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

Introducing Fleur 

Hi! My name is Fleur and I'm the student ambassador for the Master's programme in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation. 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

Why did you choose Lund University? 

"To be honest, I looked at the programme first before deciding on the university. So, it was mostly the programme that spoke to me. After I started looking more into the university, it was the sustainable efforts and friendly-seeming relationships between professors and students that sealed the deal." 

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

"My programme exceeds my expectations! I was a bit afraid it would be too specific since the content of the programme is quite niche, but it turned out to include way more than I expected. I appreciate this because it makes me feel less limited in the knowledge I will have after graduating. The courses line up with each other perfectly and I feel like I am actively taking jumps in my understanding of very complex issues within the field." 

What is the best thing about your programme? 

"The best thing about my programme is the people in and around it. The students add so much of their own experiences and knowledge to the course content, which makes every course unique and interesting. The teaching staff are also very knowledgeable, good at communicating, and nice to students. You will feel like they know so much, but they are still just as interested in learning from you as you are in learning from them."

What do you think of the teaching style in Sweden? 

"I really appreciate the teaching style in Sweden. It is fairly similar to what I was used to in the Netherlands, where the emphasis is on seminars and group work. What I appreciate even more in Sweden than what I was used to is the informal relationship between teachers and students, which enables me to speak up and ask way more, which adds so much to my whole university experience!"

How international is your programme? 

"My programme is very international. In my year, we have 32 students from around 17 different countries. That really adds to the learning experience for us all! It is fun to see the small differences between European countries and the sometimes major differences between, for example, the Netherlands and the USA."

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

"I have not gained a lot of practical experience, but I did get the opportunity to. The first period of the second year is for elective courses and as part of the electives, you can do an internship. I however decided to take other courses at the university, since there were so many interesting ones, but many of my classmates did an internship and gained the practical experience they were seeking."

Why should prospective students choose this programme? 

"There is something in this programme for everyone – or at least everyone interested in climate change, disasters, natural hazards, risk management, etc. It offers a lot of different sides, of which some are more interesting to me than others, but it enables everyone to have courses that fit their interests. It also ensures we know as much as possible about the complex field we are about to enter!"

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

What is it like being an international student at Lund University? 

"It is an amazing opportunity! Lund, and Sweden in general, are very internationally friendly. Everyone here speaks perfect English and doesn't mind helping you, even if it is not in their native language. The city of Lund is also full of international students, so it is super easy to find a community here to hang out with and go through Swedish life, culture, and traditions together."

What do you do in your spare time? 

"When I am not studying, I do not like to sit still, which is why I grasp every opportunity that comes my way. I am a student representative and student ambassador. I go to the gym daily, sing in a choir and have joined a book club. But most of the time, I hang out with my amazing community of friends and roommates I have met here!"

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

"I loved the introduction period of the Faculty of Engineering. It was a very good (and intense) way to get to know my classmates and Swedish student traditions. It was very fun too! Another highlight must have been the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree at Central Square and Lucia during the winter. When it got warmer again, everyone went out to enjoy every ray of sunshine, which made me so happy! Lastly, Valborg, that was one of the most fun days I have experienced so far!" 

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

"I’d say: just do it, pull the trigger on the decision! You will honestly have the best time here and meet people you will remain friends with long after you have moved away again. Also, start looking for fun activities that you would like to partake in, maybe that warms you up to Lund a bit. There is an activity to find for everyone here!"

Have more questions for Fleur?

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