What Sanchita says about the Master's in Environmental Management and Policy

Introducing Sanchita  

Hi! My name is Sanchita, and I'm the student ambassador for the Master's programme in Environmental Management and Policy. 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 this programme and why did you choose it? 

"I found out about my course and Lund University through course alumni. I was interested in higher education in the field of business sustainability and was exploring courses that would strengthen my technical and managerial skills. I then learned about the experience of alumni with this course and that was the biggest reason why I chose it." 

What do you think about your programme (so far)? 

"It absolutely lives up to my expectations. The teaching style, course content, and sense of community are exactly what I hoped for. Not only am I learning new concepts and tools, but I am also surrounded by amazing classmates, teachers, and other members of the IIIEE (International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics)."

What is the best thing about your programme? 

"The best thing is the course design and how it is oriented towards practical applications of concepts and connections with external experts and industries. This is true across courses, but especially so for courses which deep dive into business sustainability. I’m not only learning new concepts, but also how they are applied in the real-world application every step of the way and, thus, my programme feels even more important and relevant." 

What do you think of the teaching style at Lund? 

"I think it’s conducive to learning and understanding. In all my courses so far, the focus is on understanding and applying the concepts we learn. Our assignments and exams are also application-oriented. Students are expected to be able to study independently, in addition to class lectures. This takes a lot of pressure off of rote learning for exams and I can focus on understanding and learning important concepts."

Why should prospective students choose this programme?

"You should choose this course because of: the interdisciplinary design of the course, practical application of concepts via internships and consultancy projects, the tight-knit community of students and alumni and the access to in-house experts on ground-breaking subjects within the sustainability domain."

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

"We have an upcoming internship and consultancy course as a part of our second semester. We will also have a consultancy project in Semester 3 called ‘Sustainability Solutions in Context’ where we will consult on specific problems with real-life cases. In addition to all of this, we have regular industry visits and guest lectures from industry practitioners."

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

"Our course has a deliberate and conscientious effort to have a truly international classroom. I have a class of 33 people from more than 20 countries. The Institute itself has alumni from 120+ countries. Beyond just numbers, I am able to enhance my empathy and ability to work in a multicultural environment, thus setting me up for international jobs. Of course, I get to learn about different cultures foods, festivals, practices, and rituals over potlucks and communal meals!" 

Thoughts on student life at Lund, tips for prospective students, and the future

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

"My class has become my support network. I get to experience the University and my course with wonder and awe. I feel positively out of my comfort zone."

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? 

"I’m involved with the IIIEE MOOCs. I also volunteer with my alumni organisation and whenever possible, with the Lund University Student Theatre."

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

"My advice is to plan your housing in advance, take advantage of University provisions for housing, and make use of all of the free cultural events, museums and cultural nights!" 

What surprised you the most about Sweden? 

"I was most surprised by how easily I was able to adjust here!"

What are you planning to do after your studies? What are your plans for the future?  

"I plan to get work with international businesses and help them manage their environmental impact and sustainability issues. Specifically, I plan to work on circular economy programmes and help organisations establish and engage with it through their products and services."

Have more questions for Sanchita? 

You can chat with her and other current students directly via Unibuddy by clicking the card below. If you want to know more about Sanchita's thoughts on studying at Lund as an older student, you can also read her blog post. 

Sanchita’s blog post Building a Meaningful Life as an Older Student at Lund University