Maxime’s Study Exchange in Sweden: A Life-changing Experience

“In terms of professional development, I gained new competencies in different domains such as Management and Networks. This allowed me to enhance my skills and become more versatile. On a personal level, what I enjoyed the most was exploring Sweden. It was incredible. Visiting Lapland just before Christmas was the highlight of my time in Sweden. The snow, the Santa Claus village, everything was just perfect.”

About Maxime

Maxime Treve, a 21-year-old student from Epitech Toulouse, is currently pursuing his 4^th year of studies at Halmstad University in Sweden. From a young age, Maxime had a curiosity for technology that led him to experiment with old PCs and smartphones, including changing their operating systems and making alterations in Windows. Through these experiments, he discovered his passion for IT, particularly in the field of cybersecurity. According to Maxime, what he loves about cybersecurity is how a small vulnerability can lead to the compromise of an entire system.

Aside from his studies, Maxime also enjoys staying active and engaging in sports. He goes to the gym regularly and likes cycling on both Cyclocross and road bikes. With a passion for technology and a love for sports, Maxime has found a balance in his life that keeps him motivated and driven towards his goals. In the next sections of this article, we will delve deeper into Maxime’s experiences during his student exchange program and the valuable lessons he learned while studying in Sweden.

Why Sweden was the Perfect Destination for Maxime?

“When I was searching for IT universities for my 4^th year mobility abroad, I stumbled upon Halmstad University in Sweden. The study program offered aligned perfectly with what I wanted to learn, which was Networks, Cybersecurity, and Management. So, first and foremost, the program was a major factor in my decision to study here.

Secondly, the destination itself was an attractive aspect of studying in Sweden. The country is known for its scenic beauty, and you can even go to Lapland during the year. The Scandinavian countries are known for their natural beauty, and my first impression of Sweden was from the plane window where I could see the beautiful forests stretching out before me.

Lastly, the quality of life in Sweden is simply amazing. It is a hundred times better than what I experienced in France. Of course, this quality of life comes with a higher cost of living compared to France, but it is still reasonable. All in all, Sweden was the perfect destination for me to pursue my education in IT and Cybersecurity.”

First Impressions

“When I arrived in Sweden, I was pleasantly surprised by the city. My first impression was quite good, and I was excited to start my new adventure. The first two days were spent setting up my apartment, and on the second day, my roommates moved in. It was great to have some company and get to know them better.

After that, we attended the “Nollning” which is the week of integration. It was a great way to meet new people and get involved in various activities, such as dancing. Speaking of dancing, it was the main activity that we did during the Nollning.

The culture in Sweden is quite similar to France, with some differences, of course. But overall, I found it easy to adapt to the new environment. The exchange university has some great facilities that I’ve never experienced before, like being able to rent a classroom with boards and TV for group work. So my overall first impressions were quite good.”

What were the most enjoyable aspects of your experience?

“In terms of professional development, I gained new competencies in different domains such as Management and Networks. This allowed me to enhance my skills and become more versatile. On a personal level, it was the experience of living with two roommates for the first time. It could be challenging at times, like figuring out how to divide cooking responsibilities, but it was a valuable learning experience.

But what I enjoyed the most was exploring Sweden. It was incredible. Visiting Lapland just before Christmas was the highlight of my time in Sweden. The snow, the Santa Claus village, everything was just perfect.”

What Did This New Experience Bring You?

“Living in Sweden has taught me a lot about the Scandinavian way of life. It’s different from what I’m used to, but I find it quite impressive. The emphasis they put on wellness is remarkable. People here regularly go to the gym and eat healthily. They have a great way of living that promotes a healthy lifestyle, and it’s something that I’ve come to appreciate. Overall, this experience has given me a new perspective on life, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned.”

Maxime’s advices to our future tek4 students going to study in Sweden

“If I had some advice to give to future tek4 students studying in Sweden, the first would be to prepare for the cold weather and buy suitable clothing to keep warm. The second advice would be to prepare for early nights and the lack of vitamin D during the winter months.My third advice would be to carefully review the courses you plan to take, because some Master’s courses may require a specific background in the discipline beforehand. For example, the AI course may require a bachelor’s degree in AI to do well, which is not always the case at Epitech.”

Maxime’s experience studying abroad in Sweden was a truly life-changing opportunity. He was able to learn new competencies in different domains, enhance his skills and become more versatile in his profession. On a personal level, he was able to adapt to a new way of living, live with roommates for the first time, and explore the beauty of Sweden. Overall, studying abroad is an opportunity to broaden one’s horizons, challenge oneself and gain new perspectives, and Maxime’s experience in Sweden is a testament to that.