Written by Kelsey
11 Oct 2025
When you first move to a new country, the thought of being an outsider can be nerve-racking. But with Gothenburg’s robust international community, kind Swedish locals, and intentional events embracing diversity, I felt right at home.
University Events & Making Friends
One of the first events I attended was the University of Gothenburg International Centre’s Study Culture and Living in Sweden event. The hall was packed full of international students from almost every continent, which made it abundantly clear that I wasn’t alone. There were hundreds of other students who were in my shoes, experiencing Sweden for the first time. The presenters established that our diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives are valuable. You can learn so much when you broaden your horizons and meet new people from all over the world! The staff also provided useful resources and contacts, letting us know that there is always someone there to help. I felt appreciated and welcomed by the university, a feeling that only grew as I participated in their welcome events– from student organization fairs to city tours.
My first month in Sweden was packed full with social activities planned by various groups on campus. Inspark was a semester kickoff, hosted in collaboration with my programme’s student group and student union, Gõta Studentkår. The events were super fun and engaging, offering great opportunities to explore the city and make new friends! Some of my favorites were island hopping, paddan party (a boat trip through Gothenburg’s canals), bowling night, and hiking around a lake called Deljsön. I met so many amazing people through these activities, both international students and Swedish locals.
Before I moved to Sweden, I had only heard the stereotypes of Swedes being cold, distant, and reserved, at least at first. Thankfully, this hasn’t been my experience at all. The Swedes in my programme have been nothing but kind and friendly. They’re always happy to give me recommendations, teach me fun new Swedish words, and participate in activities and hangouts with international students. Though you might be intimidated to start a conversation with a Swedish classmate, I’m sure you’ll be happy you did!
A Warm Welcome From the City and Business Community
The fun didn’t stop after the first month! In early October, Unimeet Gothenburg – an organization connecting international students and the business community– and the City of Gothenburg hosted a welcome event for international students at Gothenburg City Hall, also known as Börsen. The building is not normally open to the public, so this was a rare opportunity to explore the gorgeous building, see the City Council Chamber, enjoy a delicious (and completely vegetarian!) buffet, and meet the mayor. Over 400 international students from Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg attended.
While many students might have signed up for the free food, I was motivated by my love of mayors (which I’ll admit is a little weird!). I’m a political science nerd with a soft spot for local government, so I think mayors are some of the coolest elected officials out there. So this was the perfect event for me!
The night lived up to my expectations! After arriving at City Hall, we were warmly greeted as honoured guests by the Lord Mayor, Aslan Akbas. The Head of Trade and Industry Group at Göteborg & Co, Malin Engelbrecht, also welcomed us to the event. In their speeches, they both highlighted the value the international community brings to Gothenburg. They even encouraged us to consider working here after our studies, as Gothenburg is quickly becoming a hub for business innovation.
Beyond academia, the city and the business community were also welcoming us with open arms! They clearly invested time and resources into planning such a thoughtful event, specifically to welcome international students to the city. After moving to a new country, it’s reassuring to hear that you’re not only encouraged to study in Gothenburg, but also to live, work, and build a future here.
So… is Sweden a welcoming country for international students?
In my experience, I’ve felt nothing but welcome and supported in Sweden. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are hundreds of other international students who are going through the same big transition of moving to Sweden. You can bond over shared struggles to figure out everything from bureaucratic documents to where to buy apartment essentials. And almost everyone is looking to make new friends, especially at the start of the semester.
I’d highly recommend attending all the social events you can! You can stay up-to-date with events by joining group chats, following social media accounts, and subscribing to email newsletters. Take advantage of all the fun events planned by university departments, student clubs and unions, and your programme’s student group. While your social battery might be drained, it’s worth it to start building your circle. Once you attend a few of the events, you’ll probably be able to plan your own hangouts with your new friends.
I’d even venture to say that Swedish people are welcoming, despite the stereotype. Everyone, from Swedish agency employees to store cashiers, has been helpful and kind to me. Just remember Swedes are normal people too! Don’t assume the worst. Just because they might already have friends doesn’t mean they don’t want to talk to you. Initiating conversations and inviting Swedes to hangouts was a little scary at first, but it made my experiences so much better. If you’re in Sweden, you might as well immerse yourself in Swedish culture. There’s no better way to do that than making Swedish friends!
While it’s totally understandable to be nervous about feeling welcome, I hope this eases your fears. With a little effort to attend events and start conversations, you’ll have lots of opportunities to make friends. So far, I’ve felt welcomed by the university, international community, and city, and I’m sure you will too!
