Master's Programme in Sustainable Destination Development

Name: Aida Alonso
From: Mexico
Programme: Master’s Programme in Sustainable Destination Development

How did you choose your programme?
I always knew that I wanted to study a Master’s degree related to sustainability somewhere in Europe, so I started to ask my friends and people in my network which programmes were good. I had my options narrowed down to universities in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Then, one of my Swedish friends told me to check Uppsala University’s website to see if there was something that would interest me and once I did it I was completely hooked with the programme in Sustainable Destination Development as it was everything that I was looking for – a Master’s that combines sustainability and tourism. I knew that I had to apply immediately. Now that I’m here I think it is the best decision I’ve ever made.

What is it like to be an international student?
It is a mixture of excitement and stress. It is quite rewarding being a foreigner in a new country because I get to know and learn new things not only at the university and in the classes, but also about the culture, language, and the people I get to interact with. On the other side of the coin, it can also be very stressful, especially when it comes to administrative processes, such as enrolling in classes, getting student housing and so on. When I first arrived in Sweden, I didn’t quite understand what I needed to do and how and it was frustrating. However, when I look back I think of all of those experiences as part of my learning and adjustment to Swedish society.

What is the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
Studying on Campus Gotland has been quite rewarding, especially since it’s a smaller campus, you get to feel a sense of community and togetherness. I get to interact with my fellow students very often and that makes working with them much easier, also teachers are much more accessible and that means I can ask questions and talk to them in a more relaxed environment. I like how open the education system is at Uppsala University, there are no strict demarcations between students and teachers. I feel my opinion matters and I can work together with my teachers to get the best out of my programme.

How did you experience your first few days in Sweden?
It was a mixture of all kinds of feelings. When I made the decision of studying a Master’s programme I had already been working in Mexico for more than eight years and I had a stable life. Therefore it was quite nerve-racking having to quit my job to move along with my dog (yes, I brought my dog all the way from Mexico) to a new country to study. As soon as I arrived in Sweden, I felt a sense of relief and happiness of finally being here after more than a year of planning. That sense of calm lasted a few days until I had to worry about applying for my personal number, opening a bank account and registering for classes. Luckily for me, since I already had Swedish friends, I was able to accomplish all my tasks fairly easily with their help.

What’s unique about your programme?
One of the things I like about the programme is that we are a very heterogeneous group of mostly international students. We all have varied backgrounds and ages. It is very rewarding to have discussions and talk about our classes with people who have different perspectives from mine. I think I have learned a lot by just listening to what other people have to say. Also, there’s a big emphasis on working in groups and that makes the learning outcomes much more fruitful.

How would you describe the relationship between you and your teachers at the University?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s nice that teachers on Campus Gotland are very accessible since it is a smaller campus and thus communication is easier. I like the opportunity that I can talk to them not only about my classes but also about my plans and expectations. I have been my class representative, so I act as a liaison between the students and the teachers. This has given me the possibility to interact directly with them in my programme and understand how they plan things and execute them. Being part of this type of interaction has made me feel like my ideas and those of my fellow classmates matter in the development of our courses.

How is your student life?
Being able to be part of an active community of students that care about environmental and social causes is the best part of my student life. As part of my class, I have the chance to interact with a varied group of people and form strong relationships with them. I was able to organise a trip to Denmark with some of my classmates, where we attended a conference related to sustainable tourism. We also participated in the BUP (Baltic University Programme) symposium in August as presenters and now we’re looking for the opportunity to publish an article we wrote together.

What is your reason for studying and your ultimate goal?
I believe I’ve always had this curiosity to keep learning new things and to be capable of contributing in a positive manner in my environment. That’s the main reason why I decided to quit my previous job and go back to my studies. I reached a point where I asked myself where I saw myself in five or ten years and I knew that I wanted to do more with my life than just having a corporate job. I want to be able to work as a project manager or consultant in the tourism industry and develop projects that are aimed at improving environmental sustainability and social responsibility. I like living in Sweden, so I wouldn’t mind developing my future career path in this lovely country.

Autumn 2020