As an international Master's student, continuing on to a PhD can pose unique challenges, from finding a position to navigating the various application processes that differ between universities. In this episode, host Timothy Parker speaks to Bénédicte Anthony, a graduate of Lund University's Master's in Development Studies, who now holds a PhD position at Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye, where she is engaged in research as part of the EU-sponsored International Dimensions and Effects of Populism doctoral network. Together they discuss how Bénédicte found and secured her PhD position, how the Turkish education system compares to her experience at Master's level in Sweden, the cultural and social differences she has encountered, and of course, her advice for other international students on how best to find and undertake a PhD of their own.
Doing an exchange during your studies at Lund University is a fantastic way to see and experience another country during your studies, even if you're already an international student in Sweden! But with so many exchange destinations available, how should you go about choosing the right one for you? In this episode, host Timothy Parker (LU Corporate Communications) catches up with three current Lund University students who have all been on exchange: Bianca Littorin Liljerehn, who studies the Bachelor's in Business and Administration and did an exchange to SIngapore; Emmie Eklund who did an exchange to Auckland, New Zealand; Sara Elmgart, who studies the Master's in Engineering Mathematics and did an exchange to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Together they discuss how they picked their destination for exchange studies and whether it lived up to their expectations, how they adapted to the society and culture of their host country during their exchange, what they learned from the experience, and of course, their advice for any other students considering an exchange as part of their studies.
While studying at Lund University is an exciting and enriching experience, many students will be equally concerned with what their next steps after graduation might look like. Aside from giving a world-class education, studying at Lund presents many opportunities to start networking and learning about future career paths, as well as some direct routes towards developing your career after you graduate. But with the graduate job market tougher than ever, there are challenges too! In this episode, we invited recently graduated students Areej Al-Sabban and Fabio Cavaliere to discuss their graduation and career plans, from the challenges they have faced and expect to face to the unique opportunities offered by living, studying, and working in Sweden. And of course, there's plenty of advice for current and future students on the steps you should be taking before and after graduation!
Looking for adventure or just a cosy day out once you've arrived in Sweden for your studies? In this episode, we've got you covered, as we dive into several great spots to go and see in the Skåne region around Lund - all of which can be reached via sustainable public transport. Host Timothy Parker (LU Corporate Communication) speaks to student guests Anna Charlotte (a graduate in Tourism, Development and Culture) and Xin Sui (studying the Master's in Sustainable Service Management), delving into their favourite and most memorable travel experiences in the local region, touching on the historic castle and gardens of Boskökloster, the beautiful coastal hiking trails of Kullaberg, the quaint streets of the town of Ystad, and much, much more. They also discuss the best ways to travel locally with public transport and cycling, as well as saving money while you're at it!
Moving to Sweden and settling into life in Lund is a different experience for all international students moving away from home, and in this episode we focus on students coming to Sweden from Ukraine, as we speak to two current Ukrainian students at Lund University who share their experience since starting their studies. Host Daniel Gunnarsson is Lund University's Regional Recruitment Manager working with Ukrainian students, and our guest panel features Maya Maliutina (studying the international Bachelor's programme in Economy and Society) and Rostik Kozak (studying the international Master's programme in Service Management, Supply Chain Management). Together they discuss the major differences between the Swedish and Ukrainian education systems, the process of moving to Sweden, finding Ukrainian foods and ingredients in Lund, and their plans for the future after completing studies. And of course, Maya and Rostik share their advice for prospective students, whether you're coming from Ukraine or elsewhere!
Hub AI is a student-led organisation at Lund University dedicated to intersectional discussion and exploration of artificial intelligence (AI). They organise events such as guest lectures and panel discussions, practical sessions like Python workshops, and social events for a thriving community drawn from students of all disciplines. In this episode, current student and host Fabio Cavaliere is joined by two of Hub AI's board members, who are also current Lund University students: Head of External Partnerships Herman Barzangi, and Head of Education Johan Jönsson. Together they discuss how Hub AI started and its core mission, Herman and Johan's activities as part of the board for Hub AI, the benefits of participating in the organisation, and how students of any discipline can get involved and contribute.
For more information about Hub AI, visit their website at hubai.se
The northeastern Brunnshög area of Lund is home to MAX IV Laboratory, a Swedish national synchrotron laboratory hosted by Lund University that has operated since 2016. This striking donut-shaped building hosts thousands of users from academia, industry, research institutes and government agencies worldwide every year, supporting innovation and research in materials and life sciences. In this episode, host Timothy Parker (LU Corporate Communication) speaks to two special guests joining us from MAX IV Laboratory: Marjolein Thunnissen, Senior Life Science Advisor, and Magnus Larsson, Head of the Industrial Relations Office. Together they discuss what MAX IV Laboratory does and the facilities it offers, the research that are conducted there and the methods used, their respective roles in supporting and facilitating the users hosted by MAX IV, and more.
Lund University is known for having some of the best student life in northern Europe, with a unique experience offered by nations and student unions, free cultural activities, sports, beautiful Skåne nature, and proximity to Malmö and Copenhagen for the big-city nightlife. But don't just take our word for it! In this episode, student worker Megan hosts for a panel of three current international students at LU: Fleur from the Netherlands, Megan from Guatemala, and Filipa from Portugal. Together they discuss how they've made the most out of their free time while studying at Lund, including great affordable activities for a student budget, how to balance studies and personal time, travel and hiking in and around the Skåne region, keeping fit, museums, and of course, those unmissable Swedish seasonal activities like Lucia and Valborg.
Lund might not be on a river or the coast, but that hasn't stopped the LU Rowing Club from thriving. Part of the larger Malmö Rowing Club, the LU Rowing Club gets the benefit of Lund's proximity to coastal Malmö, and welcomes members of all ages and levels of experience, whether you're an avid rower or just trying it out for the first time. In this episode, host Fabio Cavaliere dives into the LU Rowing Club with three representatives from the association: Sofia, who is a board member of the Malmö Rowing Club, and two current LU students, Max and Paula. Together they discuss what rowing is and the benefits of the sport, how the club trains, what it costs, and how you can get involved. Plus, they share their experiences of rowing in the club and their advice for new international students that might be interested in joining.
You can find out more about the LU Rowing Club over at their Facebook page, Lunds Universitets Roddklubb, or follow @luroddklubb on Instagram.
Lund University's International Desk - also called the Student Reception - is a catch-all service designed to be the first point of contact for any and all queries, whether you're a student, prospective student, or just someone curious about Lund University! In this episode, we give a brief overview of what the International Desk does and who it's for, as host and current Master's student Megan Phillips speaks to three Student Relations Coordinators working at the International Desk: Maria Yartseva, Hanna Gustafzelius, and Zaccarias Reimarker. Together they discuss the role of the International Desk in answering questions or finding the right people to answer them, as well as their work in support of Arrival Days, and how all students are welcome to use the International Desk as a first point of inquiry for anything they're unsure or concerned about.
On the podcast, we've covered a lot on what Lund University has to offer its students, but what about support, guidance, and community from the local authority? The city of Lund (Lunds kommun, or Lund Municipality) is engaged in many initiatives and projects that aim to support internationals in the region, from helping them to settle in and find a community to learning Swedish and securing work. In this special double-length episode - the second of two parts - host Timothy Parker (LU Corporate Communications) was lucky enough to sit down with two different panels of guests, representing different projects associated with the City of Lund:
On the podcast, we've covered a lot on what Lund University has to offer its students, but what about support, guidance, and community from the local authority? The city of Lund (Lunds kommun, or Lund Municipality) is engaged in many initiatives and projects that aim to support internationals in the region, from helping them to settle in and find a community to learning Swedish and securing work. In this special double-length episode - the first of two parts - host Timothy Parker (LU Corporate Communications) was lucky enough to sit down with two different panels of guests, representing different projects associated with the City of Lund:
Engaging more than 400 researchers, students and staff from the faculties of engineering, science and medicine, NanoLund is Sweden's largest research environment for nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this episode, host Areej Al-Sabban (a current student and student worker at LU Global Engagement) speaks to three guests involved in NanoLund at different levels: Adam Burke, an Associate Professor in Solid State Physics, who is a Principal Investigator and outreach coordinator for NanoLund; Patrik Nilsson, a PhD student and student representative on the NanoLund board, and Pratik Bhagwat, a current Master's student in Photonics and a student member and volunteer for NanoLund.
Together they discuss the many facets of NanoLund, from its impact as a centre for nanoscience research and education to the social events and connections that help to support the student members through their studies and their own research projects, as well as events and other opportunities that can enrich student members' studies and skills. Make sure to listen for information on how to get involved as a student member or volunteer, and check out nano.lu.se for more!
Hosted by the Student Union of Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH), ARKAD is Scandinavia's biggest career fair, providing a venue for students of engineering, architecture, and adjacent disciplines to meet up to 175 exhibitors, including public and private-sector companies such as IKEA, AstraZeneca, Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval, and more. In this episode, host Timothy Parker (LU Communications) speaks to guests Maria Sörensson, who is a study and career guidance counsellor at the Faculty of Engineering, and Dhanashree Darade, who is an international student studying Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, and who has attended ARKAD twice. Together they discuss what ARKAD is and what you can get out of it, what to expect from the exhibitors, tips for networking and finding opportunities at the fair, and much more.
Did you know that Lund University has a student racing team? Lund Formula Student represents Lund University at official Formula Student competitions across the world every year, competing against other universities with top-class car designs that are developed and manufactured entirely by students. In this episode, host Fabio Cavaliere (a current student in European Affairs and a student worker at LU) speaks to two special guests about their involvement in the Lund Formula Student team: Leonid, a 5th-year student in Engineering and Mathematics with a specialism in Systems, Signals, and Controls, and Mattis, a 3rd-year student in Mechanical Engineering who is the technical leader for Lund Formula Student for 2025. Together they discuss how the team started, the design and manufacturing process of building a competition car, how students from any discipline - even non-technical, non-STEM - can get involved with the team, and some of their best experiences and the most valuable skills they've learned during their time with Lund Formula Student.
Copenhagen's proximity to Lund and the short commute time over the Öresund bridge makes the Danish capital a perfect place to find internships, exchange opportunities, and countless adventures during your time studying at Lund University. In this episode, host Megan Phillips (current student and student worker at LU Global Engagement) speaks to two current student guests: Rugare from Zimbabwe, who did an internship with the United Nations in Copenhagen, and Natalie from the United Kingdom, who did an exchange to Copenhagen during her Bachelor's. Together they discuss not just their specific experiences of an internship and exchange in Copenhagen, but also delve into Danish food and culture, making friends, dealing with the commute, and of course, their tips for students coming to Lund who are also interested in getting out and seeing more of our Danish neighbours!
Since 2017, Lund University has been a member of the The Conversation, a hub for accessible, cutting-edge research and analysis written by academics and researchers. In this episode, host Timothy Parker (LU Communications) speaks to guest Ellen Albertsdóttir, who works with research communication at Lund University and is the coordinator for Lund University's membership in The Conversation. Together they discuss her work coordinating with the LU staff writing in The Conversation, how and to what end academics and researchers write articles, and the importance of effective research communication, as well as why The Conversation is a great way to get familiar with Lund University's broad, multidisciplinary research output.
Founded in 2000, women's choir Bella Voce is one of Lund University's most prominent student choirs, regularly performing in Lund and having achieved international success in recent years at Interkultur's international choir competitions. In this episode featuring music from Bella Voce, host Fabio Cavaliere (LU Global Engagement) speaks to current LU students Katharina and Tilda about their experience singing in the choir. Together they discuss their respective roles and how they came to join the choir, Katharina's perspective as an international student, the kinds of songs and concerts the choir performs, and how new students can get involved with Bella Voce.
You can find out more about Bella Voce by following bellavoce.eu on Instagram or on their website.
Opening and closing music is taken with permission from Bella Voce's performance of Längtan till Landet (Vintern Rasat), performed in 2020.
Second-hand shopping is a fantastic way for students to save money and live more sustainably, and in Sweden, a strong culture of minimising waste means that you'll find a wealth of thrift stores, flea markets, and online retailers where you can buy second-hand without compromising on choice, style, or quality. In this episode, host Timothy Parker (LU International Office) speaks to Lund University students Bénédicte and Megan to get their best tips on shopping second-hand in Lund and beyond. Together they discuss the range of options students have available, what kinds of items you might want to trawl thrift stores for, reasons to shop second-hand before buying new, and of course, some of the best bargains they've found during their time in Sweden.
Although most international students studying at Lund University enjoy the convenience of living in Lund, Malmö, or elsewhere in Skåne, some EU students can - and do - choose to live just over the border in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, which is roughly an hour from Lund by train. In this episode, host Erik Kvist (LU External Relations) speaks to current students Daria and Sophie, both of whom live in Copenhagen and study the international Master's programme in Public Health. Together they discuss their decision to live in Copenhagen and finding a place, how the commute is between home and campus, the benefits and challenges of living in Denmark's capital, and much more.
Please note that it is only possible to live in Copenhagen while studying at Lund University if you are an EU citizen. If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a residence permit to study in Sweden, which means you must be resident in Sweden for the duration of your studies. You can of course travel freely to Copenhagen during your studies and many students regularly do so.
