ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ

Introducing Freja

Hi! My name is Freja and I'm the student ambassador for the Master's programme in Literature – Culture – Media, English Literature. 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. 

The programme and the teaching style 

Why did you choose ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ? 

"I spent a semester at Lund during my Bachelor’s as an exchange student and completely fell in love with the city and the lively student atmosphere during my time here. Therefore, when choosing what to do for my Master’s, Lund became my top choice. I knew that by returning I would be coming back to the most fulfilling, fun, and active daily life as a student and that I would receive a quality education from the influence of exceptionally knowledgeable professors and peers. My overall happiness has never been more stable than as a student at ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ, and so it was an easy decision to return."

What do you think of your programme so far? Does it meet your expectations? 

"I am enjoying the different pace of the programme and the slight adaptation process it has, admittedly, been to settle in. I would say it both meets and challenges my expectations – I have learned more about the programme structure and format since starting, but have also found myself enjoying the flexibility of it and the interactions with literature students from other specialisations. I find myself delving further into the curriculum and my studies than ever before, which I think is a sign that I feel inspired and challenged in the best way possible."

What is the best thing about your programme? 

"Besides some inspiringly knowledgeable professors, I think the best thing about the programme is the close-knit community of the course participants, which has proven to offer some of the most interesting and nuanced discussions both in and outside of class. It is super neat to also have a programme with so many international students when a lot of our work centers around cultural contextualisation – it prompts real-life insight into a plethora of cultures, texts, and languages." 

What do you think of the teaching style in Sweden? 

"It offers my preferred study-life balance, which is to say it is engaging and challenging enough without being over-impossible to manage. Generally, there is an understanding of – and even encouragement to – engage in extracurricular activities, hobbies, or sports outside your studies. The teaching is always relaxed and comfortable, and often, students are just as much contributors to the class as the professors."

How international is your programme? 

"We are a very small class even when together all the specialisations from my year, but even so, around half of us are international. There is never a time when a class will not have at least a couple of international students in any of the Literature – Culture – Media courses."

Why should prospective students choose this programme? 

"Prospective students may choose this programme for its curriculum existing of contemporary works as well as canon classics in all different genres of ‘texts’, or the unique programme format, which particularly has all the specialisations (such as English, Russian, or Children’s Lit) participating in joint courses or seminars. Otherwise, it is the opportunity for socialisation and scholarly conversations with fellow students in a comfortable, familiar environment due to the intimate class sizes of the programme."

Thoughts on being an international student at Lund, spare time and tips for prospective students

What is it like being an international student at ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ? 

"I truly find it the most welcoming and active student environment I have ever been a part of. The large international student body of ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ ensures that so many people share this experience of living and studying abroad with you, making it much easier to establish connections and not feel alone in what can be quite a daunting life change. It is also the easiest time I have had making friends, since most international students are looking for people to experience life in Lund with."

What do you do in your spare time? 

"I do spend a considerable amount of time reading or engaging with literary content, but otherwise, I am a fan of getting out in town, either for a walk, a look around my favorite independent shops, or meeting a friend for coffee. During the summer, I spend every sunny moment I can in one of the beautiful parks of Lund. Recently, I picked up a pair of ice skates at a secondhand shop and have been going to the Ishall (indoor ice rink) in Lund during the weekends for an hour or two of ice skating."

What have been the highlights of your first year in Lund? 

"Creating a routine and a life here that I am happy and content in, settling into my courses and making new friends, and enjoying the accessible location of SkÃ¥ne, which makes for convenient day trips or nature excursions. 

Oh, and seeing the leaves turn orange on the main university library building during fall!"

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

"Give it your best at socialising, especially the first month of coming here, but also don’t burn yourself out with social commitments – the friends will come, there are so many ways of meeting people at ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ. Otherwise, I would say lean into the student-life balance of Sweden, and you will establish a hopefully fulfilling and manageable life schedule, which leaves space for exploration of Lund, SkÃ¥ne, and Scandinavia alongside your studies."

Have more questions for Freja?

You can chat with her and other current students directly via Unibuddy by clicking the card below.