What Siddhi has to say about the Master's in Cultural Criminology

Siddhi from India

How did you find out about this programme?

"I just typed in Google ‘best criminology courses across the world’, and this one popped up. It’s fairly new. We are the third cohort. The main difference that I found between this and other programmes was that this is cultural criminology, which is very specific and different from of Master's in just Criminology. That really made this programme stand out as my first preference."

Why did you choose this programme?

"I did a very small project on drug abuse when I was in high school, and although I never took psychology as my subject in my Bachelor's, I have been in the policy sector for the past three years. I was always interested in prison reform, prison systems and the rehabilitation processes, so I connected that to my previous Master’s degree in Gender Studies through this programme.

When we understand criminology, it usually has to do with crimes. However, cultural criminology deals with local cultures, subcultures and the characteristics that are surrounding deviance, crime and crime prevention. It comes down to studying the criminological setting across different cultures, their characteristics and how individuals enact in such a setting – for example, how the system of prisons and reformation or rehabilitation of prisoners can be different in different countries or regions. I find it very interesting."

What do you think about your programme so far?

"This is the best course, for sure! Before coming to Lund University, I was very nervous about the course. However, I found that it's not that different. I will say that you need to read a lot, of course, and before every class, you need to be prepared for the lecture, workshop or seminar. I feel that I came into this Master’s with a very different perspective than I have now and I've learned a lot. I have changed my mind on what I want to do for my Master's thesis three times already and I'm pretty sure I might change it two or three more times. It has been so interesting to see how people think in different ways about different issues as well as a particular topic."

Why do you think it is important to study cultural criminology? 

"For me, the most important aspect of studying this course was immersing myself in understanding the varying views and perspectives on the notion of crime across different cultures. Cultural criminology can be used both in a critical as well as an innovative aspect so as to understand the cultural structures and create interventions. It is through comprehending how culture shapes meaning, as well as why and how individuals are tempted to commit crimes that we can establish preventive measures in order to curtail the existing social problems."

How would you describe the teaching style within your department and the relationship with professors?

"I feel that the involvement that is present between the professors and the students at my department helps us to relate and connect with the course in a more enhanced manner. I have had a wonderful experience studying with my professors. The course itself allows us to make mistakes, rectify them and learn from them when understanding certain aspects of cultural criminology. For me, this helps us grow towards a bright future!" 

What can students expect from this programme?

"One thing that I know is that students can ask for and receive a lot of is help from the professors. I frequently email them asking them to clarify something they said in class if I wasn’t sure. They provide me with a very comprehensive and precise argument on how I can understand a particular issue. The professors are also always there to help you with any paper that you have to write, and they will assist you if you can't find a particular piece of literature."

What are the highlights of your time at Lund so far?

"Of course, my classmates! My circle of friends are all international classmates, plus a couple of Swedish friends as well. I have also joined Lunds Nation and worked there which was absolutely fantastic. The number of people you get to meet and the work you do together is great. So, for anyone who is new, I would really recommend joining and working for a nation."

What are your favourite spots around Lund?

"Stadsparken is for sure my absolute favourite spot, especially in the summer! I take my coffee and my book and just sit and picnic because it's so beautiful. I remember back when we arrived in Lund in August, we used to hang out outside every day and explore the city. The main University Library is so beautiful, and that's where our hangout spot was when autumn was arriving so we could see the leaves' colours change. My friends and I literally explored every open space we could find."

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

"Coming from India, it feels amazing to be a part of a different culture here at Lund. To be honest, I felt very nervous to be away from home for the first time. But Lund is full of international students coming from different countries, perspectives and cultures. The different student nations and the social sciences union, among others, give the students a chance to be interactive and engaged."

What is the best thing about your programme?

"The best thing about studying cultural criminology is that it is very different from mainstream or classical criminology and gives an insight into the comprehensive cultural structures and how individuals behave or act in a particular societal order. The course ‘Applied Cultural Criminology’ gives us a chance to apply the theories to understand, review, analyse and evaluate the social order and crime prevention across different themes/topics and in different cultural constructs. It is very interesting to see the various ideas of crime and crime prevention that the other students come up with and to analyze them from a cultural perspective."

Have you been able to gain any practical experience so far during your studies that you think will help you in your future career?

"Definitely! Apart from learning about new concepts regarding crime, I have also learned to apply my skills and knowledge in different cultural constructs. This has benefitted me to take a look at more aspects that I may be interested in. Additionally, I am now able to look beyond and explore more opportunities across the world, such as social or policy analysts, a career in crime prevention, etc."