Through a Minor Field Studies (MFS) scholarship, Carin travelled to Nepal to conduct fieldwork for her master’s thesis. There, she spent two months meeting local communities and exploring how people experience climate vulnerability and how these experiences are reflected in local decision-making.
A different way of studying
After completing her bachelor’s degree in Italy, Carin started looking for master’s programmes abroad. Sweden quickly caught her attention – not only because of the country itself, but because of the educational approach.
“In Sweden, education feels more interactive. You discuss, reflect and apply knowledge instead of only memorising facts.”
She enrolled in the International and European Relations Master’s Programme and says one of the biggest surprises was the relationship between students and teachers.
“The professors really want to get to know you. They remember your name and encourage discussions. That felt very different to my previous experience.”
Outside the classroom, student life became an important part of settling into a new country.
“I came here alone, but I met people from all over the world. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
In the field: when research becomes real
In Nepal, research suddenly became something very different from reading articles and writing papers.
Carin travelled across several districts together with local partners and translators to carry out interviews for her thesis.
Some conversations focused on climate impacts. Others became deeply personal.
“At times it was emotionally difficult. But it also made me realise how much we take for granted.”
The fieldwork gave her insights that would have been impossible to gain from a classroom.
She describes the experience as both challenging and transformative.
“You meet people who have very little but still show incredible generosity and resilience.”
More than a degree
Now approaching graduation, Carin is writing the final chapters of her thesis and looking ahead.
Teiksma Buseva
The experience in Nepal confirmed something she had already started to feel during her time at Linköping University – that she wants to continue working internationally and stay close to people and communities.
“This experience showed me that this is what I want to do.”
For students considering studying abroad, her advice is simple:
“Be open to new experiences. You never know where they might take you.”
