Mobility specification

Country:Sweden

Institution:University of Gävle

City:Gävle

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Science / Department of Botany and Zoology

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?it's alright

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?The schedule may be different every week. Subjects are very practical. The school year is divided into 4 periods instead of two semesters.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?There's IntU, specifically for international students, which runs great, voluntary events at least once a week.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:18000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?Accommodation recommended by the university, cheap but quality apartments from the city (Gavlegårdarna).

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Winter clothes and shoes.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Student discounts - ask everywhere, they usually have some.
Large secondhand shops, not just with clothes.
Sportoteket - free rental of sports equipment (skates, skis, mats, backpacks,...) https://www.gavle.se/kultur-och-fritid/idrott-och-motion/sportoteket/.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?neutral

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?For the Gävle application X-trafik, trains around Sweden SJ and Mälardalstrafik, in Stockholm SL, in Uppsala UL, and for trips north Länstrafiken Norrbotten.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?perfect

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Christmas Gävle Goat
The Goat's Table Pub (karaoke, darts, pool)
Park in the city centre
Cafe Bona in Bönan by the sea
Sätra Forest (Nature Preserve)
September Festival of Lights
Be sure to try ice skating at the rink (free), secondhands and hockey

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Stockholm as such, Uppsala, Sandviken nearby, but I definitely recommend a trip north to see the Northern Lights - Abisko, Kiruna, or Luleå are famous (you can skate on the sea here) - trains are great for these trips.

Share your best experience:Halloween at Goat's
Swimming in the sea in Bönan

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane
Train

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?The airport is a stop on the Stockholm-Arlanda train, buy train tickets from here, plus there is a surcharge for boarding and alighting here. The change at Uppsala takes only a few minutes, but in case of delays the trains don't wait for each other (however, mostly fine).

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?No need for cash, you can pay by card everywhere. Definitely good winter clothes, swimwear for the sauna and the sea - but everything can be bought/rented locally without any problems.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?I regret nothing🩶