Kei

Country: South Korea/Indonesia

Who am I, and what am I studying at SLU?

- My name is Kei. I am of Chinese descent, with roots in both Indonesia and South Korea. Originally educated as a Medical Doctor, I came to Sweden to pursue a Master's degree in Applied Cultural Analysis (MACA) with a specialization in Medical Anthropology at Lund University.

At SLU, I am currently pursuing my second Master's degree in Outdoor Environments for Health & Well-Being (OHW), with a major in the Environmental Psychology of Landscape Architecture.

What is the best about the Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-Being programme?

- Apart from its strong relevance to public health – a topic that makes me a nerd – the best part is the flexibility in taking the courses within the programme.

The programme's scope is 120 ECTS, meaning it's a 2-year programme if taken full-time (100% study speed). You can also opt to take the programme at half-time (50%), completing it in 4 years.

In practice, you can change your mind in the middle of the programme. For instance, if you initially chose to study full-time but found it too demanding after the first semester or if you also wish to work full-time, you can always switch to a study speed of 50% or even lower. If a 50% study speed feels overwhelming, you can extend your study time by retaking the same course the following year. Alternatively, if you have more time to study later on, you can take more credits in one semester.

The OHW programme is highly flexible in that regard. In practice, you can finish it in 2 years if taken full-time, but you have the option to complete it within 3-4 years or even an indefinite number of years if taken part-time.

What is the best about SLU Campus Alnarp?

- The department of the OHW Master's programme has its office in Alnarp Manor! Yes, you read that right! I not only get to learn so many new things within my major, but I also get to go inside this manor. The building and its immediate surroundings are officially called 'Alnarp Slott och Parker,' which translates to 'Alnarp Manor & Parks,' according to Google Maps – though, technically, 'slott' means 'castle.'

Besides the fancy, cool, and mysterious feelings I get from the manor, I always feel perfectly splendid whenever I go there because the building is literally surrounded by beautiful parks. In many research studies, such exposure to nature has been associated with a variety of benefits, such as improved attention, lower stress, and a better mood. And yes, there are also lots of green areas encircling the manor – well, depending on the weather.

Either way, I get to say that I'm studying in a castle – like Hogwarts.