Exchange Report

Once you get your interview it can be helpful to find other people who've had the same Prof, since the experiences can differ a lot. In my case I got a lot of questions about how I think the culture is going to differ from Austrian culture and how I will cope with that. Also you should already know which courses you want to take and be able to explain why these courses are helpful for your degree. When preparing for your semester abroad I would recommend not to pack too much, but remember that it is quite rainy in Sweden so try to pack shoes and jackets that are made for that kind of weather, also different layers that keep you warm under your usual clothes are helpful for the colder days. There are some social events hosted by the university that start quite early (around 3 weeks before the semester starts), so being earlier in Gothenburg is not too bad. Especially the last week before the semester starts and the first week of the semester are important regarding social events by ESN (The Erasmus network) and INTU (the student union of the business and law faculty), so I would recommend arriving one to two weeks before the semester starts.

I stayed in a student accommodation ("Olofshöjd"). Student accommodations are a great way to get to know new people if you are a sociable person. In Olofshöjd you have your own bathroom and share a kitchen with 7 other people. I got really lucky with my kitchen mates and 5/7 were also on exchange and we grew quite close. Further, there are a lot of events hosted by the community at Olofshöjd such as board game- and movie nights, Yoga and creative workshops. It is also the cheapest option by far in Gothenburg. I was biking to class and took around 15min every day, also clubs and bars and such were a similar distance. I always felt really safe, because Olofshöjd is located in a family neighborhood and it is really quiet even with your windows opened. There is a really nice park close by and it is a nice location for an outdoor jog (but there is also a small gym within the residence). I walked home a lot when it was dark and I was never scared, also most of the time other people are walking with you as well because the residence is huge and there is always someone going the same way. If budget is not a problem I would recommend a different student accommodation: Sprakskrapan. There you pay around 680€/month, but you only share the space with 5 other people and you have proper living room (and a dishwasher hehe). Also it is a little closer to the city. In either case it is important to apply as early as possible, since the rooms are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. So the earliest you are ready with your application (the normal one for the university there is no special accommodation application) the higher you are on the list.

The campus was under construction the whole semester, but apart from that it's really nice. There is a pub, open every Wednesday, that sells really cheap drinks and plays Music. The lecture halls are very similar to those at WU, with some big ones and then mostly smaller ones. The semester is split into four quarters and you have one course for one quarter (or sometimes even one for two). The lecturers are all very chill and you are always encouraged to ask questions. Overall the teaching style is similar to WU, I think getting credits is less work than in Vienna. Also I think the courses I took are more comparable to CBK courses than those later in the Bachelor at WU.

Public transport: Public transport is pretty expensive in Gothenburg, but there is a student discount for long-term tickets (1 month, 3 months or a year). With that ticket you are able to travel quite far, you can even take the ferries to the Islands. You can also use the city bike infrastructure (Styr och Ställ). With the student card you get a discount and for 225sek the first hour of cycling is free. I would recommend going by bike, because the bike lanes are really good and most of the time you are faster than if you're taking public transport. safety situation: Downtown Gothenburg is really safe and I've always felt safe walking everywhere. Some locals have told us that north of the river can be a little bit sketchy, but I've never felt unsafe wherever I was. social activities: I would recommend joining the student union. They have a special department just for internationals (INTU), they are organizing a lot events and connect you with Swedish buddies that can help you with everything regarding university and good spots in the city. Also these events are a great opportunity to meet new people. You can also follow ESN Gothenburg on Instagram. During the first two weeks they are organizing a welcome week with a lot of events, which is also great to meet people and find new spots in the city. They also have a partnership with Timetravels for reduced trips to Lappland, Norway, Iceland and other Scandinavian destinations. sport activities: The student union is hosting a run club every Monday evening and there are other university clubs that have activities such as dancing or rugby. I played field hockey at Valhalla during my semester abroad. While I had already been playing in Vienna, there were some girls that just started playing in Gothenburg, so the team is a fun mix of beginners and experts, as well as internationals and swedes. I can recommend checking the club out if you are interested in a fun team sport during your semester abroad. Just dm them on Instagram @valhallalhc.

My exchange semester has made me fall in love with Sweden, and it will not have been my last time in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is such an open, friendly and international city. Everyday the city has shown me a new face and seeing it turn from a beautiful summer, coastal city to lukewarm autumn evenings to a snowy winter was the best possible experience. Eventhough Gothenburg is on the smaller side, there were things to do every day and so many close friends I've met through this semester. I think the international community paired with Swedens nature is what made this Semester so special. To everybody considering Gothenburg: go and see for yourself! There is no better place to spend an Erasmus than here!