Internationalisation from a student's perspective
Thinking about adding an international flavor to your studies? Internationalisation activities at the Department of Psychology are constantly developing in various areas. Not least, the number of incoming and outgoing exchange students has increased significantly in recent years. Sophia, who graduated from the International Psychology Master’s program Psychology in early 2024, is one of them.
From Germany to the Netherlands, the United States, Sweden, and Spain and back again, Sophia's academic journey reflects a strong commitment to internationalisation. Throughout her studies, she has maintained an international focus. She has left her home country Germany for both her bachelor and master’s degrees and she went on an exchange semester – twice!
– I pursued my bachelor’s degree in Groningen, the Netherlands, and did an exchange semester in Arizona. After spending some time back in Germany during COVID, I felt the urge to go abroad again, which led me to SU for my master’s, and, eventually, a semester abroad in Spain.
While I think the term internationalisation is difficult to grasp, as it feels abstract and broad, I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people from different countries and cultures.
What are you doing today?
– I’m currently living in Munich, my home city. After completing the International Psychology Master’s program at SU, I left Stockholm but continued collaborating with the Stress Research Institute to re-run my thesis analysis with additional data—a project I’m still involved in as data collection is ongoing. I plan to publish the results as soon as possible. Alongside this, I’m working in HR and plan to continue building my career in that area while maintaining a connection to academia.
Has internationalisation always been important to you?
– Fun fact: I conducted a project on “internationalisation” during my studies, interviewing people to explore the concept. While I think the term internationalisation difficult to grasp, as it feels abstract and broad, I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people from different countries and cultures.
What inspired you to take this international path?
– I consciously chose to study and work in international environments because they feel natural to me and offer many opportunities to learn and travel. I also come from a fairly international background, having lived in several countries. After high school, I thought it was the perfect time to continue exploring.
How do you look back at your time at Stockholm University?
– While I think the program could have been better organized, and some processes at SU were not accommodating for international students, the people I met on the program made it worthwhile and I still had a very positive experience.
Any core memories from your time in Sweden?
– I loved living in Stockholm and the city itself provided some of my favorite memories—many tied to living at Lappis. One of my favorite memories is celebrating Midsummer with my friends, which I’d highly recommend to any international students.
Read about Sophia's exchange in Madrid
Read about International two-year master’s program in psychology
Last updated: January 27, 2025
Source: Department of Psychology
