What Barbora says about the Master's in International Marketing & Brand Management

Barbora from Slovakia

About the programme and the teaching style

How did you find out about Lund University? 

"I have always strived for quality education, so when I saw the merits of LU when I googled universities in Sweden, it was a clear preference for me."

Why did you choose this programme?

"I have always wanted to live in one of the Scandinavian countries, at least for a couple of years. So when it was time to search for my Master’s, I went straight into the lists of universities in Scandinavia. I ended up choosing this programme out of all the others mainly because of the courses in Track 2, which seemed not only super interesting but also very unique compared to what was offered in most other business schools. Somewhere inside, I felt that this could be the right fit for me, even though I did not know much about the subjects at that time. And it turned out that I was right. Apart from that, though, I liked the fact that you can be done with your studies in just one year, which is great for many reasons. And when I saw how highly Lund University was acclaimed, it all just added up to my decision to choose this programme, at this university."

What do you think about your programme? Did it live up to your expectations? 

"This programme completely exceeded all my expectations. The quality of teaching, the structure of the semester, the assignments focused on group work and the respect that students get from their teachers. All of this was very different and much better than in my previous experience. The Swedish system really is much more different than what I knew from my country and even though the workload was at times overwhelming, it was overall a great study experience."

What was the best thing about your programme?

For me, it was the fact that I really enjoyed my courses. I learned so much not just about branding, but also about the society we live in. It helped me gain a completely different perspective on marketing and its impact on people, and I think that’s priceless. Another great thing is that we learned to apply the theories to real-world cases and that we had many guest lectures given by professionals from the field of branding and innovation, often coming from companies which are huge players in the market. So we can be sure that their perspectives are incredibly relevant."

Why should prospective students choose this programme? 

"You should choose this programme because you get an incredible amount of useful information and experience, all in just one year. I think this programme is best suited for people who want to further develop their understanding of marketing and branding, but who want to soon continue their career in praxis. In one year, you will get a great education from a prestigious university, many great friends and a network of talented people from many fields, and unforgettable memories for life."

What was your favourite course and why?

"It must have been the very first course that my track took, which was Consumer Culture Theory. It was something that was completely new to me at that time, and it frankly blew my mind. It introduced us to how consumerism is theorized using many sociological and anthropological theories and it offered us a new perspective on how huge the impact of branding is on human culture, on our society and on us as individuals. It was a very eye-opening and inspirational course, which helps you understand the potential wider consequences of your work as a marketer."

What do you think of the teaching style?

"I would evaluate it very positively. The teachers were usually good at keeping us engaged and at explaining the teaching material at hand. I don’t remember ever feeling lost during a lecture, or having trouble understanding. Furthermore, the teachers were most often very friendly and approachable, and they treated students with respect, like their equals. This is not something that should be taken for granted, because in some of the other academic cultures I experienced, the relationship dynamic between a teacher and a student can be different."

How “international” was your programme?

"It was very international. I would even say, if I am not mistaken, that the Swedes were a minority in our programme, compared to all the internationals. So you will definitely meet people from many backgrounds from all over the world, which is a very enriching experience. It also means that wherever you are from, you should not be shy to apply!"

Thoughts on being an international student at Lund, spare time and tips for prospective students 

What it is to be an international student at Lund University?

"The way I experienced it, Lund University is very welcoming and accommodating to international students. There are so many of us here, that it is relatively easy to connect with other internationals and make friends with people from all over the world. It is also quite easy to get around the campus and the town by just speaking English, which is a great plus. I feel that internationals are an important part of LU and of the general student culture and student life in Lund. I feel like, to a great extent, it makes the university what it is."

What surprised you the most about Swedes? 

"I would say their general politeness and that they are randomly smiling at you on the streets. Also, how trusting they generally are towards others, as if they only expect good things from other people. That is all very sweet and makes everyday life in Sweden even more pleasant."

What do you do in your spare time?  

"I am currently an LU Student Ambassador on Unibuddy, which is a very rewarding experience. Apart from that, in my free time, I like to just hang out at one of the student nations’ pubs with my friends or join some of their activities. There are so many opportunities to get involved in a student nation or a union, or to join an association related to your interests and hobbies. Really, being a student in Lund has many perks even for your student life in your free time."

Do you have any advice for other students who are considering coming to Lund? 

"The only advice I can give is: just do it! If you are considering studying abroad, I can’t possibly imagine a better place to make it happen. If you have any questions regarding the specific programme that you are considering, or about student life in general, feel free to contact one of us Student Ambassadors at LU through Unibuddy. There we can give you advice and share with you our experiences from the university."

Future plans and career preparation

What are your plans for the future? 

"Honestly, I am now at a point where I am not quite sure about this. I am currently studying a second Master's programme at LU, and I have one more year left. I feel drawn towards either working in communications or management, but perhaps not in the private sector. I would like to help make the world a bit of a better place. So, we’ll see how that goes!"

To what extent did your degree programme prepare you for a career in your field?

"Track 2, which I studied, offers a different set of skills/knowledge than Track 1. To my understanding, Track 1 is oriented more towards the management of brands, to skills applicable in praxis in actual brand management, whereas Track 2 offers you a deep understanding of the impact that brands have on society, and of the processes behind introducing innovations to the market. I think both can prepare you for a career in marketing, albeit both a bit differently. I ended up working in a position where I could not apply much from my studies, but that was because I chose such a position that was not related so much to what I studied. There are many positions where I am sure you could apply the knowledge gained in this programme. Either way, I believe that this programme can give you solid ground for your career in marketing and that it is definitely worth it."

If you are curious to learn more about co-writing your Master's thesis, you can also read Barbora's blog post:

Writing Your Master's Thesis in a Team at LUSEM: What to Expect and How to Succeed