SU Student Grey Lee Spends Semester Studying in Sweden
By SU Public Relations
SALISBURY, MD---Just months before the world was shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Salisbury University’s Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education sent its first students from the Physical Education Program to complete half their student teaching internships through a new partnership with Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden.
As global mobility returned following the pandemic, physical education students have returned to Sweden, and SU has welcomed the first Swedish students from Linköping to study abroad in Maryland.
Now the Seidel School’s Outdoor Education Leadership (ODEL) program has joined the effort. Senior Grey Lee, studying outdoor education leadership and environmental studies at SU, was the first ODEL major to spend a full semester on exchange in Sweden.
“I saw LiU in Linköping, Sweden, as the perfect opportunity to explore the breathtaking Scandinavian wilderness, as I have a deep passion for outdoor recreation,” said Grey. “As a student, I was also able to make international connections, travel throughout Europe at my own pace and experience many unique cultures.
“The outdoor education and environmental courses offered by LiU fit perfectly with my remaining ODEL and environmental studies course requirements here at Salisbury. My average day was spent out in the field; hiking in a mossy forest, kayaking through Baltic Sea archipelagos and camping in remote Swedish landscapes with thousands of years of human history engraved into the land.
“In addition to my coursework, I lived the Swedish lifestyle, experiencing different cultural traditions, laws and attitudes toward life. Most importantly, I learned how to survive a harsh Swedish winter.”
It was not just the coursework at Linköping that made the semester in Sweden so transformative for Grey, but the adventures that came with the travel.
“So many gateways for travel open for you as a student when you make it across the pond,” he said. “I had large gaps throughout the semester with no academic obligations, so I used that time to travel around as much as I could utilizing student discounts.
“During Christmas, I flew up north into a town in Swedish Lapland called Kiruna – right into the arctic circle. Then, I took a high-speed train from Linköping all the way down to Nürnberg, Germany. To celebrate the New Year, I decided to take a short trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, just for fun – all while remaining in my budget and getting the most out of my time abroad.”
The Seidel School of Education, under the leadership of Dean Laurie Henry, has opened the door for student exchange to Sweden, the new partnership with Linköping University is open to all SU students. LiU has a rich curriculum in math and computer science, business, teacher education, political science, social work and psychology, among other disciplines.
According to Grey, the most important thing to do to maximize the study abroad experience is to start planning as soon as possible.
“For many students like myself, studying abroad marks the first time you’re traveling and living internationally, so the process to get there can be intimidating,” he said. “But there are extensive resources available to help you get started, as well as advisors who would love nothing more than to see you go out into the world to gain the most incredible experience of your academic career.
“My advice is to not let hesitation hold you back from the experience of a lifetime. Do not let these opportunities pass you by. Take that initiative, go out into the world and achieve something great.”
For more information visit www.studyabroad.salisbury.edu and type “Sweden” into the search bar.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at www.salisbury.edu.