The Swedish language is taught in 4 educational establishments in Belarus including our university. Due to the intensive cooperation between Polotsk State University and the Swedish Institute, that works in the field of international cooperation and academic mobility, PSU students can take part in language summer courses in Sweden free of charge. This year students of Humanities Faculty Margaryta Lashch and Darya Yadrishchenskaya got such a unique possibility.
Margaryta was awarded with a scholarship at Hola Folk High School: «It was a good experience for me because communication with native speakers is priceless for a linguist. I like how Swedes treated us. The head of the school personally met every student. All teachers were very responsive and helpful. At the lessons we sang song, watched videos, discussed various actual issues. At weekends we had excursions. In our free time we played football, went to the lake, rode bicycles and enjoyed the nature. We also got acquainted with Swedish history, culture and nature. The nature is very beautiful, clean. It’s obvious that people love and take care of their country».
Darya studied Swedish at Axevalla Folk High School: «I can definitely say that this summer course in Sweden is the most unusual and exciting experience in my life. It was hard at the beginning. I constantly had to concentrate, understand foreign speech, and it was a bit tiring. Most of all I liked communication with people from different countries, experience exchange, new friends, wonderful evenings near the campfire, games, entertaining homework (for example, video shooting), tours to historical places in Sweden and many others. I’m very thankful that we as students-linguists have such a great chance to study abroad and be awarded with a scholarship».
During the time of cooperation with the Swedish Institute 13 students and teachers have been awarded with scholarships for studying at summer courses in Sweden.