“My passion for international affairs triggered me to apply for IAGG”
Huidong Song from China is an international student at the Master’s Programme in International Administration and Global Governance (IAGG). She loves the Swedish educational system, and the nature in Gothenburg.
Hello, can you tell us a little about yourself
Hi, my name is Huidong Song, you can call me Song or Shannon. I’m from Shanghai, China. Currently I’m doing my internship at Einride, a Swedish technology and transport company based in Stockholm and Gothenburg that specializes in electric and self-driving vehicles, as a product marketing intern. In my spare time, I like to hike and drink coffee with friends. I enjoy travelling and long road trips exploring what the world has to offer.
What made you interested in IAGG?
- My passion for international affairs triggered me to apply for IAGG
- 2-years master’s programme
- I have been an exchange student in Sweden before, and I love the Swedish educational system.
If you were to encourage somebody to apply to the programme, which attractive features would you emphasize?
Firstly, the programme’s course structure. The courses in the first semester will provide students with a solid background in international relations. In the other elective courses, you can choose based on your interests, which offers students flexibility and space to learn what they like.
Secondly, the programme admission requirement is 60 credits in related areas. This attracts lots of students with different bachelor’s backgrounds such as human rights, social science, and global studies.
Thirdly, the learning atmosphere is quite good. Professors, classmates, and other staff are all willing to help you. It means you can concentrate on studying and enjoying the student life here, instead of worrying.
What advice would you give somebody who is starting the programme and wants to get the most out of it?
If you are a student that does not have so much academic background in international relations, try to learn and read related materials before you are starting the programme. The study pace at this programme is fast, so having some basic knowledge about it in advance will help you to learn the ‘theoretical part’.
What is your opinion of the University of Gothenburg and the city of Gothenburg?
Since my first year is in the Covid situation, I haven’t fully experienced physical study. During the last semester we had some seminars on campus, and I think it was nice to gather around and share opinions.
Moreover, there are different libraries belonging to each faculty, and you can search the opening hours of each of them on the library’s website. It is always nice to have a place you can go to when you feel you cannot study effectively at home.
The City of Gothenburg is smaller than Stockholm, which is the reason why it makes more people feel like it is a sweet home. I love nature and the river in this city when the sun goes up, they are stunning in the sunlight!
How do you like to spend your leisure time?
When it comes to Sweden, I think that depends on the weather. On rainy days, I prefer to stay at home to watch TV series or movies and surf the internet to relax my ‘studying or working mode brain’.
More information
Name: Huidong Song.
Age: 24
From: Shanghai, China
Student at: The Master’s Programme in International Administration and Global Governance (IAGG).
Former education:
- Shanghai Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Management: Labor & Social Security, Sep 2016-Jul 2020.
- Singapore Institute of Technology, Short-term Exchange, Aug.20-24, 2019.
- Halmstad University (Sweden), Exchange Program (free, one semester), Sep.2018-Jan.2019.
Plans for the future: I hope I can work at an international organization, such as any division of the United Nations, to contribute my competencies to other people and society. And I would like to live in different countries and cities, to experience different kinds of life, and to see a wider world.
The University of Gothenburg with three words: Diversity, International, Chances.