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Newsletter for international students at the University of Gothenburg
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Hej!
November is here, and as usual it's getting darker earlier and earlier each day. Turning back the clock by one hour has certainly not helped, but fortunately there are still some colourful leaves to brighten the day and soon we will have Christmas decorations to brighten the evening. We'd also like to remind you about Gustav Adolfsdagen on Wednesday, 6 November, when we eat King Gustav II Adolf's pastries in Gothenburg. They sometimes sell out, so if you want to ensure that you get one, we recommend booking in advance. There will also be many Christmas markets starting in November, and don't miss out on ice skating as many of the city's ice skating rinks will open for the season this month. Keep an eye out for ice and slippery leaves, don't forget your safety reflectors, switch to winter tires (if you have a car, but they're also available for bicycles), stay safe, and hope to see you at our future events! Best wishes, Nils and Sara
International Centre |
If you have comments or feedback about the newsletter that you would like to share with us, please write to us at welcomeservices@gu.se If you have finished your studies at the University of Gothenburg or no longer wish to receive this newsletter for other reasons, you can cancel your subscription here. | Recording of lecture Dealing with the Swedish winterDid you miss our lecture on Dealing with the Swedish winter last week? The event was recorded and is available for streaming on GU play until 5 November. You can also download the presentation slides from GU Play and read up on how the darkness and winter affects your body and mind, and what activities you can do during the winter months to stay active, as well as where to buy winter clothes in second hand shops. | Friday lunch webinars on Generative AI with ASK,
7 November – 5 DecemberTogether with the Unit of Academic Language (ASK), we organise a series of five webinars on generative AI and university studies. | | | Time: All lectures are held from 12:15-13:00.
Place: Online via Zoom. | | | Discover Europe on EUTOPIA Day, 10 NovemberThe University of Gothenburg, in collaboration with the university alliance EUTOPIA, welcomes all students to EUTOPIA Day – an afternoon in the European spirit. Come and enjoy finger food, alcohol-free drinks, and a fun quiz with fabulous prizes at our Mini Fair. You will also get the chance to discover the many opportunities to engage and learn all around Europe with our EUTOPIA-partners. Note: The last day to register is 4 November. | Career Day, 12 NovemberUnimeet Career Day is a tailor-made event for international students and Phd-students at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg. No matter what field you’re studying, the inspiring seminars and workshops will offer fresh insights, practical tools, and new perspectives to help you shape your future career path. 👉 Explore seminars and workshops that offer practical tips and inspiration for your career journey. For example; how to tailor your CV & Cover Letter, how to Boost your Career Resilience when times are tough and how to build your own network. (See the full program) 📸 Get a free professional headshot for your CV or LinkedIn profile. (limited spots, booked on-site). 📝 Receive personal short CV feedback from a career coach (limited spots, booked on-site). Bring your CV – either digital or on paper! 🤝 Meet employers and organizations who want to connect with international talent like you! Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and get inspired for your future career! | Date: Wednesday, 12 November
Time: 14:00-17:30
Location: Chalmers Conference Centre, Chalmersplatsen 1, 412 58 Göteborg P.S.: Please note that by registering to this event, you have committed yourself to attending. If you are no longer able to make it, it is important that you cancel your attendance before 10 November by emailing unimeet@goteborg.com | | | | | | | Lecture: Stress & structure, 18 NovemberDo you feel like the world around you are moving ever faster and you're struggling to keep up? Do you feel that there is not enough time reality has gone insane? In short, are you feeling stressed? In this lecture, we will learn more about stress and structure. We will focus on how to organize and structure your day to reduce stress levels and promote well-being. We’ll discuss the role of routines, time management, organization, and setting boundaries in creating a balanced and supportive environment. The aim is promote long-term sustainability.
After the lecture, we will serve fika in the corridor outside the lecture hall and you will have the opportunity to mingle and to talk to our lecturer Rebecca, registered psychologist at Feelgood. After the lecture, we will serve fika in the corridor outside the lecture hall and you will have the opportunity to mingle and to talk to our lecturer Rebecca, psychologist at Feelgood. Programme: - Lecture: Stress & structure, 45-60min
Date: Tuesday, 18 November
Time: 17:00-18:30
Location: Lingsalen, Studenternas Hus (Götabergsgatan 17)
Please note that this is an on-site only event!
| Excursion to Tjolöholm Christmas market, 22 NovemberWe are planning an excursion to the Christmas market at Tjolöholm, complete with a guided tour of the Tjolöholm mansion. Right now we're working on the programme and chartering the buses which will take us there. Once everything is in place and the programme finalised, we'll send out invitations. | Play: Communion by Lars NorénCommunion is one of the final plays written by Lars Norén and previously unperformed. In raw yet lyrical language, Norén delves into the fragile shifting terrain of human connection, at once harsh and tender. Directed by Eva Dahlman, one of Sweden’s most experienced theatre directors, known for her acclaimed productions of both classics and contemporary drama. It is performed in Swedish, but with subtitles in English on selected dates. | | | Christmas marketsThere are lots of Christmas markets in Gothenburg that already start in November, and rather than writing about each and everyone here, we thought we'd include a link to the Christmas market guide on Goteborg.com. | | | | | | | Gothenburg in the autumnHave a look at Gothenburg.com website for highlights of what to see and do in Gothenburg during the cozy season. If you want more tips and ideas, why not chat with them online and ask them for some recommendations based on your interests? Also, don't forget to visit the Botanical Garden and other nature areas before all the colourful leaves disappear! This photo was taken in the Korean section of the Botanical Garden, near the Japanese dell. | | | Image: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se
| Autumn and winter foodDuring our lecture on Dealing with the Swedish winter last year, we got a question about what kind of food is recommended during the coming dark and cold winter months. So we thought, we would share some of our personal tips and favourites with you! Start by creating a delicious, autumn-inspired soup using your leftover Halloween pumpkin! Pumpkin soup is both nutritious and flavorful, and it's an excellent way to reduce waste. Simply roast the pumpkin, blend it with vegetable broth, and season with warming spices like nutmeg and cinnamon for a cozy meal. For dessert, explore a traditional Swedish favorite: rosehip or blueberry soup. Both are made from berries abundant in Swedish forests, so you can combine cooking with a forest hike! Simply boil rosehips or blueberries with a bit of sugar, then strain and serve warm or chilled. These dessert soups are perfect for a sweet, vitamin-rich finish to a fall meal.
Recipe for rosehip soup on Swedishfood.com
Recipe for blueberry soup on Swedishfood.com Apples, apples everywhere! Sweden really does produce a lot of apples, but what to do with them all? Well, there's apple juice, apple cider, dried apple rings, äppelmos (apple sauce) and apple chutney — but perhaps the best of them all is the apple crumble pie. For those in Gothenburg looking to harvest, here’s a map of local spots where you can pick apples: Gothenburg Fruit Orchards Map. Bake some Smulpaj (crumble pie) with apples or berries (Recipe on totallyswedish.com) Make some Risgrysgröt (christmas porridge), a special porridge especially enjoyed during the winter (Recipe on Swedishfood.com) Find more recipes for Höstmat (autum food) or vintermat (winter food) online, for example here
If you cook or bake together with friends, it will be double the fun! Just make sure that you keep track of who added which ingredients already and keep in mind the saying: Ju fler kockar desto sämre soppa (English: Too many cooks spoil the broth)... | Surviving the dark winter
We like the sunshine and so do our bodies. As we head into winter and the hours of daylight decrease, the lack of sunshine may cause a Vitamin D deficiency and/or a winter depression.
| Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)Actually, more than 12 million people in Northern Europe suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) during autumn and winter. In Sweden, it’s commonly known as vinterdepression. Symptoms such as being extremely tired, sleeping for long hours, having sugar cravings, problems with concentration and lack of interest are common during these months.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you can reach out to Feelgood (student health care provider at GU) to get advice and help. |
| | | | Vitamin DIn order for you to receive an equivalent amount of Vitamin D just from food that corresponds to 30 min of sunlight, you would have to eat 35 eggs or drink 13 litres of milk per day! Since that is neither necessarily healthy nor vegan or budget friendly, we would recommend taking Vitamin D supplements that you can buy at any pharmacy in forms of pills or even oil. Keep in mind, though, the Vitamin D in too large doses is bad for you. Ask your local pharmacists for the detailed dosage, and also potential allergies! But equally if not more important: Sunlight and physical activity help, so remember to savour the daylight and head out for at least 20 min per day. We hope for you to stay healthy and happy! | Dressing for wintry outdoors | Now that you know that you need to go outside in the wintertime, we want you to prepare for as best as we can. And although temperatures in Gothenburg typically don’t drop anywhere near as low as in the north of Sweden, the high humidity means that even comparatively warm winter temperatures can sometimes feel very cold indeed. Fortunately, there is a trick to staying warm. It even has a name: Trelagersprincipen (the principle of three layers).
| - Base layer: The layer closest to your skin. It consists of tights or long underpants, and a long-sleeved undershirt. Avoid cotton in your base layer, as it absorbs water and then dries slowly whilst cooling you down. Cotton looses it's insulating properties, so it's ability to keep you warm, when it gets wet, for instance when you start sweating. Wool, on the other hand, is a perfect choice as it will keep you warm even when wet.
- Middle layer: Insulates your body and keeps you warm. This layer consists of your trousers, shirt/t-shirt or equivalent, and any number of sweaters. Wool, fleece, down, and synthetic materials work well here.
- Outer layer: Protects you from wind and rain. This layer typically consists of a jacket and a pair of trousers, boots, gloves, scarf, and a hat. Boots with a thick outer sole work best, as they insulate your feet well from the cold ground. A hat or cap that covers your ears, maybe in combination with a scarf, is highly recommended.
Note: Remember to wear a reflector to make yourself visible in the dark! | | | | | Pro-tip:
Remember, clothes don’t generate heat; your body does! Dressing in layers means that you can always add and remove layers to keep you comfortably warm. But don’t let yourself get too warm, because once you start to sweat you will start to freeze. Lastly, if your feet are cold, a thin pair of liner socks with a thicker pair of socks on top makes all the difference. The same layer principle may be adopted for keeping your hands and head warm as well! | | | Dressing for the wintry indoors | People moving to Sweden are often surprised at how cold the indoors are. 20C is fairly common and it may temporarily drop to 17-18C if there is a sudden drop of temperature outside, as it takes a while for the centrally operated heating systems to adjust. However, the temperature in your flat should not permanently be below 18C. To stay warm indoors use the same principle of layers we wrote about earlier; layers of sweaters and socks or slippers. | | | The regular pro-tip:
Drawing your curtains when you go to bed is a good idea even if it is dark outside. That’s because the curtains will help block some of the cold passing through your windows from entering your room, and likewise reflect some of the warmth back into the room. However, make sure that the curtains don’t cover the radiators in your room, as much of the heat they generate will then be trapped between the curtains and the window.
| | | | | A Swedish winter favourite: Raggsockan You’ve probably seen them on a foot or two by now, the colourful knitted wool socks that show up everywhere in stores as the season turns into winter. We wear them because they´re perfect to heat cold feet and for wearing inside on cold floors (as we don’t wear shoes inside in Sweden). Did you know that the Swedish word for them (raggsocka) originates from the tradition of making the socks out of a goat’s beard: the ragg? The ragg is rather coarse but together with the wool one get a thick, durable, almost indestructible sock. In fact, back in the days they would even put it on the outside of the shoe, to give some extra insulation, protect the shoe and add extra traction to avoid slipping on icy paths. Although the tradition of using the ragg has almost disappeared entirely, we still use the word raggsocka to describe thick and warm socks. If you are interested in making your own socks, you’re just a simple internet search away from loads of kniting instructions. You can also visit one of the many yarnshops around town to find some raggsockegarn (yarn for knitting 'raggsockor). There are also many knitting café groups around town that can help you get started. Good luck! | | | The hard-core pro tip!
Feeling cold when you’re getting out of bed? Starting the day with some push-ups and sit-ups will quickly get you warm, and this daily heating routine comes with some free healthy side-effects as well! | | | Wool - a smart warm material You might not think about it, but what material your clothes are made of plays a huge role when trying to stay warm throughout the autumn and winter season in Sweden. Wool is an all-natural, renewable material that comes in many different styles, thicknesses, colours and textures, but no matter what type, all wool share the same great characteristics: - Wool can absorb a lot of moisture but still maintain its insulating properties keeping you warm.
- Wool should not be cleaned often, and never at high temperatures. It is naturally odour-resistant and unless you've spilt something on it and need to get the stains out, a good airing will usually serve in place of washing.
Wool products can be found everywhere in Sweden, and you can also make your own socks, gloves and so on by getting wool yarn. Stay warm and happy! | | | Christmas in GothenburgWe will definitely tell you more about the Christmas in Gothenburg and our Swedish traditions in our next newsletter. But we have to start already in November, with Christmas markets for instance. | Candle safetyLighting candles is very popular during the dark season in Sweden, and thus, candle safety is very important too. You probably already know that you shouldn't leave candles unattended, but did you know that värmeljus (tealights) get so hot that they leave scorch marks on wood and can even cause a fire? They should always be placed in a candle holder of some kind. | | | | Considerations when buying candles: - Consider purchasing candles that do not contain paraffin wax, as the fumes produced are harmful to humans.
- For the sake of the environment, consider buying tealights without the aluminium cup. Purpose-built glass holders are cheap and easy to come by at, for instance, second hand stores. Producing the aluminium cups is an energy-intensive process and recycling them afterwards is a hassle as you will need to loosen the wick-holder from the aluminium cup before bringing both to a re-cycling central (the metal bin at the re-cycling stations do not accept tealights).
| AdventsljusstakeEach Sunday until Christmas, starting on 30 November in 2025, Swedes will light a new candle in the adventsljusttake (Advent candleholder) until all four candles are lit. The candleholder can be made of wood or iron and decorated with almost anything (as seen in the picture). One by one, the candles are lit until finally all four are; this means that Christmas Eve (the day the Swedes celebrate Christmas) is here. The tradition to light advent candles came to Sweden in the late 1800s but it wasn’t until the 1930s that we started putting the candles into these decorative candleholders.
| | | Each Sunday until Christmas, starting on 30 November in 2025, Swedes will light a new candle in the "adventsljusttake" (Advent candleholder) until all four candles are lit. | | |
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5 easy ways to save energy - Switch off the lights when you leave the room.
- Skip the stand-by mode and unplug electronic equipment instead.
- Always use a lid when boiling water.
- Take shorter showers and save the long one for when you really need it.
- Put on an extra sweater before raising the indoor temperature.
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That is all from us today, hope you have a great November month! /International Centre, Nils and Sara |
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