UISS Brochure 2021
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Summer 2021 Summer 2020 www.uiss.org UISS staff 2019, at Farewell Dinner themed: “typically Swedish” from left: Ruud, Kelly, Gustav, Nelleke, Erland, Maja, Felicia, Midsummer celebrations with the Swedes Students Farewell dinner with theme ‘Pirates vs. Vikings’ Farewell dinner with theme “Celebration of Diversity” 2 Testimonials From Our Students YASMINA, ZALFA, AIDA, NAYLA CHARAF, 18-22 STUDENTS, [email protected] LEBANON The first time we came to UISS in 2017 there were just two of us, but after an amazing experience, two more of our younger sisters joined for summers 2018 (we were 3) and 2019 (we were 4 and hopefully 5 for next summer). This intensive session was very beneficial for us because not only did it help us improve our Swedish, but it also introduced us to Swedish culture (which is completely different from ours). Moreover, during these few weeks spent at UISS, we bonded with other student,s who came from all around the world. Our morning courses (Swedish courses) were as fun as they were instructive. In the afternoon, the theatre, singing or literature courses would get us all out of our comfort zones and encourage us interact with other students. During the weekends we could participate on school trips. These trips were interest- ing and fun and also gave us the opportunity to visit the most famous and beautiful places in Sweden. The staff and the professors are very kind and warm. They are really present for the students, they take care of each of us individually, making sure all of our needs are met and are ready to help us in any tricky situation. We keep a great memory of every person who took part in this program and helped make it a success. This experience is not to miss if you’re looking to improve your Swedish in the most joyful way. TIMOTHY CRANE, 20 USA STUDENT, [email protected] My summers in Sweden were not like a study abroad or another trip. It was discovering a new place that felt everyday more and more like home. I have made stronger friendships than even at my home college. Every day is a lot of work but a unique experience. Everyone is so welcoming to learners from all levels and every night I spoke Swedish at bars, restaurants and with friends, all without judgement. The classes you take will prepare you to excel in Swedish and anything else you want to learn about Sweden. The music classes are the best and I think everyday about the people I met from all around the world that wanted to learn about me as well as Sweden. This is so much more than a language school. Every day is a life-changing experience. PALOMA BASANTA LORIGA, 55 GERMANY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND QUALITY MANAGER, [email protected] One thing is clear: if you choose UISS for the fourth time to improve your Swedish, you really believe in the quality of this program. I came in 2014 for the first time and at that year I attended a B1+ course. I had started with Swedish in Germany partially because one of our biggest customers was a Swedish company but especially for my personal interest for languages. But in order to improve the language I knew I had to find a language program in Sweden. UISS is the only program in Sweden that offers Swedish at all levels especially the more advanced ones. The quality of the teachers has always exceeded my expectations. They all have a solid linguistic education and are trained in teaching Swedish as a foreign language. Most teachers speak other languages which is helpful when they explain things to a multicultural class. In the morning Swedish is taught for four hours in a very intensive way, but also with a variety of activities to train speaking and writing, your grammar and listening- and reading comprehension. It never gets boring! The course I took this summer was the C level. Our teacher John Dolve has the talent to combine all these activities in such a way that you learn a lot and still stay focused. Coming for the fourth time I only had one small worry: Will it be as fun as the other times? Will I meet so nice people as I did the previous years? The answer is clear: Yes, it only gets better! Thank you UISS for letting me be part of this big Swedish family! 3 A Word From the Director Every year about 230 students and professionals from all over the world participate in the UISS. Spending a summer together with people from 40 different countries, ages 18 - 65, with different I am so happy that you are looking into what our backgrounds, is a valuable and unforgettable program has to offer and I hope to be able to experience. welcome you to the wonderful city of Uppsala and our program in 2021. Please read this brochure The weekend trips to Helsinki and Lapland are very carefully as it will provide you with all the great experiences, so make sure to take part in at information you’ll need to fill out your application least one of them. Two highlights during the and to prepare for your studies with the UISS in summer are the potluck dinner, to which students Uppsala, Sweden. bring food that is typical for their homelands, and the farewell banquet. Each three-week session The UISS is a non-profit organization and is ends with a 3-course dinner or buffet and dance, a completely self-supportive. We teach all classes at so-called “student gasque”, where students and Vuxenskolan, a modern facility in the centre of teachers perform songs and sketches. The dinners Uppsala. will have a theme. July 1 we will have a “Typically Swedish” theme, where people can dress up as a All teachers within the UISS are qualified to teach famous Swedish character or in blue and yellow. at an academic level. The newest teaching On July 22 we will have a 60’s en 70’s theme, On methods are applied resulting in an active, August 12, we will have a more formal, motivating and stimulating atmosphere in our three-course dinner. The theme is “Dress-up for a classes. Our courses are intensive and are party!” intended for the serious and motivated student. I think the UISS has a lot to offer and I can assure When learning a language it is also very important you that you will have a great summer in Uppsala, to learn about the culture, history and society and living as a Swede, as you combine your studies we do offer quite a number of those classes. with interesting and fun experiences. Our experience is that it is a very good combina- I personally love working with this program as no tion to focus on studying the Swedish language in summer is the same and it is always exciting to the morning and to do something entirely different meet so many people from all corners of the world in the afternoon. For example the numerous with one thing in common: an interest in Sweden, courses we have in which music and/or theater its language and culture. I really love Sweden, so are involved, will teach you much more than just a to be able to offer a program that is all about song or a scene. New horizons will open up and teaching Swedish and all aspects of Sweden is the you will be surprised at how much your language best job for me. skills have improved and you will not only have learned about the culture but sometimes also Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me directly if about yourself. you have any questions. I hope to see you in Uppsala in the summer of 2021. Välkommen! It is important to organize free time activities along- with all the classroom hours, so that our students see something of the country. Equally important to Nelleke Dorrestijn, us is to maintain the personal atmosphere that [email protected] always has been a strength of this program. 4 .. .. Valkommen hit, valkommen hem ‘WELCOME TO UPPSALA, WELCOME HOME’ Uppsala is a beautiful and lively city during the The lake is close by and one will often find our summer. The frozen Swedes wake up from their students there on the weekends. Gamla Uppsala hibernation and nature falls into bloom. Numerous offers a look into the history of not only Uppsala, events are arranged by cultural organizations, and but of Sweden, with remains from the Viking Era several of Uppsala University’s student organiza- and mythical royal graves. And Stockholm with all tions - the student nations - open their (outdoor) the capital has to offer is only a 45-minute train restaurants, clubs and pubs. ride away. 5 Uppsala International Summer Session THE UISS PROGRAM Uppsala International Summer Session is a The teachers are all qualified to teach at an non-profit foundation that offers summer academic level. The teachers in Swedish have an courses in the Swedish language, culture, history academic degree specifically for teaching and society annually for two, three, six and Swedish as a foreign language and also work at nine weeks. different universities during the academic year. This guarantees the academic and educational Since the founding year of 1963 we have standards of the classes, which in addition to the received thousands of students from across the application of the newest teaching methods, globe. Their motives and backgrounds may vary, results in an active, motivating, and stimulating but they all have the same goal, to study atmosphere in the classes.