Details

• Sweden
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

1. I don't have too many tips for the application process. Sweden was only my fourth choice, so I did not prepare for that specifically. In general, I would try and find convincing reasons why you want to go to a certain place and why you fit there. I think it helps if you show that you are really passionate about it (which you should because Sweden ist great). 2. When preparing for the semester abroad in Gothenborg , I would apply to housing as early as possible, as you might not get a spot otherwise (as me). Additionally, I would text previous students that went to Gothenborg University, as it can help you get sorted. They can give you tips about the best spots, travels, university and living. I did that and it really helped me over the course of the whole exchange. Also, try not to pack too much. You will buy so much stuff and getting it all back will be really hard.

2. Accommodation

1. Accomodation search experience The search for accommodation was really stressful and frankly quite hard. I did not get into student housing, which was mainly due to me applying later that others. Therefore I had to search online for an accommodation. In the end I was successful on Airbnb. I was able to rent a room (+ own bathroom) in a big flat from a Swedish family. The room and the flat were really pretty and spacious. I got along with the family and especially the kids really well, as they were my age. But of course I was not always as independent as when I would have lived alone. Before booking that I also looked at the Waterfront cabins, which is a new living complex right by the water, that looks really cool. However the location was not as good, and it was quite far from my faculty building. 2. Accommodation type Private accommodation via Airbnb 3. Location, safety, Proximity My location was perfect. I lived right in Haga and only walked about 5-10 minutes to university. This was really convenient, as I attended many lectures and many Events happend at the faculty building. Additionally, the street with most bars, was 5 minutes away, and a big Park only about 15 minutes. Järntogert sqaure, was next to my house, and most trams passed that square. I therefore was perfectly connected to most parts of the city. For the first two months I walked mostly everywhere, as I lived so central, which was really convenient. I always felt really safe as I lived next to Järntorget and there where always people around. 4. Tips Start as early as you can. Same for the student housing. My apartment was more expensive than student housing, and so are most other private accommodations. Therefore you should apply to student housing as soon as possible, if that is what you want. Additionally, I think it is important to mention that the city is not very big, therefore the city center is quite small. Most student housings are outside of the city center and you will need the tram to get to university and the center.

3. Academic life at host university

1. campus infrastructure The faculty for business and economics is currently partly under construction, which can be annoying some times. Apart from that most lectures are in the same building close to one another. The faculty has a library in the building and another on the other side of the street. Both are really pretty and I studied there a lot. For lunch break, most students meal prep food and warm it up in the microwaves (the lunch hall has many) or get pasta from 'Benne'. There is however also a cafeteria with I think quite good food. 2. Academic culture The academic culture is more informal than at WU. You can address the profs. with their first names in emails and they usually respond super quickly as well. Other than that, the faculty (Handelshögskolan) had a student union that hosted events for internationals, every wednesday there was a pub you could go to and they also hosted a run club every Monday, which was a lot of fun. The other students were always super nice and offered help whenever needed. 3. Teaching style The teaching style was only a bit different than at home. Most lectures were similar (no attendance, not a lot happening). However, the profs. put a lot more emphasis on academic writing and citing (even in the exam). We had to read a lot of theoretical articles and papers, which I was not used to from my home university. Most courses did not have mandatory attendance at all, except for presentation days or sometimes short seminars. Also the lectures are mostly only 1h 45min and the profs always make a break after 45 min for 15 min. 4. Courses in comparison Two of my courses (Consumer behavior and Marketing trends) were a lot of work. Because of corona many courses have now implemented new exams at the end of the teaching period, instead of assignments. I had to study a lot for the exam, as they are really different than the ones at WU. In both exams I had to answer essay style questions, with sources on a safe exam browser. The exams were 4 hours long and I needed all the time on both exams. Other than that I usually had a paper or a presentation/ pitch that I completed with a group every week. Therefore the first two courses (advanced) were quite time consuming. The other two courses were only for internationals, therefore easier, however writing academic papers was still asked multiple times. I also felt it was quite hard to get an A, even after studying a lot.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Gothenborg was always filled with new activities, coffee breaks, (sometimes) uni and generally a lot of fun. The university and the student union at handels organized lot of welcoming events and over the course of the semester other fun events (example: Sport classes at different Gyms, Speedfriending, run clubs, Beer pong Events, Island Trips). I also started field hockey and went to training twice a week, which was a lot of fun. In the first weeks until about beginning of October, we tried to be outside in the sun as often as possible (as everybody else). Going to the Islands in front of Gothenborg is amazing when the sun is out. Sometimes we only stayed for a few hours, other days we stayed almost the whole day. When the weather is good, everyone is outside, so its nice to work out, sit in the sun, go for a swim etc. One time we rented a Sauna on an island for a few hours, which was great. On the weekends we visited Liseberg (before christmas) or went on city trips, which is really easy by train or Flixbus. Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are all only about 4 hours away. We also went to several Ice hockey games which was always a lot of fun, as the Team is really good. As university lectures were often not mandatory, I was quite flexible during the weeks to do fun activities. Obviously before my exams, I therefore had to study a lot. Most clubs require you to be 21 (on weekends often 23) to go inside, however sometimes they have events for younger people. On Wednesday all Erasmus students go to Yaki-da as they have free entry until 10, which is almost always a lot of fun. The university pub is also open on Wednesday, so we often went there before going to the club. The city has a lot of bars you can go to, when you don't want to go clubbing that have cheaper beer and wine as well. Most of them are located in Andra Långgatan. The public transport works alright. The trams are ALWAYS late, but you get used to it. When you live in a student housing, you should know that the trams do not drive through the whole night, but in that case uber works perfect. The city has a lot of nice little cafes. my favorites are GERD, Cafe Magasinet and Da Matteo. They have great food, cinnamon buns and good coffee. Especially when the weather is not nice, its great to just drink a coffee and chat with friends. As far as I know there also is the biggest half marathon of the world in April happening in the city, which should be a really cool Event for you to visit.

6. Testimonial

My exchange Semester was an incredible time. After not knowing anything about Gotheborg and barely anything about Sweden, I now have a new favorite city. Its the perfect city for the exchange semester with the perfect size, location and things to do. I met incredible people and got to learn a lot about the Swedish way of life. I think what made it the most special, was that I was able to do so many things I have been meaning to do for a long time: See northern lights in Lappland, play field hockey, live in the North of Europe, travel around Scandinavia and eat real Swedish cinnamon buns. And I got to experience that with all my new friends, which makes it extra special.