The Erasmus programme offers students the opportunity to complete part of their studies abroad, gaining both academic and personal experience and improving their foreign language skills. For this article, we interviewed a student whom we will refer to here as Franzi (name known to the editors), who spent an Erasmus semester in Sweden. During this time, Franzi studied at the University of Gothenburg and attended English-language courses there.

Why Sweden

The decision to go to Sweden was a conscious one. Franzi wanted to live abroad for an extended period of time and not just get to know another country as a tourist, but also experience everyday life there. Sweden was a particularly attractive destination for her, as she had never been there before and wanted to choose a country that was completely new to her. Other decisive factors were the natural environment, the social environment and the progressive education system, especially in the field of pedagogy. Since Bremen's only partner university in Sweden is located in Gothenburg, the choice of Gothenburg as her city of residence was obvious. The courses offered there, including those related to inclusive education, also played an important role in her decision.

Preparations before the internship abroad

The student found the preparations for the semester abroad to be manageable overall, but also organisationally demanding. One of the main challenges was keeping track of all the necessary steps. These included deadlines, documents and formal requirements that had to be fulfilled before the stay. The University of Gothenburg provided extensive information on English-language websites. It also supported the Erasmus programme and offered reliable assistance, responding quickly and helpfully to any questions. Difficulties arose mainly in contact with German authorities, for example when applying for a certificate of good conduct. They required the Swedish university to issue the certificate of good conduct in German, as English-language documents were not accepted. However, language barriers in general did not pose a major problem for Franzi, as English could be used as the working language in Sweden and translation aids were available. A visa or a new mobile phone contract were not necessary due to EU membership.

The accommodation situation in Gothenburg had already been sorted out before she arrived. The student was provided with furnished accommodation through the university, which made the organisation much easier. This meant that she did not have to look for accommodation herself, which would otherwise have been another organisational factor.

Everyday life at university

Everyday life at the University of Gothenburg was very different from everyday life at the University of Bremen. The semester is divided into four quarters. Each course was worth at least 7.5 credit points and lasted a maximum of two quarters. As a result, Franzi only had to attend university one day a week during her first few weeks there. However, she was given more homework. Franzi really appreciated the communication with the lecturers. Compared to what Franzi was used to in Bremen, students and lecturers interacted more on an equal footing, which created a very pleasant working atmosphere. Franzi was somewhat surprised that no course was taught by just one person, but that a different person taught each week in some cases. Franzi described her internship at a Swedish primary school as particularly challenging, especially the direct exchange with colleagues and pupils in English. Ultimately, however, she found the internship very rewarding, if only from a linguistic point of view. As the courses Franzi took were mainly attended by Erasmus students, it was easier for her to meet new people. After the courses, they would meet up in the university cafeteria or do something together in the city. There is no traditional canteen at the University of Gothenburg.

Everyday life alongside her studies

Thanks to the way her studies were structured, Franzi also had time for activities in the Gothenburg area or trips to the north to see the Northern Lights. She spent part of her holiday on the archipelago islands, which were easily accessible by public transport. She also celebrated Midsummer there with friends. Midsummer is the name given to the celebrations surrounding the summer solstice, which are celebrated extensively in Sweden. It was one of the highlights of her stay abroad.

Conclusion

Franzi's initial intention to break out of her comfort zone during her stay in Sweden and not only to holiday there but also to gain cultural insights proved to be a complete success. Franzi gained first-hand insights into the Swedish education system and everyday life at a Swedish university. She could always rely on the help of her contacts from the Erasmus programme. Finally, Franzi emphasised that she would recommend the Erasmus programme to anyone who feels the desire and need to study in another country.

We are David and Felix and we are studying to become primary school teachers at the University of Bremen. We are majoring in German and general studies, and minoring in mathematics. Franzi is one of our fellow students, and we also have a soft spot for unknown places and cultures. We knew that Franzi had spent a semester in Sweden and asked her if we could interview her about it. Franzi agreed.

Further information on Erasmus studies: www.uni-bremen.de/fb-10/internationales/outgoing

Homepage of the University of Gothenburg: www.gu.se/en