Ever wonder what makes so many Swedish students study at a U.S. university? We did and Erik Kinnhammar, himself a North Parker, took off to find a few answers from fellow Chicago students.

Hanna Kronström
20-year-old exchange student from Tranås

What makes you study at NPU?
"I had a friend who did this exchange program a few years ago. He recommended it and told me it was a developing and fun time. It gives me time to figure out what to do in the future."

What do you see of Sweden here, and do you miss anything?
"I see a lot of Swedish students. They stand out a little bit. You can see if they are Swedish or not. Sweden doesn’t seem that far away because of everyone’s connection to it.
I miss the nature so much. In Sweden we have forests where we can go for walks. I also miss homemade food (husmanskost)."

What is the most significant difference between the U.S. and Sweden?
"People here don’t care about the environment. Most of the people don’t recycle or turn off their car when waiting for someone. The usage of the plastic bags at the grocery stores is also unsustainable."

Manfred Högström
19-year-old exchange student from Vänersborg

What makes you study at NPU?
"I wanted to travel and study at the same time. I didn’t know what to study, but my family has relatives in Chicago and some of them had done this program the opposite way."

What do you see of Sweden here, and do you miss anything?
"You can see a lot of small stuff, Swedish stores, restaurants and the way people eat pancakes. You can definitely see the Swedish influence in Chicago. They have kept the Swedish traditions."

What is the most significant difference between the U.S. and Sweden?
"Most of the things. The way people hang out, the food, what we talk about, and how we talk about it. People here are also a lot more social to strangers."

Elias Lind
21-year-old exchange student from Jönköping

What makes you study at NPU?
"I have always had this childish dream to study in the U.S. I have been watching so many TV-series and I just wanted to experience all that on my own."

What do you see of Sweden here, and do you miss anything?
"First when I got here I could instantly see Swedish people. It was so easy to spot people all around campus. Of course, we have the blue and yellow colors everywhere, besides I don’t think it is a super Swedish school. I don’t miss anything, but if I did it would probably be dairy products."

What is the most significant difference between the U.S. and Sweden?
"People tend to claim more space here than in Sweden. Sometimes in a group it can be difficult to think because people are so loud."

Erik Kinnhammar

North Park University, Chicago, founded by Swedish immigrants in the 19th century remains a stronghold for Swedish and Scandinavian education. North Park University