“My experience at Stockholm University taught me all I know about research”

Elisa works as Project Administrator for two big research projects related to climate extremes, natural hazards and disasters at the Faculty of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University.

“My experience at Stockholm University taught me all I know about research, which informs everything I do now. Personally, the content of my MA has changed my worldview towards a more informed and critical vision of world affairs.”

Elisa Viteri, a former master's student from Spain. Photo: Private

What was it like being an international student at Stockholm University?

“It was a very good experience in general. I had access to very different courses, which I appreciated very much as I wanted to get as many courses as possible in gender studies. This flexibility made me take courses from different departments, which paid off at the end of my studies, with a solid interdisciplinary profile. The teachers were incredibly professional and available to the students, and the general atmosphere was open for discussion in a very constructive way.”

What made you choose Stockholm University for your studies? Did your experience match your expectations?

“Because they offered the MA that I was looking for due to my previous studies in translation (Arabic) and my professional experience as a humanitarian worker in the Middle East and North African region. I also chose it because of its location. I did not know what to expect, as at the time I did not know much about the university or the Swedish education system. I was very satisfied with the perspectives offered in the course, the openness to questions and critics of established knowledge, and the flexibility offered in order to make family life compatible with your studies. This is not very common in other countries.”

What do you think of your learning experience at Stockholm University? Was it different from your other study experiences?

“Learning here gives you a great deal of flexibility, which makes it easier to have a balanced life, inside and outside of the university. The Stockholm University library gives the best service that I have ever seen in a university, and makes your learning experience limitless in terms of resources. This made a difference, as I did not have to spend big sums of money on books, or spend long hours looking for otherwise unattainable material. The examination method also made me learn more, as they are based on smaller essays that cover a great deal of the syllabus, which prepares you towards your MA thesis. I can say it was a much more comfortable and enriching experience.”

How did your studies prepare you for work life?

“I already had work experience before I came into Stockholm University. For me, it has prepared me for work in academia, and has given me an attention to detail, especially sources of information. It has also broadened my horizons in terms of interdisciplinarity. It has also helped me to understand the importance of method, and the implications methods have in any study.”