What Maria says about the Master's in Service Management, Supply Chain Management

Maria from Bangladesh

About the programme and the teaching style

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

"I learned about Lund University from one of my professors in Bangladesh. I used to work in Bangladesh as a part-time lecturer. I already have a course-based Master's degree. I found many of my professors and colleagues studied at Lund University. As I planned to enrol myself in a Master's programme with an intensive focus on research, I chose Lund's Master’s in Service Management programme as I figured out this programme has a blend of course-based modules and research modules to prepare me for a PhD programme in the future." 

Does the programme live up to your expectations so far?

"My programme lives up to my expectations. I have learned a lot about academic writing, literature reviews, and quantitative and qualitative research methods. I have always desired to learn intensively about research methodology. The courses are challenging. Though the study load may feel heavy sometimes, overcoming these challenges will make a student confident. Moreover, the professors and academic support centres are there to guide students in the whole process."

What is the best thing about your programme?

"It is difficult to mention only one aspect of the programme to be the best. There are many aspects of this programme that I enjoy. I enjoy the seminars of this programme. Moreover, I cherish the interdisciplinary nature of my programme. Though I studied science and business previously in my academic life, social science has always intrigued me as a concerned citizen. I get to learn social science in my classes. I really enjoy the lectures of the professors here. The professors here read a lot and include the most informative and enjoyable books in the course reading list."

What do you think of the teaching style at Lund? 

"As a lecturer myself, I meticulously observed the teaching style at Lund University. I am impressed by the teaching style. I learned a lot regarding teaching. The teaching style here at Lund drastically differs from how I was taught in my home country. In my country, lectures are mainly delivered for teaching. I attended many compulsory workshops and seminars at Lund that enhanced my learning. Workshops and seminars enabled me to learn not only from professors but also from my fellow coursemates. I never had the opportunity to learn much from my peers in my home country. I am motivated to apply this teaching technique once I return to teaching."

Why should prospective students choose this programme?

"The reading list of this programme is very varied. Students will get to learn a lot by enrolling in this programme. This programme prepares students for many career avenues."

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

"Not yet, but I plan to do a summer internship to learn the Swedish way of working. I am keeping my fingers crossed regarding this. A field trip is also scheduled for next week when our professor will take us to an organisation providing logistics support to retailers."

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

"There are students from all around the world in my programme. It is a great learning experience to study in this environment. I got to learn from classmates about their countries. Making friends from around the world and trying their cuisine was a rewarding experience for me."

Thoughts on spare time, Sweden and tips for prospective students

What do you do in your spare time?  

"In my spare time, I cook. I also love to read fiction sitting on a bench in the nearby park of my student housing. Most importantly, I walk around the city of Helsingborg. I mostly like to walk by the sea."

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

"There are plenty of programmes offered by Lund University. A student should find a programme that aligns with his/her interest. If a student can figure out his/her area of interest, Lund University can be the best place to enjoy learning."

What surprised you the most about Sweden?

"The most fantastic experience is nobody honks here. I really like the transportation system and sound pollution-free streets in Sweden. It surprises me because I come from a noisy city of almost 25 million people. I find Sweden very peaceful."

Future plans 

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"I plan to enrol in a PhD programme. I want to do research in the field of the supply chain."

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

"Researching in a field like supply chain is challenging because we need experience working in the industry along with knowledge of research methodology. Lund University's Service Management programme is designed in such a way that it prepares students for both corporate and academic life. This combination is needed for an aspiring researcher like me."