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Amit from India

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

"My name is Amit and I come from the city Bhopal in India. I am studying for a Master of Science in the field of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at �۶���Ƶ. I did my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at the Vellore Institute of Technology in India."

About the programme and the academic environment

Why did you choose �۶���Ƶ and why did this particular programme appeal to you?

"During my Bachelor’s, I took a few courses related to Industrial Engineering and Management. I was highly fascinated to learn about the industrial sector from the management perspective and this fuelled my interest. So, I became more interested in learning about industrial management, logistics and supply chain. I also did a few internships which boosted my confidence. So, I decided to do my Master’s in this field and then I came across a specialisation course in Logistics and Supply Chain from �۶���Ƶ. I went through the course structure and found it appealing to me. I also looked for similar courses in Europe but I chose to keep this University as my first priority and fortunately, I was accepted to study here."

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

"If you are a mechanical or industrial engineer and looking for a programme that covers the vast syllabus of the technical and management sector in the field of supply chain and logistics, then this programme is highly recommended. The courses covered are mentioned on their website. They will help you gain theoretical and pragmatic knowledge with great depth. Most of the courses contain group assignments and projects that will help you understand teamwork and better communication with your colleagues. The university also has close relationships with many companies in Sweden that can help you find your Master's thesis and job search. I liked most of the courses but my favourite course in this programme was 'Production and Inventory Control'."

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

"The teaching style of �۶���Ƶ is very different from what I had during my Bachelor’s in India. As an international student, you are exposed to the culture of a new environment. The Professors are very polite and helpful in solving your problems and also help you in understanding the course very well. Most of the lectures go offline in the University while few of them go online depending on their availability."

What is the academic/learning environment like?

"Looking at the learning environment, it is always calm and peaceful. In the lecture hours, the corridor areas are silent. All the university buildings have private study rooms to do your projects. During the lecture, the professors expected sessions to be more interactive and to share their views about their experiences. The courses also have guest lectures where a representative working in a similar field from a company will share their views and experiences on the given topic. The course also provides workshops and study visits where students can observe and relate their course with field trips to the companies. They also have career fairs where students get an opportunity to interact with representatives from different companies and discuss the thesis and job openings."

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

"Absolutely, in some courses, students get an opportunity to go for company visits to gain exposure and insights about them. In a few courses, you will be given a task to get in contact with the selected companies to do group projects and in some of them, they have labs and workshops to do the simulation work. Overall, different courses will have different demands and more options to explore apart from theoretical knowledge."

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

"People here are always open to having conversations when it comes to networking. I had the opportunity to network with professors about the courses and also for job search. They always had close connections with companies which is helpful. I have made a strong network with my colleagues and alumni since coming here. I also went to many career fairs where I met many representatives from their companies to understand the market and the job opportunities in Sweden.

I haven’t worked with the company to date but looking for an opportunity and hopefully find it soon."

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

"In terms of studying, I believe there is a lot of difference when it comes to teaching and practical experience. Sweden provides you with highly interactive professors who are also good at research and share a lot of insights into their knowledge. Guest lectures provide students on how the market is changing and evolving and what their companies are doing to make it happen. Project discussions and group assignments are a unique concept where students are free to share their opinions and learn from each other. The environment is a learning one rather than a competitive one."

Being an international student in Lund

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

"Sweden as a country is always welcoming to internationals. Most people know English and therefore, it is easy to interact with people. Sweden is also safe compared to many other countries in Europe and better in living compared to India. People are very relaxed and always have a smile when someone passes nearby.

I received a warm welcome from our mentors and they took us to the student union to collect our keys and also dropped me off at my accommodation when I first arrived here. I still remember the day when our batch was welcomed by the course director Prof. Louise and she provided us with our first 'fika'.

The most surprising thing about Sweden that I have noticed is that people who are walking and biking are given the first preference and the traffic regulations are very strict compared to India, and the best part is that the public follows them with no hesitation."

What it is like to be an international student at �۶���Ƶ and how 'international' is your programme?

"�۶���Ƶ has a lot of international students. Every year, students from all over the globe come here to study and this population is increasing. As an international student, I am lucky to be given an opportunity to study and explore the vibrant atmosphere and also get connected with many internationals and Swedes. We have many Swedes in the courses and it is amazing to connect with them during projects. This also creates an environment where all the ideas are valued and we can participate freely. Being a student here, I have always tried to be social and interactive with my colleagues, professors and guest speakers and always received a positive response from them.

The programme I have chosen is international and it has people from different continents. Most of the Swedes choose integrated programmes and that is the reason you will find them in your courses. To apply for this programme, you don’t need any experience in your career but you should fulfil the prerequisites of the programme."

What are the highlights of your time here so far?

"It’s been a year so far in Sweden and I have liked the country and people. Interacting and making friends from other countries, adapting to the weather, networking with alumni and people from different companies, and university learning and teaching experience have been the highlights for me."

Future plans and advice for prospective students

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"The courses provide a pragmatic overview of managing complex supply chains in real-world applications. After completing my studies, I will be looking for full-time opportunities, preferably in Sweden. I will be gaining a lot of experience from this programme and I am excited to start my career in this field. Networking is one valuable asset that I have learnt and I hope that it helps me in getting a job very soon."

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

"Lund City has a lot of students. If you want to socialise with other internationals then I would suggest living here. Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden (metropolitan area). If you want more accessibility and enjoy living in a big city, then my suggestion would be to choose Malmö or Helsingborg. If you have classes in Lund, I would recommend staying in Lund as you can have direct connectivity to the University and you can fulfil the daily requirements and save money on travel."

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

"As a non–EU student, you have a housing guarantee. However, students who come with their spouses and children should look for private housing through websites and social media before coming here as LU Accommodation and other student accommodation providers generally do not offer family housing.

I recommend you download the 'Skånetrafiken' app for public transport before you reach Copenhagen, and contact your seniors, alumni and student ambassadors if you have any study-related questions before coming here."