Experiences of our MSc student Hanna Dunke in Stockholm

25 April 2022

Photo: private

Hanna Dunke, one of our students in the Master's program Integrated Climate System Sciences, spent the past semester in Stockholm, Sweden. Read here about her exciting experiences!

• How far in advance did you start to prepare your stay abroad?

I started pretty soon after I started the master program. It is important to keep in mind that the deadline for Erasmus is always in January, no matter if you want to go abroad in the summer or winter semester.

• Where did you get support with respect to the organization as well as finances?

The Erasmus coordinator from the Meteorology Department at the University of Hamburg was my official correspondent. Finances were organized by the Erasmus office of the University.

• What was your everyday life like? and how does it differ from your everyday life on the campus Hamburg?

Since Sweden had less strict restrictions the student life was very “normal”. I lived in a student accommodation near the University and my classes were mainly on campus. I would say that the main difference was the closeness to university and then of course the normal student life which was possible there (Meet-ups, Pub crawls, parties etc.).

• What fascinated you the most during the semester abroad?

To meet people from so many different countries and the atmosphere it created in the student dorm. Also, the landscape and in general the beauty of Sweden and especially Stockholm. It was a great opportunity to really get to know another country and to experience international student life.

• To what extent does the experience helps you to broaden your scientific knowledge? Were you able to get to know new aspects of climate science and if so, which?

It was very interesting to take classes at a Swedish University because the teaching structure is quite different from German Universities. Swedish classes felt more like school i.e., there was mandatory attendance and regular deadlines. At the same time, courses there are often more practical oriented. We did field excursions and had laboratories. In this sense it was quite interesting and also valuable to experience this different teaching style and I am sure that it also broadened my scientific knowledge.

• What do you take with you from the semester abroad? (either personally or career wise)

As mentioned above, I think that it was very valuable to experience the different teaching approach in Sweden. This in combination with on-campus classes gave me the feeling of actually having a normal student life. Personally, I also appreciate the people I was able to meet abroad. Thanks to Erasmus and the semester abroad I now know people in many different countries, and I am sure we will see each other again, either in Germany or another country.