Erasmus Experience in Gothenburg, Sweden by Pierre

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Why did you choose to go to Gothenburg, Sweden?

Because of the university (Chalmers University of Technology).

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I stayed from August till December. I got no money because I had already been on exchange two years earlier. However, I found the living costs to be similar to those I had in the UK.

What is the student lifestyle like in Gothenburg?

Excellent, there are plenty of things going on. If you have Swedish friends they'll most likely tell you what events there are or recommend places to go to.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Gothenburg to other students?

Absolutely. It was a fantastic experience.

What is the food like?

Some of it takes a little getting used to, but generally good.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Gothenburg?

This is probably the trickiest step. It took me a couple of weeks to find accommodation even after I had arrived. There is a serious shortage of student housing. There is also a fair chance you might have to find accommodation that's a little further out and commute.

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How much does it cost to live in Gothenburg?

Not much more than living in the UK. The university also organises a whole bunch of activities for discounted prices, many of which are worth attending.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I did not take any language classes nor do I remember being offered any, though this might have been because my stay was quite short. However, Swedish people generally have a very good grasp of the English language so I was always able to get by without any problems.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Gothenburg from your city?

Low cost flights into either airports.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Gothenburg?

It generally depends on what you like doing, again, ask Swedish people who will be able to recommend places to go to. We generally ended up moving through various parts of the city going from private parties, student parties, pubs or clubs.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Gothenburg?

Generally in the Haga area or around Linnegatan.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Cant think of any, sorry. The university should be able to tell you.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Gothenburg in the future?

Make sure you don't miss out on 'afterwork' every Friday. The day ends slightly earlier and all bars have a free buffet for people who buy drinks. Some are better than others, so once again its best to ask around, but its an excellent way to get a free dinner and get to hang out with lots of people from work or uni.