Clara · Sweden
North Park University · Chicago, Illinois, USA
Semester abroad via Beyond Abroad
Clara had a few clear reasons for choosing to study abroad in the USA. She wanted to challenge herself, improve her English in a real environment rather than a classroom, and understand what studying in the US actually feels like from the inside. North Park University in Chicago gave her all of that. It also gave her something she had not quite planned for: a city she genuinely fell in love with.
First impressions of campus
Clara arrived at North Park not knowing quite what to expect. What she found was a campus that felt immediately welcoming. It was smaller and more community-oriented than she had imagined a US university to be. The sense of something always happening, always someone to talk to, settled in quickly.
"My first impression of campus was that it felt very welcoming and social. There's a great sense of community at the school, and there's always something to do."
That community feeling is one of the things North Park students consistently mention. The university is not enormous, which means you are not anonymous. You recognize faces from class in the library. You run into people you know on campus. For a student arriving alone from Sweden, that kind of environment makes the early weeks considerably easier.
The courses: hands-on and connected to the real world
Clara is studying Business Marketing, and the courses quickly won her over, specifically because of how applied they are. Rather than theory for its own sake, her marketing courses are built around real companies and real case studies. She walks out of class with something she can actually use.
"My favorite courses are my marketing courses because they're very hands-on and connected to real companies and case studies."
That practical orientation is one of the defining features of studying business in the US. American universities, particularly at undergraduate level, tend to prioritize applicable skills alongside academic theory. For students coming from more lecture-heavy European systems, the shift can feel refreshing. Group work, presentations, industry case studies, and company projects are woven into the week rather than saved for end-of-year assessments.
What a typical day actually looks like
Clara’s days follow a pattern familiar to any exchange student who has found their rhythm. Classes, group work, library time, and then the city in the evening. Chicago is large enough that there is always something new. It is compact enough that getting around it does not feel like a project.
"A typical day usually consists of classes, group work, and studying at the library or a café on campus. After school I usually hang out with friends or find something to do in the city."
The campus café and library are worth flagging specifically. Both serve as genuine social spaces, not just places to get work done. Clara spends time in both. The rhythm of moving between focused study and impromptu conversation is part of what gives the day its texture.
Chicago: a city that keeps delivering
One of the less obvious advantages of studying in Chicago is the city itself. Chicago is genuinely one of the great American cities. It is distinct from New York and Los Angeles in ways that students tend to appreciate. It is big and full of culture, but also walkable in a way that makes it feel livable rather than overwhelming.
"I really love Chicago. It's a big, lively city with lots of activities, restaurants, sports, and culture. There's always something new to discover."
Places Clara recommends
If you are heading to Chicago, Clara has a clear shortlist. Downtown Chicago is worth spending a full day in, especially along the Riverwalk and the Magnificent Mile. Millennium Park is a landmark, and the surrounding area gives you a sense of the city’s scale and ambition. Lincoln Park is quieter, greener, and great for a weekend afternoon. Each neighborhood has its own personality. Exploring them is part of what makes the semester feel like a genuine experience of Chicago rather than just a backdrop to university life.
Housing: the case for living close to campus
Clara lives in university-arranged dorm accommodation, which she found through the housing process that Beyond Abroad coordinated alongside the application. Having housing sorted before she landed removed a significant source of stress from the move. In the fall, she will share an apartment on campus with another Swedish student.
"My tip is to try to live close to campus, since it makes student life much easier and more fun. It's also good to start your housing search well in advance."
💡Clara’s housing tip: proximity to campus matters more than students expect before they arrive. The difference between a ten-minute walk and a forty-minute commute is not just time. It is how often you stay for things after class, how easily you meet people, and how much the campus actually becomes part of your daily life.
What she would tell someone on the fence
Clara’s advice for nervous students is the same thing she would have wanted to hear before she left Sweden. Stop overthinking it. The nervousness is normal and it passes. What stays is everything that comes after.
"Dare to try it. It can feel nerve-wracking at first, but you grow a lot and gain memories and friends for life."
That growth she is describing is both personal and professional. Clara plans to work in marketing or business after graduating. She is already thinking about how studying abroad in the US will shape her career. The real-world case studies, the international network, the practical confidence from navigating a new country: all of it travels back with her.
Inspired by Clara’s story? Explore Beyond Abroad programs in the USA, including North Park University in Chicago.