A new artistic impression

For Alice Van the chance to do something completely different took her to the School of Design and Crafts (HDK) in Gothenburg. The 26-year-old interior design graduate from Australia traveled half way around the world for the experience.

Alice attended Swinburne University in Melbourne, an exchange partner with HDK, which is how she found out about the chance to study in Sweden. The open master’s course she signed up for is intended for those with a design background, allowing students develop their existing skills and learn new ones.
   
“I was fascinated by what other students were doing;” she says. “It ranged from graphic design and illustration to product design and ceramics.” Alice was able to delve into new spheres such as curating, stage design and photography.

“It’s a real bonus because it expands your field which gives you more opportunities,” she adds. “I had no problem adapting; I was actually having a lot of fun.”

Alice Van, 26, Australia, Master's degree in Design at the School of Design and Crafts (HDK) in Gothenburg. Photo: Alice herself

Alice believes that taking yourself out of your comfort zone academically mirrors the experience you get from studying abroad. “I would always encourage students to try something they are not familiar with,” she says. “You always gain something, you don’t lose much; and the more experience you have the more you know yourself.”

Since graduating in 2008 she has stayed in Gothenburg, her home from home today. “I had few expectations but the country made a big impression on me,” she says. “I was motivated to come to Sweden because I knew it was so different from Australia. Now I consider it my second home.”

The mystery of Sweden solved

There had always been something mysterious and attractive about the Nordic countries for Lu Peng, 27, from China. “I knew they were very developed, known for their welfare and a stable education system but more so because of the brands and music,” he says. “I listened to ABBA and The Cardigans in high school and knew about companies such as Ikea and Volvo.”

It was important for Lu to study abroad. “A lot of people tend to stay in their own environment, they don’t want to change a lot,” he says. “Traveling enriches your experiences so it’s something that’s always been on my mind.”

Lu Peng, 27, China, Master’s degree in International Supply Chain Management, Jönköping University. Photo: Patrik Svedberg

He chose a master’s course in International Supply Chain Management at Jönköping University and graduated in 2008. The program also offered Lu the chance to study in the US for six months, on an MBA course at the University of California, Davis. “My Swedish education was looked upon as an asset in America,” he says. “Sweden has an advantage because all the universities have a good reputation — there are no bad universities.”

Lu’s time in Sweden has given him a valuable qualification and had a personal impact along the way. “I came with Chinese roots but an open heart to embrace things,” he says. “Swedes have many values — openness, humbleness and friendliness — and those will stay with me.” 
 
His story with Sweden continues in a professional capacity, working at Ikea in Shanghai as a supply chain specialist. “The company culture has a Swedish influence so it’s a perfect combination for me,” he adds. And occasional business trips to Ikea headquarters make for a welcome return to Sweden. “I take a deep breath the minute I step off the plane and it’s a very warm feeling.”

The right environment

Ask Fernando Méndez from Bolivia why he chose Sweden to study his master’s in Sustainable Energy Engineering. It’s a question he’s heard many times since graduating from Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in 2005.

“Sweden is one of the most developed countries in terms of alternative energy and it’s a subject I’m passionate about,” he says. “So I wanted more first-hand knowledge from Swedes.”

Fernando Méndez, 30, Bolivia, Master's degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering, KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology. Photo: Claudia Canelas

The classroom environment also suited Fernando. “The course was challenging, with plenty of study visits and lab hours,” he says. “But it was the right mix of practical work and theory with lots of people from different countries learning from each other.”

Moved by the strong winters and the lack of oil resources, Sweden has developed a reputation on the sustainable energy stage. And speaking of the weather, Fernando has a few words of warning for prospective students. “If you come from a warm country like me, you have to be prepared to cope with the cold temperatures,” he says. Yet, Fernando learned to love the snow during a trip to the far north of Sweden and enjoyed a warm summer spent in the countryside.

“My message would be that it’s an overwhelming experience,” he says. “But you’ve got to go there, see it and experience it for yourself. Sweden is a great choice because there’s everything an international student would like to have.”

Indeed, Fernando has encouraged his former university in Bolivia to start partnering with KTH and it’s already paying off. “The first group of distance learning students in Bolivia is currently taking the same master’s degree I did,” he says. “That’s probably the most important thing I’ve done since I finished.”