Details

• Sweden
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Interview process goes well as long as you know your reasons for going abroad, mention why this specific country/university, and how you plan on tackling any probable challenges there. Think about the trips you might want to go on when abroad as it is more difficult to plan when the semester has officially started. There is a collaboration between JU and Timetravels where trips can be booked at student prices.

2. Accommodation

I lived in one of the 2-bedroom Linsen apartments with another WU student. We likely got this apartment which was the highest priority on both of our lists because we specifically requested it as a pair via email. I suggest doing so if you don't mind the slightly more expensive rent as it is in walking distance of the uni and people from other accommodations (Räslatt, Ekhhagen, etc.) have to commute which people regularly complain about. I enjoyed Linsen, it has a grocery store and pharmacy less than 50m which are well-equipped, it is quiet and safe, but also very close to uni. The accommodation office staff was also very friendly.

3. Academic life at host university

Courses are easier to grasp for the most part, and are not difficult to follow. However, it is a bit harder to score the best grades, as the topic student have to understand for exams are sometimes not transparent. Also, almost every course has a group project which is often worth close to half of the final grade. It is difficult to pick the perfect group when you don't know most of your classmates but I highly recommend being extra social during those first few classes and pair up with a group that has similar ambitions in regard to the grade. Group projects are a pain otherwise.

5. Every day life in the host country

Jönköping is a generally safe city, much smaller and less eventful than Vienna, but very student-friendly. There are lots of opportunities to socialise with other students and many events you can take part in (many more than in regard to WU). I personally went to the gym "NordicWellness" which costs very little for students (about 20-25EUR monthly) and there is a university sports facility called JUSA for many sports which I also recommend. There is a book club, and associations where students can volunteer and get great CV-material, but the work is an additional 20-40 hours per week and therefore only done by overachievers.

6. Testimonial

I loved my exchange semester mostly due to the fact that I got to meet so many new people from all over the world and connect. Kickoff week at JU was invaluable for this as I got the chance to meet many new faces in the first 10 days. I enjoyed participating in activities outside the traditional course structure. I got to conduct interviews, meet working professionals, learn about Fika (Swedish break tradition), and much more. Being able to represent WU at the exchange fair was a valuable experience as well, as I got to reflect on my studies and answer questions from interested students, while exchanging cultural experiences.