What Cheng says about the Master's in GIS and Remote Sensing

To GIS and Remote Sensing - Master Programme

Introducing Cheng 

Hi! My name is Cheng, and I'm the student ambassador for the Master's programme in GIS and Remote Sensing. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the programme, courses, student life, and life in Lund and Sweden via the Unibuddy Platform, where you can chat with me (see below). Please note that I cannot answer questions about the application process, scholarships, or residence permits. 

About the programme and the teaching style

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

"It is a good question for me because I had not heard of Lund University or its GIS and Remote Sensing programme when I began applying for my Master's degree. It wasn't until I discovered that I could apply to four programmes through the Swedish university admissions system that I started looking for more GIS-related programmes in Sweden. When I came across the name and courses of the GIS and Remote Sensing programme, I realised that it was exactly what I was looking for. I chose this programme because I have a strong interest in both GIS and Remote Sensing, and I found that the course schedule was accommodating to students with diverse backgrounds, like myself."

What do you think about your programme so far?

"I love this programme so much! Although I did not have a strong foundation in GIS, because my Bachelor's degree was not related to GIS, the teachers are attentive to students from diverse backgrounds. They arranged extra courses to help us catch up on the required coursework."

What is the best thing about your programme?

"I believe the best aspect of this programme is the strong emphasis on practical application. This approach allowed me to not only consolidate my theoretical knowledge, but also provided an opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the practical components of the programme helped me to improve my creativity skills, since the teachers gave us the freedom to design projects independently. These experiences have greatly prepared me for my future career."

What do you think of the teaching style at Lund?

"In my programme, teaching is not limited to lectures but integrated throughout the learning experience. The teachers were always available to help us when we faced challenges in practical applications. They patiently communicated with us until we fully understood the concepts. Furthermore, they provided detailed feedback on our submitted assignments, which greatly helped us improve."

Why should prospective students choose this programme?

"This programme is one of the best GIS programmes in Europe. Through two years of study in this programme, students can acquire a solid foundation and new knowledge in the cutting-edge field. This is extremely beneficial for their future development, whether in academia or industry."

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

"So far, I have not gained any practical experience outside of my classes. Since I did not have a GIS-related background, I needed the first year to consolidate my foundational knowledge. There are many practical options offered in this programme, and I plan to try some in the second year."

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

"This programme is a highly internationalised one. Our programme has 13 classmates from 12 countries across 4 continents. I really appreciate this kind of diversity in an international programme, because no one feels isolated. In such an environment, communication is not hindered by our different nationalities. Instead, we can learn from each other's unique strengths and continuously improve together."

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

"I am planning to pursue a PhD position after completing my Master's studies. I want to participate in academic research on remote sensing, where I can use satellite images to help solve geographic problems. The programme has been very helpful in this regard, as the official website frequently updates research opportunities, and the teachers introduce several GIS-related positions in class."

Thoughts on being an international student at Lund and spare time

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

"Lund University is a very international university. Being an international student here is very common. There are many activities for international students in Lund. I also don't need to learn Swedish because everyone can speak English fluently here."

What do you do in your spare time?

"When I am alone, I usually enjoy reading books and playing the piano. Additionally, I like to participate in various activities such as language cafes or hiking events organised by different groups."