Beyond the Nobel Prize: Innovation in Sweden

A century ago, Sweden was among the poorest nations in Europe. Today, the country is a world leader in innovation—ranked #3 on the 2022 Global Innovation Index—despite being home to just 0.13% of the global population.

Students will examine innovation across a variety of disciplines and consider how solutions to problems facing society require creativity, collaboration, and new ways of thinking. In particular, we will explore how organizational, political, cultural, and social environments can foster innovation, using the Swedish context. By immersing in Swedish culture, we will better understand its role in facilitating an innovative environment as we examine the reasons behind Sweden’s ranking (#3 in 2022) on the Global Innovation Index and the Nobel Prize, international awards bestowed by Swedish institutions that recognize significant academic, cultural and scientific advances. As a learning abroad seminar, students will learn about their level of intercultural competence and strategies to increase their competence, as well as engage in a practical experience of navigating another culture in an intentional and reflective way. Through examining innovation through the Swedish lens and across disciplines, students will emerge with an understanding about how business and government practices foster innovation in a country beyond the United States.

Stay in shared housing with other program participants. A welcome and farewell meal as well as some additional meals are included in the program fee.

While in Sweden, your surroundings will become your classroom. Explore Swedish culture and its role facilitating innovation across disciplines—such as the arts, education, science, and technology—through readings, lectures, and visits to various sites. Learn about the Swedish context and how work environments can foster space for creative thinking and expression. Potential excursions, lectures, and points of interest may include:

• Guest lectures on:
  • Swedish Politics
  • Swedish language & culture
  • Innovation & business in Sweden
  • The Swedish workplace
  • The Swedish approach to Covid-19
  • Sustainability in Sweden
• Riksdagen (Parliament)
• Swedish History Museum
• Vasa Ship Museum
• Södermalm walking tour
• Skansen
• Archipelago tour
• SUP46 or similar
• Nobel Museum
• Klarna or similar
• Ghost tour
• Malmö excursion (2 night study tour)
• Innovation & Science with Magnus Backlund
• Sustainability related visits

It might be possible to deviate your return flight. Inquire with your program contact if interested.

• Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
• Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
• Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting

This seminar also offers you opportunities to examine:

• The role of creativity and innovation in addressing societal challenges and how organizational environments and locations foster creative thinking and problem-solving
• The social, economic, cultural, historical, and political conditions that led to Sweden's recognition as a global leader in innovation
• The history of the Nobel Prize, as well as particular examples of academic, cultural, and scientific advances
• Similarities and differences between the United States' and Sweden's approaches to fostering innovative and creative practices within society
• Your own level of intercultural competence and strategies to increase your level of intercultural competence

This Global Seminar is led by Nikki Letawsky Shultz, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and International Programs, College of Biological Sciences.

Information Sessions

Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on this website.

May Session 2023 Cost of Participation

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, group flight airfare, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. You must also budget for passport and passport photos, some meals, textbooks, independent travel, and miscellaneous living expenses.

If a student is required to isolate during the program dates due to Covid-19, there may be an additional cost for the isolation period. Additional housing costs might also be covered by the onsite partner's insurance plan. In some cases, with agreement by students and prior approval from the university, roommates, apartment-mates or students who are in close contact with each other and who both test positive, may share a room in quarantine housing, in accordance with local regulations. This information is subject to change and will be updated accordingly.

COVID-19 Information

A COVID-19 vaccine & booster and negative COVID test before departure (own expense) may be required on arrival in country or at various venues in this location. This may change before departure. Participants are also expected to follow local and governmental COVID-19 guidelines and requirements such as masking, social distancing, or curfews. Admission and participation in areas of this program may require accessing venues or public transportation which require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and these requirements could be updated before departure or during the program. Participants will be required to present valid proof of vaccination to gain entrance or will not be able to participate in this portion of the program. Visit the CDC International Travel and the LAC COVID-19 Protocols or LAC COVID Policies pages for updated information.

U.S. Consulate in Sweden COVID-19 site (current updates on entry/exit and local requirements).

More information can be provided during advising sessions and pre-departure orientation with the program contact in the LAC.