International master’s students meet to discuss children’s issues

The students on the Master’s Programme in Child Studies usually study remotely, from all over the world. During the two-year programme, they meet at Campus Valla on three occasions to participate in joint seminars, lectures and group work. The last week of February, both the first and second year students gathered in Linköping for one of these campus weeks.

Miranda travelled from Canada

One of the students, Miranda Andrews, travelled from Canada to attend the programme’s campus-based week.
“I think it’s fantastic to come here and be able to meet all my fellow students and teachers in person. And it’s great to be in Sweden and experience Swedish food and culture, of course. In addition to my studies, I also have a full-time job and children, so it feels good to come here and just focus on my studies for a whole week,” says Miranda Andrews.

The week on campus provides a sense of community

Course coordinator Lina Söderman Lago explains that the purpose of meetings on campus is to promote a sense of community among the students.
“It’s a good way to create a greater sense of belonging and make the students feel that they are part of a student group, where you otherwise only meet each other via a screen or a comment thread. They get the opportunity to discuss different things more in depth and to share their experiences and perspectives, which often challenges both the students and us teachers,” says Lina Söderman Lago.

A diversity of perspectives on children and young people

The students on the programme come from many different countries, which gives rise to dynamic discussions and comparisons between different cultures in relation to children. Student Abby Andersson shares her insights from her background in Malaysia.
“I live in Sweden but grew up in Malaysia where the attitude to children’s rights and upbringing is very different. Malaysian children have higher demands on them, are expected to receive high grades at school and often have packed schedules with extra courses, which gives them less free time. This contrast to the more relaxed Swedish attitude became extra clear when I brought my own children to Malaysia. On the other hand, many of my foreign friends are surprised by the strong focus on children’s rights in Sweden and the more lax attitude to raising children we have here,” says Abby Andersson.

Interdisciplinary approach

Child Studies is a Master’s programme that explores children’s social, cultural and material conditions across the globe. The programme has an interdisciplinary approach to examining issues related to the overall theme of children and young people.

“At the beginning of the programme, we look at issues concerning children and young people from the aspect of more traditional disciplines, such as history and sociology. From the second semester, the programme takes on a more interdisciplinary character, where we examine various issues such as children’s health and children’s rights, without limiting ourselves to the theories and methods of individual disciplines,” says Lina Söderman Lago.

“By combining distance learning with face-to-face meetings, Child Studies creates a dynamic educational environment that suits many. The programme opens doors to various career opportunities where you can make significant contributions in children’s issues, either within organisations or through a research career, no matter where in the world you are,” concludes Lina Söderman Lago.