Hao Wang from China – student in Bioentrepreneurship at KI
Ask questions – learn a lot!
Why did you pick Sweden for your Master’s studies?
The quality of education in Sweden is very high. There are a lot of famous universities here, such as KTH, Stockholm University, Uppsala University and especially Karolinska Institutet. As I have my background in medicine I know about the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet. The research environment here in Sweden is very good. You can meet famous researchers and you have opportunities to communicate with them face to face. This way you can get to know them more deeply than by just reading their papers.
What was your first impression of Stockholm?
Stockholm is a diverse city that combines different cultures, as well as the modern and the old. Stockholm has a well-kept natural environment, so there are a lot of small forests around the city. Compared with China, the public transport system in Stockholm is very good. You can use the SL webpage to check how to get around. It’s very convenient.
What was your image of Sweden (and Swedes) before you arrived?
Before I came to Sweden, I thought Sweden would be like a big busy city. I was wrong. People in Stockholm lead a slower pace of life. Swedes are nice and a little bit shy. I worried a little about the language before I came, because I don’t speak Swedish. But now I’ve learned that most Swedes are almost fluent in English.
What aspects of the field Bioentrepreneurship attract you the most, and why?
There are many interesting aspects to the field of Bioentrepreneurship, such as real case studies and group work. Real case studies help you understand how to combine theory and practice., and group work enhances your cooperative skills, which will come in very useful in any future career!
What has been your best experience in Sweden so far?
Traveling, of course! So far I’ve visited the city of Kiruna in the very north, hoping to see the Northern Lights, and Gotland, a small island located southeast of Stockholm. The scenery there with its limestone rocks was beautiful, and we went camping!
What advice would you give to a student coming to Sweden for a short summer course only?
Sweden’s education system offers high quality tuition. I’d advise summer course students to do some pre-study at home before coming here. Bring any questions you have to the lectures and ask as much as you can. You’ll learn a lot doing this.
