Swedish Hanna is pursuing a global master's programme at KI
Hanna Gräs, 24, has always had a passion for medicine and research. How she would get there, however, was not as clear. From growing up in a Stockholm suburb to studying in the English-taught master's programme in translational physiology and pharmacology, her ongoing journey towards a career in life sciences is both exciting and challenging.
Hanna grew up in Åkersberga, just outside Stockholm, where she lived with her parents and several pets until the age of 22. That’s when she moved to the city centre with her partner to study at KI’s Swedish-taught biomedical analyst bachelor’s programme (BMA). Yet, her interest in medicine and research was sparked long before that.
"When I was 14, I wrote a biology test about drugs and the so-called 'lock and key' principle. Since then, I have been determined to engage in research", she says.
The path to a global master's programme
That the first step towards a master's degree was going to be the biomedical analyst programme was not as obvious. Nor was which master's programme to choose.
"For a long time, I thought a master's in biomedicine was my only path to a research career. Since I didn't have extensive research experience, except for one research school, I didn't get into the biomedicine master's directly after the BMA bachelor’s. But I did get in to a master's programme in medical research at Uppsala universitet and started studying there", Hanna recalls.
However, she longed back to both Stockholm and KI. Therefore, she left the programme and started working while waiting for the application for KI's master's programmes to open. After a conversation with a professor at KI, she realised that there were several interesting master's programmes that could suit her.
"The point of the master's programme in translational physiology and pharmacology is, in my opinion, to understand how the body works, why disease occurs and is treated. What decided me to choose this programme was the opportunity to combine my interest in life sciences and project management with a continued open door to a future research career".
A different application process
It was not a straightforward path to get in to this programme. For example, programmes with English as language of instruction are applied for in an earlier application round than programmes with Swedish as the language of instruction. The eligibility requirements can also differ between programmes. On top of that, Hanna had heard from other students that it was very difficult to get in to KI’s master’s programme, and as stated, she didn't make it the first time she applied.
"When I didn't get in on my first attempt, I contacted KI admissions for feedback. They helped me understand what parts of the application I needed to work on to meet the entry requirements for the master's programme in translational physiology and pharmacology," she explains.
Studying in a language other than your first
Despite initial concerns about studying in a language other than her mother tongue, pursuing an English-taught programme is going very well.
"At first, I thought it would be difficult, especially since I had learned all the medical terms in Swedish. But it has gone surprisingly well, actually. I'm not a language expert at all, but you get used to it quickly," says Hanna.
New perspectives in a global classroom
Studying a global programme, with students from many different countries, has also been an enriching experience for Hanna.
"It is incredibly rewarding to study with people from all over the world. Discussing with students who have different backgrounds, both geographically and from various medical educations, provides new perspectives and insights in what you can work with after the programme. You learn a lot from each other, which makes the studies both developing and inspiring," she says.
A bright future in research and life science
In the short term, Hanna wants to pursue doctoral education, also known as PhD studies. In the long term, she wants to work with project management in medical technology or biotechnology.
"But I keep the door open for other opportunities as well. We have had lectures that highlight possible future career choices, and we are encouraged to contact lecturers we find interesting to explore the possibility of working in their labs. Additionally, my upcoming course includes several study visits where we get to see different laboratory environments," she adds.
The best things about studying a global master's programme, according to Hanna:
- The global perspective you get from having classmates from all over the world.
- Learning from skilled researchers and lecturers, whom you probably wouldn't have met otherwise.
- The international network and career opportunities, both within and outside KI, that you build during the programme.
- Learning medical terms in English, which is invaluable in a career in life sciences and research.