-7 year model...

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to here, but as far as Sweden goes medical school is 5,5 years, after which you do an internship for 18-21 months before getting your formal MD. This internship is not in any way connected to medical school as such. So yes, in total it takes about 7 years to become a (certified) doctor. Maybe that was what you meant.

 

[Luis Guilherme]

Hi... im brazilian and im already a doctor... im general surgeon and by now im at my first year of urology residency program... i wish to go abrod not only to do some post graduate program but if possible to live at another country.... i have some relatives at sweden and i wish to know if ther is any program that can i apply?
Anywone can give some place to start looking....
thx for all