Meet Kruthika: a dental surgeon who wants to make a greater impact

Hello Kruthika! What made you apply to the programme?
“I trained and worked as a dental surgeon in India, which gave me a strong clinical foundation. Over time, I realised I wanted to make a bigger impact – beyond oral health and individual patients. I'm passionate about improving healthcare through research and healthcare policies that can help entire populations. This programme felt like the perfect way to link my clinical experience with public health, and to prepare for a future career in global health.”

Why did you choose to study in Sweden?
“I moved from India to Sweden for personal reasons, but I chose to study here because of Sweden’s world-class education. The teaching style encourages critical thinking, hands-on learning, and collaboration, which aligns perfectly with my passion for public health.”

What’s it like to study in Sweden, compared to your home country?
“Education in India is often highly structured and exam-focused, with a strong emphasis on achieving top grades. Whereas in Sweden the focus is on understanding concepts, questioning assumptions, and applying knowledge in real-world situations. The learning environment is more dynamic and encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.”

What’s the best/most challenging part of studying your programme?
“For me, it’s the diversity of both people and ideas. You get to work with students from different disciplines and countries, which makes group projects really engaging and rewarding. The challenge has been balancing the workload. The programme really encourages you to think deeply and apply what you learn, rather than just memorising facts to pass exams.”

What’s the best thing about your teachers?
“How approachable and supportive they are. They encourage us to question assumptions, challenge ideas and think critically. Their guidance makes classroom discussions lively and engaging, and I feel inspired to explore ideas beyond what’s in the textbooks.”

Is the programme easier or harder than you expected?
“It’s definitely challenging, but in a very rewarding way. I’m constantly encouraged to reflect and apply what I’ve learned to real-world public health issues. This approach pushes me to think critically, consider multiple perspectives, and develop practical skills that I know will be useful.”

What’s student life like?
“Student life in Gothenburg is vibrant and truly international. You meet people from all over the world, which makes every interaction interesting and enriching. There’s always something going on – from student events, cultural activities and seminars, to informal meet-ups. So it’s easy to make friends, explore new interests, and feel part of a lively community while studying.”

Have you done an internship yet? 
“Yes, I’m currently doing an Erasmus Traineeship as a clinical research intern at The Parker Institute at Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen. I’m involved in research projects in health promotion, disease prevention, and population health. It’s really exciting to get hands-on experience and to see how the theory I’ve learned is applied in a real-world setting. I get practical skills in study design, data collection and analysis. I also learn to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, which I know will be invaluable for my future career.”

Any advice for someone thinking about applying to the programme?
“I encourage anyone who’s curious about health and making a difference in the field to take the plunge and join this programme! It’s not just about public health – the knowledge and skills you gain can be applied in so many areas, from policy to community projects to global health initiatives. For me, it’s opened a whole new perspective and deepened my passion for improving health across society. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.”

What do you wish someone had told you when you were a new student?
“That it’s completely okay not to know everything from the start. This programme is designed to guide you, and your peers will be one of your greatest resources. Collaborating with them will teach you just as much as the courses, and you’ll grow a lot along the way.”

What do you want to do in the future? 
“My dream is to work with an international organization like WHO or ECDC, focusing on non-communicable diseases. I want to contribute to research, policies, and strategies that prevent conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and improve health globally. I’d like to keep learning in a collaborative, international environment. I’m open to staying in Scandinavia for a while, as I really value the culture, lifestyle, and approach to public health here.”

Kruthika’s tips: Five things all students in Gothenburg should do

1. Stroll through Haga and try the famous cinnamon buns – a true Swedish classic.
2. Explore the Gothenburg archipelago for beautiful islands and seaside views.
3. Visit Slottsskogen Park and the Botanical Garden to relax and enjoy nature in the city.
4. Discover the lakes and scenic nature trails – perfect for walks or weekend adventures.
5. Experience the café culture and enjoy fika breaks with friends – it’s an essential part of student life!

TEXT: KARIN ALLANDER, PHOTOS: PRIVATE