What Tuan says about the Master's in Energy-efficient and Environmental Building Design

Tuan from Vietnam

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

"I finished my Bachelor’s of Architecture at Ho Chi Minh University of Architecture in my home country of Viet Nam. I have been working as a junior architect for two years since."

Why did you choose Lund University and why did this particular programme appeal to you?

"In my career, I realized I am fascinated when talking about energy-saving buildings and how the design can actually influence the outdoor and indoor environment. Therefore, I decided to study a higher degree with a concentration of energy-saving design. After doing some research, I realized Sweden is one of the leading countries in sustainable and environmental studies and practices, and Lund University is one of the leading schools in this matter. So that’s why I chose Lund and Energy Efficient and Environmental Building Design course to pursue."

What do you think of the teaching style and the way of studying here?

"In my opinion, the course has been well-tailored and planned. A lot of practical information and procedures were introduced to us so that we can imagine what this industry looks like. The teachers are really nice and friendly, which amazed me. They try to explain everything for us to understand and they are easy to have a conversation with."

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

"So far, I have had laboratory work in the area of daylight assessment and ventilation. I must say that they helped me a lot to understand how things work and also helped me have a greater understanding of the information we learned in lectures."

Have you had any opportunities for networking within the programme? Do you work with companies?

"I have had some lecturers coming from other companies and they explained many practical experiences. I also joined some of the career fairs to understand more about what the Swedish job market looks like."

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

"Lund is a student city, so there are many different activities for students here. As an international student, you will have time to make friends with people from many different places and experience many cultures, especially Swedish culture. There are also some potlucks that usually happen at the beginning of the semester in the programme or in your student housing. They are really good opportunities to extend your network, make some more friends, and try new foods from around the world."

How international is your programme?

"For my programme, most of the students are international. They come from India, USA, China, Turkey and lots of different places around the world. That diversity is what makes this course special. You have a chance to make friends and work with other students from different backgrounds and it surely broadens your skill and makes for a great experience."

What is studying in Sweden like compared to studying in your home country?

"It is completely different. In Vietnam, most of the lectures involved passive teaching. This means that lecturers will stay on the whiteboard, try to explain everything or read in the book the same words, and students will try to write down some notes or highlight in the books for the exam. But in Sweden, the teachers try to make some discussions or consultations or even quizzes so that we can actively receive information and we can totally understand it. I think that this way makes me learn faster and remember information for much longer."

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"After my studies, I will try to find a job related to my field in Sweden or somewhere else in the EU. I really love the vibe of European countries and would love to spend more time exploring and enjoying it."

Curious to learn more about study visits within the programme? Check out Tuan's blog post!

Blog post 'Study Visits: A Great Way To Learn Outside Your Classroom'