Swedish exchange student Ida Karlsson says she thinks of the stereotypical Canadian as helpful, apologetic, and nice.

Proof positive was when Karlsson landed a free ride from the Windsor International Airport to the University after chatting with a woman during her Windsor bound flight.

While at the University of Windsor, she will be taking classes and generating content for one of the busiest social media channels in the city — the University's.

Back home, while having their Fika (a Swedish break including coffee and sweets), her parents worry about her safety, health, and whether she will be whisked away by the possibilities of a new romance. Ida’s parents also know that their daughter is seeing the world in a new light, hearing new academic perspectives and scouting out possible future vacations to North America. 

While on exchange, Karlsson plans to take advantage of having quick access to the most exciting North American cities.

Communication Studies student Shreyas Tambe shares his exchange experiences with Ida Karlsson from Jonkoping University in the Welcome Centre.

Despite landing an excellent internship opportunity and the prospects of new vacations, she is focused on social opportunities within the community. Karlsson has already made a few friends including UWindsor Economics and Communication, Media and Film student Shreyas Tambe. Tambe completed his UWindsor exchange to Jonkoping one year ago today. Ida and Shreyas have already swapped stories and perspectives about student exchanges, Jonkoping, and Windsor.

While Ida aims to do well academically, she knows that her social experiences are fundamental to establishing long lasting student exchange memories.

According to Student Exchange Coordinator Michelle Fitzgerald, UWindsor for the Winter 2018 semester, has students from over 26 international partners from 12 countries. Jonkoping has been working with the University of Windsor for more than 15 years.

Tim Brunet