Meet Laurie Maher from Wicklow, Ireland

What is your educational background?

I studied Law and French (LLB (Ling.franc.)) as an undergraduate degree in Trinity College Dublin which included an Erasmus year at Sciences Po Paris.

How did you find our master’s programme?

I came across this programme while researching various international human rights law and international law programmes online. I had been hoping to find a two-year LLM programme and this seemed like the perfect fit! 

What was it like to apply for our master’s programme?

I found the application process quite straightforward – the requirements were very clear, and the university admissions website was easy to use. They also contacted me directly, before the deadline, when they saw that my application was missing information which I really appreciated. 

How was your move to Lund?

I chose to arrive on Arrival Day, and this proved to be a great decision! There were student representatives at the airport and at the train station who were able to help with any questions that we had and who could guide us in the right direction. The numerous orientation activities, talks and events being run around that time also helped to make the move easier. 

How was the process of finding housing in Lund?

Finding housing was tricky but it is manageable as long as you don’t leave things too late and are persistent! I started looking in early May and was able to secure something well before I moved. There is a wide variety in the type of accommodation available which helps, and many people choose to live outside of Lund in places like Malmö.   

How is the study environment at the programme?

The study environment in the programme is great, everyone is enthusiastic about the field and collaborates well because of this. 

The student body in the programme is very international which means that there is a wide range of perspectives and experiences to be shared. 

How many lectures and seminars do you have on a weekly basis?

On average, we have around six hours of classes per week; a mix of both lectures and seminars. This can vary from week to week as our schedule changes weekly. For each of these contact hours though there is, of course, lots of independent reading and study to be done! 

What is the most challenging, and what is the best thing with your programme?

The best part about the programme is the interaction with the other students and professors. The programme is interactive and engaging with many small group discussions, so there are plenty of opportunities to share experiences. 

The most challenging aspect has been time management as there is a lot of self-studies required, but once you have a routine this becomes second nature! 

How does studying here in Lund differ from studying in your home country?

The main difference between studying at Lund and my experience of studying in Ireland is that in Lund we only study one module at a time, whereas before I had up to six at a time. I like the approach in Lund as it gives you the time to get more in depth into the subject and we usually only have to focus on one assignment or exam at a time. 

What is it like to live in Sweden?

Although there are many things that are different to Ireland, I really like living in Sweden and I think that it has been an easy transition. It is quite easy to travel from here, both within and outside Sweden, and there are plenty of activities to do within Lund as a student as well. The efficiency of the public administration is great, and the opportunity to learn Swedish through the Swedish for Immigrants programme helps the integration process. 

What is it like to be an international student at Lund University?

Being an international student at Lund University is a lot of fun! You have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, to exchange cultures and experiences and to explore Sweden together. 

The international student body is big, so it is easy to meet like-minded people or people who share your interests. There are a number of student groups and organisations that run events for international students, which is also a fantastic way to meet people and to get involved in student life. 

How do you experience the student life in Lund?

Lund has a very active student life – from the nations and associations and their events to different sports activities, there is always a lot going on. I have become involved with the Lund University Academic Orchestra and activities like this are a wonderful way of meeting people outside the programme! 

What are your career goals after your graduation?

I am not entirely certain yet of the direction I want my career to go in, but the areas that interest me most are those working in the international sphere, be that international organisation, NGOs, or similar. I think that this programme is a good foundation for this type of work because the collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute allows us to gain insights into the practical side of working in this field. 

Do you have any tips for prospective students coming to Lund?

The first and most important tip is to get a bike: it makes life in Lund much easier! Secondly, make sure that you get the most out of the programme – the professors are very approachable and there are huge numbers of extra resources and opportunities available.