Fika with us
A fika is a very Swedish custom that basically means that you take a break from your activity to have a cup of coffee or tea and maybe eat something sweet. In Fika with us we are inviting you to join us for a fika and listen to different topics regarding international student life at Linköping University (LiU).
Listen on:
Episodes

Aug 1, 2026
Aug 1, 2026
18 min
What’s it like to study Statistics and Machine Learning in Sweden?
In this episode of Fika with us, we talk with Proksh, a Master’s student in the Statistics and Machine Learning programme at Linköping University. He shares his experience of studying in Sweden, what the programme is like, and how it feels to adapt to a new academic and cultural environment.
We talk about the challenges and opportunities of studying a technical field abroad, student life at LiU, and what surprised him most about the Swedish way of learning.
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
Participants: Proksh Proksh and Nike Johansson.

May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
39 min
In this episode of Fika with us, we talk with Stien, a student in the International Master’s Programme in Outdoor and Sustainability Education at Linköping University.
Since we both enjoy spending time outside, we share some of our favourite outdoor spots around Linköping and our best tips for exploring the area. From peaceful nature escapes to easy weekend adventures, this episode is full of ideas if you want to make the most of your time here.
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
Participants: Stien Naets and Nike Johansson.

Apr 1, 2026
Apr 1, 2026
19 min
What’s it like to move from China to Sweden to study design?
In this episode of Fika with us, we talk with Ren, a design student at Linköping University, about the journey of becoming an international student in Sweden.
Ren shares their experience of adapting to a new culture, the differences between studying in China and Sweden, and what it’s been like to start a new chapter as a design student at LiU.
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
Participants: Mengjia Ren and Nike Johansson.

Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
24 min
What’s it like to study design as an international student in Sweden?
In this episode of Fika with us, we sit down with Natalia, a Master’s student in Design at Linköping University, specialising in Visual Media Design. We talk about what the programme is really like, from studio projects and interactive visual environments to working across disciplines and campuses.
Natalia shares her experience of adapting to the Swedish education system, the balance between independence and collaboration, and how informal the relationship with teachers can be. We also get into student life in Linköping and Norrköping and navigating the social side of studying abroad.
If you’re curious about design, immersive media, or what it’s actually like to be an international student at LiU, this episode is for you.
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
Participants: Natalia Maira Cunha and Nike Johansson.

Feb 1, 2026
Feb 1, 2026
26 min
What is it really like to be an international student at Linköping University? Beyond the brochures, packing lists, and welcome emails?
In this episode of Fika with us, we sit down with Themis, an international student at LiU, to talk about the things they wish they had known before starting their studies in Sweden. Themis shares honest reflections regarding stereotypes about Sweden; From everyday student life and Swedish habits to culture shocks, small surprises, and practical tips that make settling in easier.
We talk about navigating student life, adapting to a new culture, and learning those lessons you only really understand once you’re here. Whether you’re already studying at LiU, planning to apply, or just curious about life as an international student in Sweden, this episode offers useful insights and relatable experiences to help you feel a little more prepared.
Resources for international students:
Studenthälsa.se - your portal to student health
Support and contact on LiUnet
All you need to know about studying at LiU
Student Health Care at LiU
These are just a few places to find help, don´t hesitate to contact the the university if you have any questions!
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
Participants: Themis Bokini and Nike Johansson.

Nov 1, 2025
Nov 1, 2025
2 min
In this episode, you’ll meet the new host, Nike, who’s in her third year of the bachelor’s program in Communication, Society, Media Production (KSM) at Linköping University. She shares her background and what’s coming up in the podcast this season.
Throughout the year, Nike will talk with both current students and university staff about life during and after LiU – from study tips and student engagement to what it really feels like to be a university student.
Tune in for insights into student life, inspiration for your own studies, or a bit of nostalgia if you’ve already graduated.
📬 Have a topic you’d like us to cover – or want to share your own LiU story? Get in touch via email: nike.johansson@liu.se
For more information:
LiU´s other podcasts in english
All you need to know about studying at LiU
Student life at LiU
Participants: Nike Johansson.

Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
15 min
This episode of Fika with us is about the various applications and websites that are important in the day to day student life Linkoping University. It helps give insight on the functions of each of these websites and applications and how to navigate your way through them.
Participants: Chelsea Draru Deborah and Fatima Abdullahi-Muhammed.

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
57 min
What does “design” really mean — and how do sustainability, creativity, and research all come together in one programme? In this episode, we sit down with Kacper Brach, a first-year student from Poland in Linköping University’s Master’s in Design, specializing in the Sustainable Design track.
Kacper shares his journey from Poland to Sweden, and we talk about what it’s like to study design in an international, interdisciplinary environment. He explains the different tracks in the programme, what sustainable design actually involves, and how his own perspective on design has evolved. We also touch on creativity, climate challenges, cross-campus studying, and balancing inspiration with deadlines.
Whether you’re curious about studying design, passionate about sustainability, or just want to hear how art, technology, and society can come together — this one’s for you.
Participants: Kacper Brach and Bartosz Likoński.

May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
45 min
What’s it like to move across the world to study a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field? In this episode, we sit down with Clara (Yun-Tsz Tsai), a first-year student in the Computational Social Science Master’s programme at Linköping University.
Clara shares her story of growing up in Taiwan, why she chose to study in Sweden, and how she’s navigating life in a new country. We dive into what Computational Social Science actually is, the types of students the programme attracts, and how sociology meets data science to tackle real-world problems. Clara also opens up about cultural differences, managing the academic workload, and future career dreams.
Whether you’re curious about studying abroad, interested in social data, or just love a good fika story — you won’t want to miss this conversation!
Links from the episode:
Read Clara’s blog posts on the LiU International Student Blog
Participants: Clara (Yun-Tsz Tsai) and Bartosz Likoński.

Apr 9, 2025
Apr 9, 2025
17 min
Finding a place to live can be one of the most stressful parts of moving to a new country. What if a fellow student built a tool to make it easier?
In this episode, we sit down with Aditya Upadhyay, a first-year Aeronautical Engineering student from India, to talk about his experience of moving to Sweden and the challenges of finding student accommodation. Aditya shares how his own housing struggles inspired him to create a Python-based tool that monitors and alerts students about available accommodation options in Linköping.
We dive into how the tool works, how it’s already helping others, and his vision for expanding it further. Along the way, Aditya reflects on Swedish culture, settling into a new environment, and — of course — shares his favorite fika.
Whether you're a newly admitted student or just curious about how tech can solve real-life problems, this episode shows how a bit of code can go a long way.
Links from the episode:
Accommodation Direct Monitor tool on GitHub
Read more about Direct Monitor tool on LinkedIn
Participants: Aditya Upadhyay and Bartosz Likoński.

Podcasts from Linköping University
Listen while out running or relaxing at home. Our podcasts take up interesting subjects from both researchers and students at Linköping University. It's a good idea to subscribe to our channels, to make sure that you don't miss the release of new episodes.
Podcasts from LiU

