What Marie says about the Master's in Human Rights Studies

Marie from Georgia

About the programme and the teaching style

How did you find out about this programme and why did you choose it? 

"Lund University has one of the best programmes for human rights in Europe. I found information about the requirements for application processes with the help of the Lund University webpage. Around me, many successful people in their field have degrees from here. Thus, I knew studying at Lund would be an excellent benefit for my career development."

What do you think about your programme (so far)? 

"Before applying, I did in-depth research about the study programme and what kind of knowledge I could gain from the course. So far, it has lived up to my expectations. The programme combines historical, philosophical, political and legal perspectives on the complex phenomenon that human rights represent in our world. Thus, it gives me an opportunity to choose a field I find interesting and engage with it."

 What is the best thing about your programme?  

"The programme has a lot of advantages, but the one I would like to highlight is that it gives us general theoretical information about various fields. Thus, it is a particularly suitable programme for anyone who wants to continue a career as a researcher. Course books, sources and materials are available in the university library, and it's easy to engage with the course literature."

What do you think of the teaching style at Lund? 

"Every programme at Lund University has a different teaching style. Also, Lund offers an exciting campus environment with vibrant student life, an international atmosphere and memorable student traditions. The Human Rights Studies programme includes lectures, seminars and presentations. The examination methods include writing assignments or projects. During one module, we might have several lecturers who teach us different human rights fields according to their specialisation. It makes every lecture significant and distinct from the previous experience."

Why should prospective students choose this programme? 

"Lund is Sweden's top-ranked comprehensive university. Having a degree from Lund University means you studied at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. Also, the Human Rights Studies programme helps students to maximise their potential and problem-solving skills in a transnational context, which is a great way to gain valuable, helpful experience. The study environment at the Human Rights Studies department is super dynamic and interesting, but not stressful. The programme is committed to the view that human rights need to be regarded and studied not only as ethical principles or grounds for law and policy but also as part of the infrastructure of a democratic society."

Have you been able to gain any practical experience during your studies? 

"So far, we have had two field trips: one to the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and the other to the UN city in Copenhagen. Both trips were exciting and gave us a lot of valuable and practical knowledge. The course also includes a mandatory internship in the third semester, which is very useful for gaining practical knowledge for future career prospects. Students have the opportunity to choose the organisations where they want to have their internship and use this knowledge later for writing their thesis."

Editor's note: Marie did her internship at the United Nations in Geneva. Watch a video about her internship experience on the United Nations Office at Geneva's LinkedIn page:

Marie's intern testimonial (LinkedIn.com)

Being an international student at Lund University

How international is your programme and what is it like to study in that kind of environment? 

"Studying in an international environment is beneficial, and it gives us the possibility to acknowledge different perspectives and experiences. The programme is created to cover global human rights issues, and it's interesting for students from other countries, continents and cultures. This year, students are mainly from Europe, but some of them are also from North and South America, and it creates a very vibrant study environment."

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

"Being an international student at the beginning might be a bit stressful for a lot of students. Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities to relax and feel comfortable in the new environment. Living in Lund as an international student might be one of the best experiences because students have a lot of benefits. Also, the balance between studying and leisure time is well balanced. With rigorous academic performance, we can combine travelling, spending time with friends and organising different activities."

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? 

"Being involved in extracurricular activities is the best way to meet various interesting people from around the globe, make new friends and gain valuable skills and knowledge. One of the first things I did after arriving in Lund was join a nation. It helped me to meet students from different countries and learn about their cultures. Also, my favourite activity is going for hikes. It is a great way to find out more about Sweden, its nature and its people. There are a lot of opportunities for students who want to use their knowledge to benefit society too, by volunteering in different organisations."

What surprised you the most about Sweden? 

"Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. People are friendly and helpful. The first shock was when I found out that I had to address lecturers by their names. It would be unacceptable in my country, but I have already gotten used to it. Another thing I would like to mention is that I'm impressed how many people are using bicycles for transportation, it helps them to stay healthy and also benefits the environment."

Tips for prospective students and plans for the future

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

"I suggest students get engaged with Swedish culture. It is also nice to learn some Swedish before arriving here. Even though almost everyone here speaks perfect English, it always gives some additional comfort when you are able to speak basic phrases in the local language and have small conversations with locals in their native language."  

What are you planning to do after your studies? What are your plans for the future?  

"In the future, I hope to lead to significant changes in the problematic areas of human rights. After I finish my studies, I think of doing some research in my field, and I will use the knowledge I gained at Lund University for these purposes."

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

"The programme gives me various information and valuable knowledge. It also provides me with practical skills for my future career, including self-development, independence, research skills etc. Overall, the programme helps us improve our academic skills and prepares us for future challenges in the vast field of human rights."