The Swedish connection

Ten Swedish students and two teachers pause on the steps of Old College during their April 21 visit to UD. In the front row (from left) are Josefin Gostasson, Matilda Svensson, Karin Fredriksson, Hanna Green and Martin Andersson. In the back row are Christoffer Danielsson, Linn Lowenberg, Pernilla Aspernas, Jessica Svardh (teacher), Nicolas Sjuberg, Smyth Johansson (teacher) and Maria Petersson.

2:22 p.m., April 22, 2004--It was face-to-face meeting time Wednesday, April 21, for 20 pen pals—10 freshmen from Calmare Internationella Skola in Kalmar, Sweden, and 10 freshmen enrolled in UD’s LIFE (Learning Integrated Freshman Experience) program.

The students met over lunch, went on a campus tour, attended a reception at the Blue & Gold Club to meet faculty involved with LIFE, saw an exhibition of student art and ended their visit with dinner at the Deer Park.

“We wanted the Swedish students to see what an American university and campus are like and to meet and talk informally with a group of their peers,” Meghan Biery, program coordinator for the Center for Teaching Effectiveness, said. “The two groups of students are excited to be meeting each other after writing to each other since January.” Biery organized the event.

The Swedish students are enrolled in a course at Calmare Internationaella Skola, called “International Profile: USA,” and, with their teacher, Jessica Svardh, are spending a week learning about Wilmington, Kalmar’s sister city.

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry

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