The exchange beat Luka’s expectations
What made you choose the University of Borås for your exchange semester?
“I saw it on Instagram, and it looked amazing to me. Everyone seemed to accomplish so much here. I talked to a student from Ljubljana who had done an exchange here, and he confirmed that impression. I knew from pictures online that you had a lot of knitting and weaving machine facilities – it looked like you could do everything here.”
How would you describe the Swedish School of Textiles to someone who’s never been here?
“Like, a place where you can – how to say – actually create what you envision with almost no obstacles, because there are so many machines and labs that help you work and produce what you want. It’s a very nice and kind environment – everyone is very helpful. There’s also a layer of coziness, as you can stay here until midnight. Of course, there’s a risk of overworking, but if you really enjoy it, it’s a great opportunity.I think it’s even better than I imagined. I was shocked by how big the school is and how many labs you have here. It really surprised me.”
How does studying here compare to back home?
“In Ljubljana, the major difference is that we have seven courses per semester, all taught at the same time, so you can’t really commit to the process of one assignment. Here, we have one course at a time, and you can give your full attention to it. I feel like you can reach what you want to reach. It feels freer – your supervisors and teachers lead you toward what you envision.”
Which course or project has been your favourite so far, and why?
“I especially enjoyed the course Design Basic 3: Body, Dress and Nature, where we collaborated with Peak Performance, a brand for functional sportswear. In short, we had to create an insulated garment for a specific target group and think about the body in any way we wanted – where the body gets cold, hot, or how it moves. It made me think differently about the whole process of creating a garment.”
In your opinion, why should someone study Fashion Design at the Swedish School of Textiles?
“Like I said, I feel like you have endless possibilities here. I love how the school pushes you to innovate in textiles. Of course, you learn the basics and techniques, but then you can use those to create your own way.
And the labs – the school has so many labs, and you can create something that you’ve never seen before. As an exchange student, it’s a bit tricky since we don’t have many courses connected to the labs like weaving and knitting, but we do have access to the printing lab, which has let me experiment. And of course, you can do a lot in the sewing technology labs.
Before I came here, I expected to knit as crazy – that didn’t quite happen, but I’m not disappointed. I’m happy with the labs I do have access to. I’m planning to apply for a Master’s here, so I feel calm.”
What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school?
“At the beginning of the semester, I was happy that all the other Erasmus students were eager to hang out and do things together. After the Orientation Days, we went out to eat and hit the pubs. We’ve been hiking and walking a lot. Throughout the exchange, I’ve gotten to know more Swedes and my classmates. It’s also nice to visit Gothenburg since it’s not that far away. In Borås, the nature is beautiful, especially if you’re into hiking.”
What advice would you give to students considering an exchange in Borås?
“If you are coming in winter, bring a lot of warm clothes – and hiking shoes! Everyone will want to hike, and you risk being left out otherwise.
As for the school, be amazed by the size of it. Bring everything you might need for sewing and design – it’s better to bring an extra suitcase just in case. I’d also recommend applying for housing at Simonsland. Most of my friends live there, so it’s easy to always hang out. Plus, it’s close to the school.
For those coming from Slovenia and the Balkan region, clubbing and partying until late is a big part of our culture. Here, everything opens at 22:00 and closes at 03:00 – if you are lucky – which was kind of a culture shock for me.”
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of your exchange here?
“I feel like going on exchange helps you grow as a person. I opened up more here – in Slovenia, I was more shy and introverted. It wasn’t that I was pushed into it, it just happened naturally. That’s been helpful, especially when studying Fashion Design. The whole experience is rewarding for the future, and all the connections you make are valuable.”
Text and photo: Gustav Kibe
Published: 2025-05-16