From Borås to Brussels

What made you decide to go abroad for an exchange semester?

“I wanted to take a semester abroad to experience a new city and a new design approach. It was important to me to seek new input for my textile practice and have wider access to inspiration in my study city. I was very much in doubt about leaving Borås, but the Erasmus programme was so convenient that it was difficult to resist. 

I’ve lived abroad before, but I was excited to be given a social arena through my studies and have a more direct and thorough experience of a country. As I’m from Denmark and already study abroad while in Sweden, I thought it would be difficult to go further away from family, friends and my partner based in Copenhagen. But in the end, a semester goes by fast.”

Why did you choose to apply to La Cambre specifically?

“I chose La Cambre because it was an art school with many different ateliers and was also located in Brussels, which has an exciting art and design scene. La Cambre has ateliers in ceramics and scenography that I have previously worked with, so I was excited to have them more connected.”

What have been the main differences between studying at La Cambre compared to Borås?

“In La Cambre, they don’t work as much in semesters, but more in yearly design projects. This made it a bit difficult to enter in the middle of a school year, but it was also an opportunity to be thorough. However, they also have different courses during the semesters together with other studios on a weekly basis. 

I was enrolled in the first year of the bachelor’s programme, where the focused is on the universe around a self-chosen material. Here, the final product wasn't as important as the experimentation itself. There is also limited space for developing ideas at the school, so it is more encouraged to prepare this from home and “produce” at school. 

Overall, it was just very different from our school and took me quite some time to change my school habits.” 

What kind of courses and projects have you taken part in during the exchange?

“The main course throughout the semester was the “atelier” three days a week, sometimes with lectures, sometimes without. This would include weaving, knitting, felting, printing, dyeing and textile history classes.

Apart from that, I took drawing classes with other first-year students, learning to draw space and the body. I also had mandatory French lessons with other exchange students from the school. However, that wasn't enough for me to manage some of the courses in French… But luckily, my teachers found a way to substitute this with weaving classes by an alumni student, who taught me plant-based resist dyeing and weaving.”

How has the student life in Brussels been?

“Many internationals come to Brussels to live, study or work. In that regard, it really feels like the centre of Europe. And as if they are used to welcoming newcomers, it felt easy to find my place in the city. Paris, London and the other big Belgian cities are close and easy to visit!

La Cambre also takes in quite many exchange students and arranges a first Erasmus day for all, so I quickly met some in the same situation as me. From then on, it was easy to do bar nights, park days or museum visits together. There are three other art schools in Brussels, so there are always exhibitions and other initiatives to go to and meet new people.”

What has been the biggest challenge during your exchange?

“I found it difficult to come into a small class that knew each other well and be the only exchange student. It was a challenge for both students and teachers to switch to a new language, French to English. And an even bigger challenge for me to keep reminding them. 

Then I also think it was difficult to get used to the differences mentioned earlier, new teaching methods, machines and circumstances.”

What has been the most rewarding part of your exchange semester?

“It was rewarding to be at a big art school with many different art forms and talk to people with different fields of interest than mine. I learnt new ways to approach textiles and further develop my own methods. 

But also, just a new city with a different scene and new viewpoints – that is forever rewarding to me.”

Has your view of textile design changed during your time at La Cambre? If so, how?

“Hmm... I think their view on textiles wasn't as connected to the industry as in Borås, but more as an art medium or method of investigating a material. I also saw a deeper dive into a material’ history and the culture around it, so we as students built upon that. “

Has the exchange experience influenced how you think about your future studies or career?

“I’ll bring new methods of approaching textiles and my “universe” with me into my future studies and a love for life in Brussels. I look forward to seeing how the impact will be when I return to Borås.”

What advice would you give to other students thinking about going on an exchange?

“I would advise you to be mindful of both school and the city when you choose, because you need to spend a lot of time in both places”

Text: Gustav Kibe
Photo: Private profile picture and city view from Adobe Stock

Published: 2026-10-02