What Simona says about the Master's in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation

Simona from Slovakia

Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your educational background?

"My name is Simona and I come from Slovakia. I have a study background in humanities – I studied law and international relations. I have worked for several years in the field of international migration and decided to take a career break and tilt my focus towards the more specific and very important field of disaster and climate change adaptation."

About the programme

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

"It has always been my dream to study abroad, however only now was I finally able to fulfil it. Lund University was my top choice due to its excellent reputation and the high quality of education provided to students. Moreover, I chose this programme because of the very specific yet overarching focus and the good reviews it received and I have not been disappointed ever since. Being fully aware of the state in which our planet is and the direction mankind is heading, this field is of great interest to me as I find it extremely relevant and want to add my share to dealing with various climate-related crises. I also like the fact that the university is with many organisations and experts in the field, so it provides a great base for networking and internship opportunities. Additionally, I felt that if I wanted to study environmentally related studies, there isn’t a better country for it than Sweden as a conscious champion."

Why should prospective students choose this programme? Do you have a favourite course?

"As an 'older' student from a non-engineering background, I was a bit worried about not fitting in the programme and potentially struggling. However, this proved to be a totally unfounded fear – we are a great mix of people and good friends learning from each other, and sharing experiences from our various backgrounds which makes it even more fun. I highly recommend this programme to all interested participants, regardless of age, experience or specific focus of previous study. I find it a very well-structured, thought-through, up-to-date and relevant one.

I have so many favourite subjects! I would say I enjoyed most of the study with perhaps the top being Climate Smart Risk Reduction and Capacity Development. Recently I have been enjoying the drone class that I am taking in my second year of Master's."

The teaching style and academic environment

What do you think of the teaching style and the way of studying here? What are the lecturers and professors like?

"Lecturers are highly educated and incredibly experienced yet humble people, who utilize great teaching methods, manage to engage students during the classes, and create an informal and pleasant learning environment. The learning process is full of cooperative projects and hands-on experience. We also get to develop a strong theoretical base which I was very much hoping for. The courses follow up on each other very logically, and information from each course is complementary to the other. A broad spectrum of disaster risk management cycles is covered from preparedness to response while also thinking of the learning part of the process.

The programme is very international, so you do not only learn from the teacher but also from your peers. In the beginning, it can feel a bit confusing and people might struggle but you receive all the necessary help and assistance to learn to quickly navigate through the study. The whole process is very friendly, open and sharing so it does not matter if you are more of an introverted thoughtful person or rather extroverted debater – the programme will bring out the best of you and provide you with the opportunity to practice what you are good at!

We also have quite a lot of opportunities for guest lectures, former students and alumni speaking about their work after their studies and LTH also organises many interesting job fairs."

What is studying in Sweden like compared to studying in your country or other countries you studied in?

"I would say it is incomparable! The way of studying was a total shock for me (a good one of course)! The safe, non-competitive environment for sharing your thoughts and teaching style focusing on the process of learning rather than the delivery of assignments is unprecedented. I love working in groups with other engaged, interested and curious minds. It makes the process so much more enjoyable, because we all know and understand why we are here and share the same values and hope for the future of our planet (and climate anxiety). Teachers are very informal, you call them by their first name (another shock for me) and they love to talk to students, and guide them but also leave great space for proactive learning."

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

"Yes! I was very excited about the simulation exercise for preparedness and contingency planning – definitely one of the best experiences of the study. It showed us how complex and dynamic a situation can get when many actors are involved in response management and sharpened our communication and collaboration skills. Similarly, the exercise for disaster response course gave us an opportunity to work within tactical and operational teams and learn how to work with large amounts of information in chaotic settings and convey the necessary to the tactical team in the field (with walkie-talkies!). Right now, we are engaged in quite some lab work with different software such as Matlab, ArcGIS, or WEAP for water management."

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

"One of the perks of this study programme is its strong alumni network – there is a newsletter, book club, a lot of communication via LinkedIn and sharing of job vacancies. We also engage in so-called 'inter-batch' meetings to get to know each other with previous Batches and this year with a new batch. The amount of accumulated knowledge, experience and know-how is overwhelming and fascinating!"

Being an international student in Lund

What it is like to be an international student at Lund University and how international is your programme?

"Our programme is very international. It really adds value to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, learn from them and gain new perspectives on things. There is a good amount of opportunities for international students in Lund and also no problem with interaction with the public as Swedish society’s level of English is high, making it very easy to get by. Lund University does a great job of supporting international students on many fronts."

How do you like living in Sweden? Did you feel welcome here? What surprised you most about Sweden?

"From a general perspective, it was a bit difficult to integrate from the beginning despite how amazingly nice and polite the society is. Swedish students are perhaps more reserved so it is a bit hard to mingle with them at first. Luckily, there are nations and other places where international presence is expected and encouraged (e.g. some nations like Kalmar or Wermlands, lectures, classes, etc.) there you can meet Swedes who are excited to get to know you.

The biggest surprise for me was the shared laundry system (it takes some time to get used to not forgetting your clothes in the laundry room and then waiting for the next person to open the door for you) and the fact that Swedes have special days dedicated to different pastry, that is funny. Also, how musical the people are – everybody plays something or sings or so. And people biking in the worst possible weather – that is what I call dedication! I was counting on the darkness and wetness so that is no surprise to me."

What are the highlights of your time here so far?

"Smiles, politeness, people, nature and studies (and sauna with possibilities to jump into the sea!). My expectations of the studies were far exceeded already and I could not have made a better decision to come here. And student accommodation! It looks so good and we even have a sauna and other facilities here. Does not even feel like a student dorm. Also, it is cool to have Copenhagen so close."

Future plans and tips for prospective students

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"I am planning to search for a job in an international environment, hopefully in countries affected by natural hazards but I keep my horizons open to any opportunity. The possibilities seem endless at the moment."

If you would recommend Lund or Malmö to someone, what would you say?

"If you’re not used to biking (like I was), start practising before you come. Or take a lot of magnesium with you! Lund is a cute student town, easy to get around, with incredible charm and lovely architecture. I heard someone calling it the Oxford of Sweden. It is well connected to Malmö and Helsingborg so no problem to get around Skane. I honestly could not have chosen a better cute little town for studies. My only regret is that I did not come here sooner (or for the entire study). I lived in Malmö my first year and it was no problem to commute. Malmö is a bigger city so more options for services."

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

"It is good to know what you’re diving into before, so do your research, talk to previous students, buy a raincoat and come! I would also say it is okay to feel lost and confused in the beginning, but there is a lot of help available, so make sure to use it if needed."