At Fysikum, Eleonora studied on the Bachelor's Programme in Physics.
"After that I did a Master of Advanced Study in Applied Mathematics at Cambridge and will do a PhD in Mathematical Physics at Oxford University in England."

Intensive study with many lectures at Cambridge

"Studying at Cambridge has been very different compared to Sweden and I think I have been strengthened very much. For three semesters we studied three to four courses per semester, and could have two to three lectures per day. And the lectures were also on Saturdays! It was very intense. I think all my waking hours were spent studying, which I didn't experience at Fysikum. There I felt like I could still pursue my hobbies while I had to give up some of them now. In Sweden, it is common to have two exam periods per semester, and at Cambridge four per year. The programme I studied had all exams at the end of the year, i.e. in June. It ended up with about 6 exams for me! Very challenging. In retrospect, I don't really understand how I managed it. I like to take my time and I felt that my bachelor studies at Fysikum made me process the material better, while I had to stress quite a lot during this year. However, I got to take very cool courses; everything from general relativity to supersymmetry and string theory. At an extremely high level, and taught by leading physicists in the field.

How have you met the challenges?

"It has been a year where I have become extremely disciplined and found my limits when it comes to study techniques. I started logging the time I spent studying, writing down clear schedules of the order in which I would process material. It has also been even more important to really make time for myself. I left every Sunday free, which to my surprise was quite unusual here, to socialise with friends, visit other cities and follow my TV shows. I think this, combined with a clear structure, is what got me through it."

Studying abroad gives you friends from other countries

"It has been great fun to discover a new country! Sweden and England are very similar culturally, but you discover differences from time to time, which I have appreciated. I have also enjoyed speaking English and getting to know people from different countries. I feel very grateful to belong to a big university and to experience a student bubble. There was another Swede at my college, and some Swedes at the whole university, and we have done different things together. For example, we watched the Melodifestivalen final! It's very fun to be Swedish abroad, I don't think I've really felt a strong identity linked to Sweden, but it's quite fun to feel that you're from the "north" and can break stereotypes like there are no polar bears walking in the streets... There are a lot of Swedes in the UK, a lot of Facebook groups and there are many Facebook groups and there is also a Swedish weekend school in Cambridge, where you can feel a bit of Swedishness. But I do ask my family to bring a lot of salted milk rice when they come to visit.

What are your future plans?

"I'm going to take a sabbatical to teach before my PhD because I feel like I need a break from school to recharge for the next four years. Then I want to continue researching in academia."

What recommendations do you have for physics students at Fysikum?

"It is important for me to convey that I did not think I would get into any of the programmes I applied for. My interview for Oxford was very tough and I was surprised to be offered the position. Therefore; don't be afraid to aim higher than you feel comfortable with! Then I recommend enjoying not having lectures on weekends while you can hehe. And prioritise study technique!"

More information

Contact Eleonora Svanberg

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Naturvetarpodden with Eleonora Svanberg (In Swedish)

Bachelor programme in physics at Fysikum (180 credits)

Master Programme in Physics at Fysikum (120 credits)