Today, Yayuan serves as an entomologist at Biologisk Myggkontrol in Nedre Dalälven Utvecklings AB, where she plays a key role in managing mosquito populations. The company runs a comprehensive surveillance program to monitor changes in mosquito species and their abundance. “Every second week, from May to September, we collect and count mosquitoes, and publish the results on our website,” Yayuan explains.
Her work mainly involves identifying mosquitoes in the lab, a task that demands meticulous attention to detail. Mosquito traps are set in the afternoon and retrieved the next morning; the insects are then anaesthetized, sorted, counted, and stored for identification under a microscope.
The Decision to Pursue Euroforester
Yayuan’s path to the Euroforester Master’s programme was driven by a strong desire to study abroad. “My home university in China, Beijing Forestry University, had an agreement with SLU, and both universities offered an exchange program,” she recalls. When the Euroforester programme provided scholarships for Chinese exchange students in their first year, Yayuan seized the opportunity by passing a selection test organized by SLU teachers visiting Beijing.
Practical Skills for Professional Success
The Euroforester programme equipped Yayuan with practical skills that have been crucial in her career. “The field trips during courses were particularly beneficial, as they sparked my interest in fieldwork,” she notes.
When she began her role as an entomologist, her fieldwork expertise quickly set her apart. “My boss was impressed with how well I handled fieldwork,” Yayuan shares. Her deep understanding of Swedish forests, cultivated during her studies, has been particularly valuable in her current role. “Our mosquito traps are mostly near wetlands and forests, and I often share interesting facts about Swedish forests with my colleagues. I might not be the best mosquito entomologist yet, but I am likely the mosquito entomologist who knows the most about Swedish forests,” she adds with a smile.
Shaping a Career Path in Sweden
The Euroforester programme provided more than just academic knowledge—it helped Yayuan discover a country where she wanted to settle and grow her career. “Honestly, I’m not very good at career planning,” Yayuan admits. “For me, knowing where I want to live is as important as figuring out what I want to do. The Euroforester program helped me find a country where I wanted to build my life.”
