Hasmik from Armenia

About the programme and the teaching style 

Why did you choose this programme? 

"I have a technical background, so I was researching a relevant programme and I came up with this Master’s programme. It is much more relevant to my technical background in computer science and this programme also includes a business perspective, which was quite interesting to me. I actually researched a lot about this programme, and I suggest potential applicants do the same. Before applying to this programme, I researched all of the courses and there is a comprehensive description of each of them on the Lund University website where you can find out exactly what they are going to teach us. That’s when I found out that this was a suitable course for me."

How does this programme build on your previous background?  

"I worked as a software engineer for several years and it was very interesting to me to understand how management works and how the IT field of the company develops. That’s why this Master’s programme in the School of Economics is the most suitable thing you can find."

What is the best thing about your programme?  

"It is totally different from the ones that I've taken before. This programme is a bit more academic and a Master's programme is supposed to have academic competence. We are reading articles, and writing essays about the way the system is designed. I really like this academically oriented approach."

Why should a prospective student choose this particular programme?  

"A prospective student who is interested in the IT field, which is one of the top growing fields in the world, would do well in this programme. From the business perspective, we combine that with the practical experiences that help to build the background knowledge."

Do you feel like the programme has given you some practical experience? 

"For sure, definitely networking! Something I keep thinking of due to our guest lectures is being an IT consultant, which is a good position to have because you aren’t in the process of coding and things like that, but you are one step back and you have the overall perspective which is interesting."

What is it like being a student in the classroom of Information systems?  

"It’s super dynamic. It’s a full-time, 40-hour-a-week programme. When it comes to teaching, we have lectures and guest lecturers from all over the world, which is amazing. People from the exact field of their niche come to talk to us. It's not only going to school and just attending lectures and having a written or oral exam at the end of the term, but it is about group projects and individual essays. Overall, you gain so much knowledge that's incompatible with other ways of teaching. I love the diversity of projects and group work that I am working on. The thesis even has a group dynamic."    

How international is your classroom?  

"It is quite international. We have people from India, China and others and it is quite diverse."

What do you think from your degree programme has made finding a job easier? Do you feel like what you’ve learned in the classroom extends into the real world?  

"Undoubtedly, it is helping. Our literature and the things we are studying are very up-to-date. We study the most up-to-date fields like sustainability and IT risk management. Lund University is very much connected to the real world and helps you make those connections yourself."

Thoughts on being an international student at Lund and spare time  

What is it like being an international student?  

"I think it is very comfortable. You don’t feel out of the group, because there are so many student activities to partake in. That is why I have chosen Sweden over other countries because Sweden is a very diverse country for international students."

What do you do in your spare time?

"During my spare time, when I’m not studying or working, I go to a lot of on-campus events. There are plenty of events at the student nations such as movie nights and hikes. Since Lund is also a small city, it is not easy to get bored and it's never crowded. Student events are great to go around and meet people. There are also lots of events with LundaEkonomerna, the School of Economics and Management student union, with career fairs and other networking events."