Växjö Universitet

Of course I have to begin with the student pubs which have the cheapest beer and are very nice too! They are called Stalllarna and Sivans, I personally prefer Stallarna. This pub has two floors, downstairs there is a dansfloor and louder music. Upstairs it is more a brown bar and you can sit and talk, the music is less loud and more alternative (bands, sometimes live music!). Upstairs you can smoke, downstairs not. The Irish pub O'Keeffes is not to be missed! Very nice to have a chat and enjoy a foreign (your home countries?) beer or a simple Guinness or Kilkenny. Then there are some hip clubs called Grace, Time and Café Momento if you want to have a real night out these are the places to see and be seen. For a coffee I would recommend Espresso bar and P.M. The event that can not be missed is Allkår! This is a 4 day festival in May, it means partying, big BBQ's, concerts, Bränball (playing softball and drinking wine!), Olimpic games, Music, and a lot of queuing (but don't look up to that, it's fun!). Then there is midsommer, this is a huge party which is a great Swedish tradition! The people dance around a decorated tree, sing and celebrate the summer! This event finds place on the day that the year is in half, so somewhere in June. There are a lot of traditions in Sweden and Växjö and if you come to study at this university you will receive a booklet containing all needed information including all events while you're there!

Växjö is not a big city at all, but it has beautiful places to visit like the Swedish Glass Museum which represent the tradition of glass blowing and development, kronobergs ruins, the castle close to the university, g the lakes around the university...Besides Växjö city and Småland area, Sweden has a lot to offer. The main cities like Malmö (with the Oresund bridge which joins both countries, Denmark and Sweden), Gothenborg and Stockholm show the different landscapes that we can find in Sweden according to the different seasons. In general, there is nothing to miss in this country, try the food, the so common "Saunas", all the cultures that are mixed....The night life much different from south Europe. A new experience

On campus there are two clubs to go to. And they are great! Off campus there is one more studentpub. A lot of international students go there, because they live so close to it. Next to that, you have your regular clubs and bars in Växjö. It's not a very big town (75.000 inhab.), but there are a handful of nice clubs/bars to go to. The university is very active in organising parties and events (among which a visit to Stockholm) for international students, so you will not be bored.

As I was on campus I did not have to travel much except to the swimming hall which was a short bike ride away. I loved jogging/rollerblading/cycling round the lake when I thought I'd better do some exercise-weather permitting of course! Sivans was a great place to meet friends on a Wednesday night and Stallanas on a Friday. Town nightlife wasn't up to much but flights to Stockholme are cheap and well worth the effort if you like the city life.

The best night spot is Stallarna, a student's pub. It is not something special but the atmosphere is really familiar because most of the students are going there. I liked a lot a cafe in the center called Mila's. The decoration is different from teh other cafe's and it has as well great deserts. A place that you should not miss when the weather is warm enough is Evedal. You can swim on the alke at this place.

Quite apart from the campus 'retreats' in town I enjoyed all the bars but if you can find it (opposite the train station above the hill- in a basement) the Wexio Rugby club bar has the cheapest alcohol in the city and a really great crowd who always welcomed a new face and where very pleased to interact with international students. Also might educate you about rubgy whilst your their.