Great interest in Open Day at KI Campus Flemingsberg
Applications to universities and colleges are now open, and KI welcomed prospective students to the Open Day at KI Campus Flemingsberg on March 26. There was great interest and many questions as visitors from Sweden and Europe learned more about their dream programmes.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore educational options, ask questions to students, academic advisors, and faculty members, and get inspired by exciting career paths in medicine and health. They also got a closer look at KI’s facilities, focusing on student life, the study environment, and opportunities for exercise and wellness.
Future healthcare professionals and researchers
There are many reasons to apply to KI’s programs. Florence Stackenland, who visited the nursing program, is halfway through her professional career and is considering leaving her job in telecommunications to pursue a future in healthcare. Her interest in the human body and its functions was sparked when both of her parents became ill at the same time.
"I realized how valuable this knowledge is and how fascinating the nursing profession can be. Additionally, it would be easier to take care of my parents if I understood more about the body and had a caregiving profession," she says.
Other visitors were about to enter the job market and already had clear ideas about their future careers. Zion Carteg Sönderhegn traveled to Stockholm from Örebro with his father.
"I am determined to conduct research in biomedicine. There are similar programs closer to home, but KI’s program has the reputation of being the best for those who want to pursue research after their undergraduate studies," says Zion Carteg Sönderhegn, who is in his final year of high school and plans to apply for the Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine this spring.
Research and international opportunities
The Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine is an undergraduate program taught in English with an international profile. This appeals to many students planning their future studies:
"Most of the questions we received during the Open House were about exchange studies. Many who approached us had already decided on the program and were interested in both research and the international opportunities it offers. We also received questions about the differences between Biomedicine at KI and Biotechnology at KTH, as many applicants consider both," says Malin Sandell, academic advisor for the Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine.
Interest from several countries
Norah Walraven, a 16-year-old from the Netherlands, also attended KI’s Open House to learn more about the Bachelor's Programme in Biomedicine and the conditions for studying in Sweden as a foreign citizen.
"Earlier, I considered doing an exchange year in Sweden, but when I discovered that the program is taught in English and has an international profile, I wanted to explore the possibility of studying the entire program here," says Norah Walraven, who came to Open Day in Flemingsberg with her aunt who lives in Stockholm.
They visited the program’s booth and took the opportunity to ask academic advisors and staff from KI’s International Office about admissions and exchange opportunities.
Many questions about PIL
Many attendees had questions about the alternative selection process for the medical program, known as PIL. This is a parallel selection group to high school grades and the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test. The alternative selection process consists of three steps and assesses the applicant’s motivation and suitability.
"The interviews aim to provide a holistic view of the applicant's qualifications for medical studies," says May Sundström, responsible for PIL in the medical programme. She continues:
"I received questions about all steps of PIL, but especially about how the interviews are conducted, how to prepare, and what kinds of questions are asked."
Many gathered around the medical programme booth were also curious about student life and whether it is possible to have free time while studying medicine.
"If you want a glimpse of student life, the best way is to read the student blog or follow our digital student ambassadors on TikTok and Instagram," suggests May Sundström.
Appreciated student perspectives
Judging by the lively atmosphere and many engaging conversations, visitors particularly appreciated hearing firsthand from student representatives about studies and student life. And the experience was mutual:
"It was incredibly fun to meet prospective students and see their enthusiasm for our programs," says Emmie de Jong, student representative and secretary of the student union’s physiotherapy section. She continues:
"It is also rewarding to broaden their understanding of what studying physiotherapy entails. When I first started, I thought it was mostly about sports injuries. But it is equally about treating lung disease patients who need to move to clear their airways or helping patients with mobility within palliative care."
Differences between programmes
Most of the questions for both the physiotherapy and occupational therapy programmes concerned the differences between the two fields:
"Physiotherapists focus on movement and physical rehabilitation, meaning the body's functions. Occupational therapists, on the other hand, help individuals manage daily activities through adaptations and strategies, taking into account the individual’s overall life situation and abilities in rehabilitation," explains Sara Vahidi, student representative and occupational therapy student.
Campus tour
A popular and exciting feature of the Open Day was the campus tour, guided by student representatives. The tour included visits to an exam hall, the Health Hub, KI’s gym, the library, and a presentation from the Dental Students' Association.
The Open House at KI Campus Flemingsberg will be back next year!