Seeing fashion management from new angles

What made you choose the University of Borås for your exchange semester?

“For me, it was mostly a language thing – I wanted to practice Swedish and was happy to see there was a Swedish language course available. I really appreciated that. It’s also a quite well-known university. I had heard it has a good reputation for being very technical and professional, with great facilities. I wasn’t disappointed. 

I think Sweden is a good place to live in the future. The working culture seems great, people are friendly and value socializing with colleagues, the nature is beautiful, and Sweden is generally open to foreigners.”

How would you describe the Swedish School of Textiles? 

“I would say it’s very integrated into entrepreneurship and initiatives. There are a lot of other things going on in the building besides the university itself, like the Smart Textiles Showroom and the Textile Museum. 

In terms of the vibes here, people are really friendly but also very focused on their studies. I really love the energy at the Swedish School of Textiles. “

How is fashion management as a subject treated differently here compared to back home?

“Firstly, I’d say that the school here is more academic, which is reflected in the structure and focus of the courses. There’s a strong focus on trend research, how to make a business work, how to structure an idea, and bring it to life. It’s a bit more entrepreneurial, with an emphasis on supporting innovation.

My home university is a bit more product development-based with a first-hand supply focus. In Borås, the perspective is broader, and you gain insights into areas like trend research and digitalisation.”

Which course has been your favourite so far, and why?

“The Digital Transformation of Retail had an interesting perspective. It was an intense course for sure, but I really liked it. There were a lot of discussions in class, which I enjoyed, and it was a very motivating course. I also loved the academic approach, which is different from what I’m used to.

I also enjoyed The Business of Textiles and Fashion. It was a fun course, and I liked the process of coming up with a brand. The teachers encouraged us to really envision the company – how to pitch it and structure it. You were allowed to be creative and base your idea on trend prediction, and you could really imagine the company being active in the business. “

What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school?

“The great thing about living in a city the size of Borås is that even though there are fewer things to do, you can focus on what’s important: yourself and your friends. Exchange students are eager to get to know each other, and I enjoy having time dedicated to hanging out with them. There always seems to be something going on.”  

What advice would you give to students considering an exchange in Borås?

“Honestly, first of all – feel welcome to contact the International Office if you have any questions. They’re great and very available for exchange students. There’s a lot of support here.

After that: Be open and social – make friends.”

Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of your exchange here?

“Making new friends, for sure. You’re always proud of yourself when going somewhere on your own. It’s rewarding to practice your independence. I can also see that many of the people I came with have matured since the start.

I’m also happy to have experienced a new approach to education – it’s good to get different perspectives.”

What are your plans after the exchange? 

“I’ll be graduating this summer, then moving to Paris for a bit. After that, I’ll look for more permanent jobs in Brussels, since my fiancé lives there. 

I’m going to keep practicing Swedish and hopefully come back someday. My goal with this exchange was to take different classes, gain a broader perspective and to try new things. You never know how life will turn out, so you take every opportunity you can get.“

Text and photo: Gustav Kibe

Published: 2025-06-03