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

Megan from Guatemala

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

"Hola! I’m Megan! I'm Guatemalan-American, born and raised in Guatemala City. I graduated high school in 2019 and in 2020, I started studying in Lund where I did a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies with a major in Sociology. I graduated in the spring of 2023 and started the DRMCCA programme in the fall. I loved Lund so much that I had to stay an extra two years!"

Choosing Lund

Why did you choose Lund University and why did this particular programme appeal to you? 

"Lund University was recommended to me by people from all over Europe when I told them I wanted to study in Europe. They said that there was no better place if I wanted to be engaged academically and also socially; which sounds like a dream when you make such a big move right after high school. I decided to stay in Lund after my Bachelor's because I discovered the DRMCCA programme and realised I wanted to join the Engineering faculty (LTH) to gain new perspectives and experiences, as I have previously been at the social science union. The great thing about Lund is that there is always another union, group, nation or committee to join and discover – no matter how long you have been here."

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

"I can’t express enough how incredible the teaching staff and style is. The professors are such kind and smart practitioners with nothing but our best interests at heart. But more than that, I admire how every professor is a critical thinker and encourages us to critically analyse the world around us. They never stop learning and changing their perspectives with the changing times, and they teach us how to do just that. I know we learn from them, but I also know they take teaching as an opportunity to learn from the students, and we learn from our peers as well. My favourite courses would have to have been risk perception, critical issues in DRMCCA, and climate-smart adaptation, but honestly, it was hard to pick."

The teaching style and academic environment

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

"The teachers encourage such open and critical discussions based on relevant and well-sourced literature which provides us students with soft and hard skills that have proven essential during our internships and work opportunities. Plus, you know that you can learn from everyone in the class which motivates you to be active and present in all activities. The teachers also have a respectful yet approachable dynamic with all students, making it so that we are comfortable to give and receive feedback. But my biggest positive is that the exams and assignments allow us to choose the topics we are interested in and conduct our research, so we can always tailor the programme to our interests and aspirations."

What is the academic environment like?

Each course always includes relevant and topical guest lectures and workshops within their courses, but they also offer us external opportunities which allow us to network and get a glimpse of the work field starting from day one. One of my favorite moments was in our Preparedness and Planning course where the teacher asked us to choose the topic of our guest lecture. The courses are made to be flexible to the changing times so everything we learn feels grounded in reality and relevant. 

Practical experiences

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

"There have been plenty of group work and seminars where we get to play the part of a practitioner in the field, and we are treated as such. Additionally, the programme offers an elective period where you can, like me, join a drone course with the Lund School of Aviation and fly and work with multiple different drones and learn about their possible applications in our field. But you could choose elective courses such as critical infrastructure, Geographic Information Systems, or Logistics Supply Chain Management where you can gain knowledge on software and statistics programmes and strategies used in the field. During this same time, you could do an internship (almost anywhere in the world) and gain a completely different type of hands-on experience. This programme is very customizable to your preferences."

Learn more about the field-based internship course

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

"The DRMCCA programme has an alumni network and association where previous students can share what they have been up to and also it is a way for us current students to gain contacts and advice in the field. Plus, the teachers are happy to share opportunities they have found over their extensive and impressive time in the field. The programme also offered me letters of recommendation and all the necessary tools which helped me receive a summer internship at the Guatemalan National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED). Additionally, during the job fairs organised by the Faculty of Engineering (LTH), there are also dozens of companies that offer Master's thesis opportunities if you would like to apply our learnings to a specific field or business."

Being an international student in Lund

What is it like to be an international student at Lund University and how international is your programme? 

"Considering how many students there are in this university you are never alone, through the highs and lows. The university knows international students are here and they create social and academic opportunities for us to develop ourselves. In addition, you can learn from so many different perspectives on life if you take the time to listen to others. I may not have travelled all over the world but I have tried food from all over the globe at potlucks, dinners, and picnics here in Lund. And I’ve heard stories and engaged with histories that are not always taught back home. My class is around 30 people yet we represent over 18 different countries!"

What are the highlights of your time here so far?

"I never thought I would get to go to a gala in a fancy ball gown, let alone travel around Scandinavia representing the university at other university galas, but after being in Lund I’m up to around 10 galas (and have amassed an impressive ball gown collection). But while the big shiny events, like the tandem bike race from Gothenburg to Lund, are undoubtedly cool and form memories that will last a lifetime; It's in the small trip to the grocery store with friends, or the ability to have impromptu movie nights with your class, or running into someone at the library and having a fika together to destress, that add to the everyday magic of Lund."

Advice for applicants and future plans 

What are you planning to do after your studies?

"I would love to stay in Sweden (or close by) to stay connected with my friends and the professional connections I have made while in Lund. I would also love to do a PhD in the field sometime shortly. I do not doubt that with the help of the DRMCCA association and staff, I will be able to build a job profile that allows me to pursue these dreams."

If you would recommend Lund to someone, what would you say?

"There's never a boring day here unless you want that. If you want a chill cosy day to study there are so many study spots and activities where you can relax (such as game cafes or knitting nights); if you want something more action-packed you can join a sports club, a hiking group, an extreme sports society; and if you want to be with you friends you can hang out at cafes, nations, unions, corridors, balls – you name it, and they have it. Sure the cold may not be my ideal weather, but my philosophy while living here has been: what's a bit of cold and darkness if you have the right people to brighten and warm up your day?"

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

"I know this university will not be for everyone, but if you are someone who sees your Master's studies as an opportunity to develop yourself both socially and personally outside of academia (as well as learn from the best of the best in the field of DRMCCA), I can’t imagine Lund not being one of the top places for that. If this is something you want out of a Master’s programme, my only advice is to apply and be yourself in your motivation letter; you will come here and be valued for who you are as a whole, not just in academia, so don’t be afraid to show the faculty who you are."