Graduation is the end of one chapter but the start of a brand new one. Three SI scholars reflect on their time in Sweden, how it's changed them and how they will use their experience in the future.

 

Farjana Bilkis

 

 

Agricultural Economics and Management MA, SLU Uppsala

Originally from Bangladesh

I was looking for an opportunity because higher studies are always quite expensive in a foreign country from a developing country like ours. So I was looking for opportunities, I'd searched in Germany and other countries. Then, I found the SI scholarship and applied here since I am professional so I had experience and that was a requirement. So it was matching thats why I applied and got the scholarship.

 

What has been your impression of Sweden? 

 

It was excellent and it has been a turning point in my life after coming here. After coming here with all the educational method, culture, diversity, and the help from the teachers, it has been very different. Overall, the whole package was really life changing! Now I can see life from a different perspective. My motivations have changed; everything has changed because now I see the world as a whole.

 

What do you plan to do following graduation? 

 

I have the knowledge so now I want to get some experience. I am looking for a research job now. I'll try to find good researching activities here in Sweden.

 

How will you use what you’ve learned over the course of your two-year MA?

 

A big thing we have got from here is the alumni network. It is really very big and it is actually helping sharing knowledge with each other. Since I say that in my country, we didn't have that much opportunity for research, so I want to go back there and start researching. Since I am a student of Agricultural Economics and Management and our country is an agriculture-based country, I want to actually work there for agricultural development. I have a business background so I want to make a good marketing link between the farmers and consumers.

 

What insights do you have to share with current and future SI scholars?

 

I will say for future students, you don't know how quickly time flies! After two years now it feels like it's gone very quickly. I think 'I could have done that better' or maybe spread my network more. Use every moment wisely!

 

Keitumetse Tsubane

 

 

Ecotoxicology MSc at University of Gothenburg

Originally from Lesotho in Southern Africa

 

How did you first hear about the SI scholarship?

 

I was looking through a lot of opportunities to study further. I stumbled across Sweden and although I hadn't heard a lot about Sweden, I thought, 'Let's see what it has!'. So I researched the SI scholarship and it looked really interesting. I figured I'd just see how it worked out. Then I learned that I am the first from Lesotho!

 

What has been your impression of Sweden?

 

There's a lot of fika! The culture shock but now I'm adapted to it. Learning to be alone and enjoying one's own company. But the nature is amazing! The greenery is amazing. Mostly the nature I must say is really captivating. The Gothenburg archipelago is beautiful. In summer last year, I spent the whole summer here, so I did a lot of going out to the parks and beaches. But when you go to the beach here I learned people are basking in the sun, not actually getting into the water!

 

What's next for you?

 

I'm planning to go back home because I was working back home. So I'm planning to leave the country and start off where I left. But mostly starting off a youth project, I'm a group leader in a project called Young Leaders. I focus on the environment. I shall go back and see how I can implement some of the things I’ve learned here.

 

How do you feel about leaving?

 

I don't really want to think about it! I've made a lot of great friends in and outside of school. So picking up and leaving is somewhat sad. But thinking about all the things you want to do where you come form, that also is inspiring!

 

How will you use what you've learned here in Sweden?

 

We don't have a lot of toxicology studies at home. But we need them. I was at a conference two weeks back sponsored by the university. I was presenting my work in Cape Town so the discussions we had with other scientists I realised there's a lot of work here to be done in terms of research. Trying to motivate academia to invest in research, trying to motivate private institutions to invest in research with industries because industries are just about the money mostly but its also good for them to invest in research and see the kind of impact they have on the environment and how that will reflect ten years later. Because we only focus on what is going to happen now but not the future. 

 

What have you learned about Swedish values?

 

Sweden is very strict when it comes to taking care of the environment. They have trees all over and im impressed with the efficient recycling practices! 

 

Did you recycle before?

No but I will try. Its very hard. Heres it easy because you find three bins four bins like that. But at home its just one bin so you think ‘where should I put this’ and also what happens when you sort it out at the recycling plant. There isn’t always one and there doesn’t always have to be but there can be a group of people. At home we are using a lot 

 

Implementing good recycling habits and also what to do with it after. The most important thing is what next after you have the cans and plastic. What’s next?

 

Olga Kuchmiienko

 

 

Investment Treaty Arbitration MA at Uppsala University

Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine

 

How did you first hear about the Swedish Institute scholarship?

 

I think that the first time I heard was through my friend who studied here in Lund five or six years ago. Then I heard about SI and about Uppsala and this program, I realised I really want to study here because I'd already practiced international arbitration before. And It was really good to take the next step in my professional development. 

 

What has been your impression of Sweden?

 

I am really overwhelmed and delighted with Sweden. I enjoyed it so much, I've really met good people here and felt really comfortable and relaxed. For me, Sweden is no stress! It's about sustainability, fika, relaxation, no stress, and just really marvellous people. 

 

What's next for you?

 

I plan to stay in Sweden for some time. Now I am doing my internship in Bombardier transportation in Stockholm. It is a big transnational company that produces trains and signalling systems. Before I worked with international arbitration and trade so I really wanted to resume more arbitration and international trade experience. I think that it is good opportunity to proceed in my aim and it will help me to reach my long-term goals to develop international arbitration and international trade in Ukraine taking into account the best Swedish practices.

 

Do you feel that Swedish values have changed you?

 

Yes! I think Swedish values for me is having no stress and being able to relax. Swedish people are always very pleasant and helpful and society is always aimed to help everybody and to place all people equally and help them fulfil their potential. I really want to contribute to these values as well and spread them all over the world and in Ukraine!

 

I cannot thank SI enough for the opportunity to be here. This amazing year and the amazing people I met here — the NFGL and SI and Sweden. I will use this experience to contribute to the development of Ukraine and other countries.