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Miguel from Germany

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

"My name is Miguel. I’m 26 years old, and I’m excited to say that I am currently studying Sustainable Energy Engineering at �۶���Ƶ in Sweden. This Master’s programme is the perfect fit after earning my Bachelor’s degree in Energy and Environmental Technology in Düsseldorf, Germany. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a year as an exchange student in Stellenbosch, South Africa. That experience not only gave me the opportunity to study in English but also provided a lot of international experience."

The programme and the teaching style

Why did you choose �۶���Ƶ and why did the Sustainable Energy Engineering programme appeal to you?

"After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, I knew I wanted to focus on renewable energies in my Master’s studies. After conducting some research, I decided on Sweden due to its strong emphasis on renewable energy in its national energy sector. Another major factor was the international student environment, which I value greatly. Unlike Düsseldorf, which isn’t a student city, Lund offers a vibrant and dynamic student life. This combination of academic focus and community was exactly what I was looking for."

Can you describe your favourite course and what is special about it?

"My favorite course is Wind Power Systems, which focuses on offshore wind turbines. This module covers everything from how wind turbines are constructed to the design and planning of wind farms. The lecturer was an industry professional who shared fascinating firsthand stories about his work on offshore wind turbine construction sites. In this course, we also learned about the critical steps in planning a wind farm and worked in groups to design our own offshore wind farm.

The highlight was a study visit to an offshore wind park just outside Malmö, where we went by boat. Study visits like this are common in most modules, allowing us to see theoretical concepts in practice. Out of all the courses I’ve taken, only one didn’t include a study visit."

Where do you study after lectures?

"The Faculty of Engineering (LTH) offers plenty of spaces for collaborative and individual study. Many buildings have comfortable group rooms and student cafés (where coffee costs less than 1€). My favorite study spot is on the second floor of the M-Building, in a quiet area with comfortable chairs and lots of natural light coming through large glass windows." 

Have you had any opportunities for networking with companies?

"I attended a company fair called ARKAD. It was excellent and gave me a chance to interact with various companies."

Being an international student in Lund

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

"Lund has a large community of international students, and my programme includes participants from all over the world. Most modules are attended by both international and Swedish students, which creates a well-balanced classroom environment. While I have spent most of my time with international students, living in Lund for over a year has also allowed me to connect with Swedish students and learn about local culture.

Although I haven’t learned much Swedish, it hasn’t been a problem. All lectures are in English, and almost everything in daily life, conversations, and services are available in English. This has allowed me to perfect my language skills."

What do you do in your free time? And what are your highlights of your time here so far?

"While this programme can be challenging, especially during exams and group work, there is definitely time for leisure throughout the semester.

Beyond university-organised activities, I served as a mentor during the introduction period for new international students in Lund. It was a rewarding experience to welcome them into the student community through games, events, and study sessions.

Most of my free time, however, has been spent with Lund Extreme Sports Society (LESS), an outdoor adventure club. We have gone climbing, surfing, skiing, and camping and I have even been on the club’s board, organising various activities. One of my most memorable experiences was organising and completing an 'Ironman' triathlon in Lund through LESS. Completing th triathlon was an incredible challenge, but it didn’t stop me from staying focused on my studies and preparing for exams.

In Lund, student life often includes volunteering, such as helping out at student bars with other organisations, which is a great way to meet people and stay active."

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"That’s a great question, and I don’t have a definite answer yet. I have many ideas. One of them is traveling through South America and another is working on an offshore wind farm. At the ARKAD company fair, I applied for a graduate programme related to wind farm planning, which aligns with my career goals.

For now, I know where I’ll be next semester: Madrid, Spain, for my Master’s thesis. This opportunity is part of a collaboration between �۶���Ƶ and a partner university in Madrid. My project will focus on wind turbines, which is my area of interest. This collaboration highlights how international �۶���Ƶ truly is!"