Dickinson College has partnered with the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS) to offer students abroad opportunities in Sweden. 

The college already partners with DIS for an abroad program in Copenhagen, Denmark. Students interested in this program can take classes in Health Studies, Psychology and Neuroscience. DIS recently opened a program in Stockholm, Sweden and operates programs in Economics, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Psychology and Public Health. “We already know DIS to be an excellent program…[a]fter careful consideration, faculty recommended we add them as a partner,” said Samantha Brandauer, associate provost and executive director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement (CGSE). 

Dickinson College students have the opportunity to apply for the Fall 2020 program and the full 2020-21 academic year program. “With any new program it often takes time for interest to build,” said Brandauer and explained that the college does not send faculty to partner programs. Currently, there are over 40 faculty members from DIS based on Stockholm’s campus. 

Some students expressed their interest in the new program. Zori Hamilton ’22 has applied for Stockholm’s Fall 2020 program. As a psychology major, she originally intended to study at the Toulouse, France program. She wants to pursue a career in forensic psychology, however, “…Dickinson does not offer any courses related to that career path,” she said and explained DIS Stockholm has her desired classes. “I am looking forward to learning more about the subject area and exploring Sweden,” Hamilton said. 

Other students reacted to the college’s new partnership. Jonah Skeen ’21 said he would have studied in Sweden instead of England if the program was offered last fall. Aidan Birth ’21 said, “As long as [the program] maintains Dickinson’s standards for a strong global education…then [the college] should go for it.” Birth also raised a concern of communication in Sweden since the college does not offer courses in the Swedish language. However, the program’s website states that all programs are taught in English. 

DIS Stockholm is the newest partner program and joins 35 other institutions that Dickinson College students can attend. “Partner programs are added to expand curricular or geographic needs not met by Dickinson in programs,” said Brandauer. All classes are taught in English, and the program focuses on the integration of curriculum with European life. “You will learn how concepts and issues are perceived, lived, and theorized in Europe,” according to the DIS Sweden website. Preferred students are those majoring in available fields.