Hi everyone! It’s Carolina again, and today I’m here to tell you a little more about the Introduction Weeks in Sweden and my experience with ESN!

But if you’re not from Sweden, you might be wondering what exactly is an Introduction Week, and what is ESN? At the beginning of every semester, student associations organise what is known as Introduction Weeks. It’s a series of events and activities to welcome new students, help them get to know each other, and give them a chance to make friends before classes start officially.

Photo: Benjamin Råsenfeldt

Student associations are a big part of university life in Sweden! In Kalmar, students can join different associations. They can be home associations (connected to specific fields of study or faculties) or interest associations, like ESN! These associations organise social events, parties, activities, and other initiatives throughout the semester, which is a great opportunity for students to connect with people who share similar interests and experiences.

And that’s where ESN comes in! ESN stands for the Erasmus Student Network, a student interest organisation that supports and connects international students, exchange students, and Swedes interested in meeting people from different backgrounds.

ESN makes it easier to feel at home in a new country, and it’s where you’ll find your people as an international student! They were the first people I’ve met in Sweden and it was during the Introduction Weeks organised by them that I had the chance of meeting some of my closest friends at university (:

Photo: Benjamin Råsenfeldt

What also made this experience so valuable for me is that I had the chance to meet lots of international students that were in a similar situation to mine: away from their families, in a new, unfamiliar country. You bond very fast in these circumstances!

ESN and all other student associations are organised by students for students. So they know exactly how it’s like to go through what you’re going through when you’re a newbie! Everyone on the board of ESN was incredible and did a great job in making us feel welcome.  

During my introduction weeks (autumn semester 2026), we had the chance of going to several different fun events! ESN took us on a city tour the very first day. They showed us the main touristic spots and where to go for groceries, shopping and partying! We also had a barbecue by the castle at Kalmarsundsparken, where we ate hot dogs and played games. We also had the End of Summer Batch Party, a huge party organised by Linnékåren, the student union at Linnaeus University (it was a great opportunity for me to meet other swedes outside of ESN and make new friends).

Photo: Benjamin Råsenfeldt

Another highlight was the crayfish party held by ESN, a traditional Swedish party where people gather to eat crayfish, sing songs and enjoy each other’s company! The introduction weeks ended with the Green Party, where we newbies were finally allowed to wear our green ESN overalls for the first time!

Photo: Benjamin Råsenfeldt

And one of the best parts was that all of these events were free! I recommend every international student to get involved with ESN. They do a great job in welcoming you, introducing you to Swedish culture and offering support when you need it. If you’re ever unsure about something or have questions about how things work in Sweden, even if it’s not about student life, ESN can help you! They’re students who have been through the exact same thing you’re experiencing and they have all the tips.

Photo: Benjamin Råsenfeldt

Going to events during introduction weeks with ESN meant meeting my first friends here in Sweden and it was the first step to start making Kalmar feel like home. I’m so grateful for all the people I’ve met and all the memories we’re creating together! These are memories I’m gonna keep for the rest of my life.

So if you’re a new student in Sweden, I really recommed getting involved with student associations and participating in the introduction weeks. I’m sure you’ll meet a lot of special people and make friendships that will follow you along your studies in Sweden. (: