Overalls – What are they, and How and When to use them
At many Swedish universities, a cherished tradition involves donning section-specific overalls, each distinguished by varying colors and stripes. These overalls serve as a focal point during parties and events, where students personalize them with their name on the right leg and collect patches on the left. Patches can be acquired for various reasons, including participation in events, your place of residence, and the organizations you’re involved with. The sight of everyone’s uniquely adorned overalls fosters a sense of camaraderie and a strong connection to the student community. Certain events with the word “Kravall” in the title, signifying ‘overall required,’ provide a perfect opportunity to proudly display your personalized overall.
For exchange students staying a minimum of one year, the option to obtain section-specific overalls exists. In such cases, you can reach out to your corresponding section and inquire about purchasing one. Alternatively, ESN offers overalls for exchange students, available at cost. These ESN overalls are dark blue and typically feature yellow leg stripes, making them a popular choice among incoming students, and they are generally the most budget-friendly.
However, before you start customizing your overall, there’s an essential event you won’t want to miss: The Overall Inauguration. This tradition is a must, as it’s the rite of passage that precedes any actual use of your overall. To properly ‘initiate’ it, you need to get it splendidly dirty. This is achieved through an exhilarating inauguration event, featuring various activities such as food fights, colour wars, and even crawling through mud, among other adventurous challenges. These activities are organized as friendly competitions, with participants divided into teams, competing in various entertaining challenges. For many, this event becomes the highlight of their stay in Linköping, creating lasting memories and cherished experiences