What to expect at Chalmers: A Guide

Are you preparing for an exciting exchange adventure at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden? As you embark on your exchange program, it’s natural to feel nervous and anxious about the journey ahead. To help ease your nerves and ensure a smooth transition, I have written this guide to give you an insight into what you can expect at Chalmers.

Academics 

Chalmers University is renowned for its academic excellence. At Chalmers the academic year is divided into two semesters and each semester has two study periods. Typically, students take 2 courses each study period (you must take 30 credits per semester), but feel free to take more if you want. There is no bell curve at Chalmers – woohoo, but you will need a minimum number of points to pass the course. This can be 40 or 50 points depending on the course you take. Some courses also require you to pass the final exam regardless of whether you have accumulated enough points already through assignments and project work before the final exam.

At Chalmers, expect a participatory approach to education. Lectures are interactive, encouraging active participation and open discussions. Almost all if not all courses will involve group work and projects. During my time at Chalmers, I got the opportunity to site visit AstraZeneca, and learned how to culture cells and 3D print tissue cartilage at Sahlgrenska University Hospital (through the course KPO065). My SSY115 course prof also gave us an opportunity to attend the Vitalis conference 2023, largest eHealth event in Scandinavia, however I had prior commitments and couldn’t make it to the conference as it was outside class hours. I highly recommend you embrace any academic opportunity you get at Chalmers.

Campus Life

At campus you can expect to find a diverse mix of students from all the corners of the globe, creating a dynamic and multicultural environment. There are a wide variety of student organizations, clubs, and societies that cater to a wide range of interests from sports to entrepreneurship to hosting annual parties. Engaging in extracurricular activities will give you the opportunity to make lifelong friendships.

Do note that if you want to join a Chalmers club or society you may be required to pay a fee. I joined the Chalmers BadmintonKlubb, they give everyone one free trial session, but for the rest I was supposed to make a payment for each session (I had to open a paypal account with my Swedish phone number). You can also become a Chalmers Idrottssällskap (CIS) member if you would like.

Cultural Experiences

Swedish culture values equality, sustainability, and work-life balance. Embrace the concept of “fika,” regular coffee breaks with your friends or groupmates, which serve as opportunities to socialize and connect with others. Explore Swedish traditions such as Fettisdagen in which Selma is eaten as a last celebratory feast before the Christian fasting period of Lent and Walpurgis Night/Valborg, “last day of April”, a traditional spring celebration in Sweden which includes bonfires and songs to welcome spring. I also highly recommend you attend the Chalmers Cortège, an annual carnival parade held on Walpurgis Night that have different carriages that depict significant events since the previous parade in a satirical and comic way.

Food

There are a wide variety of options available for food on campus. You can download the Chalmers Studentkår app to see the different eateries on campus and the weekly menu offered by the eatery. The price for each eatery is the same and students get a discount. I would mostly eat at the Kårrestaurangen (it is like a cafeteria) and Express at Kårhus (Student Union building). At the Kårrestaurangen a sit-down meal costs 70 SEK and includes a main dish (choice between vegan, fish, and meat), a side salad, bread, a drink, and coffee. Occasionally the canteen also serves fresh cookies and cakes that you can enjoy with your coffee as fika. Express is takeaway only and a cheaper option if you are in a hurry. If you want cutlery with your takeaway meals, don’t forget to select the “bestick” option from the kiosk.

My Favorite places to kill time between classes at campus were:

• The Chalmers Bibliotek (AKA Chalmers Main Library)
• The first floor (the floor above the ground floor) of the Chalmers Kårhus (Student Union Building)
• “the shelf” at the Kemi Building (Chemistry Building)
• Architecture and Civil Engineering Library
• Benches outside everywhere on campus during May and June