Meet Saida from Baku, Azerbaijan

What is your educational background?

I finished my bachelor’s degree in law in 2021 at Baku State University, Azerbaijan. After having a one-year break, I started my master’s degree here at Lund University with a specialization in European Business law.

How did you find our master's programme?

I got to know the programme through a recommendation from a friend who was already studying in Lund. I researched both the university and the programme extensively. The fact that Lund University consistently ranks highly among universities worldwide was one of the elements that reassured me of the quality of the programme. Also, the programme's syllabus, with its comprehensive coverage of European Union law, with a specific focus on competition law, aligned perfectly with my academic and career aspirations.

Additionally, I have always dreamed of living in one of the Nordic countries, and this programme provided a wonderful opportunity to fulfil that dream. 

The fact that it is a two-year programme was another significant advantage for me, allowing me time to develop deeply into the subject matter and engage with the vibrant academic community here.

What was it like to apply for our master’s programme?

In my opinion, it was a streamlined and well-structured process. The University's website provided clear and comprehensive information about the application requirements and deadlines, which made it easier to navigate during such a stressful period.
The application procedure involved several key steps, including submitting my academic transcripts from my previous education, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency. Also, the online application portal was user-friendly, allowing me to track the status of my application and ensure that all components were submitted correctly and on time. One aspect I particularly appreciated was that the University’s admissions team was responsive and helpful in addressing any questions I had throughout the process.

How was your move to Lund?

As a non-EU student, moving to Lund was a bit more challenging, particularly with the student visa process. For Azerbaijani students like me, it involves navigating the student visa procedures through the Consulate of Sweden in Turkey, which added a layer of complexity. To be clearer, we had to travel to Turkey to provide biometric data and then make another trip to collect the residence permit card. This part of the process, honestly, was quite stressful and required careful planning.
However, once this most demanding step was completed, everything worked out smoother. 

I must emphasize that the support provided by Lund University on Arrival Day was exceptional. With the organising provided by the University, the volunteers welcomed us at the airport. Provided transportation to our accommodations, and offered comprehensive guidance on various matters, even setting up my cell phone. 

By the end of this first day, with everything running smoothly and without any stress, I felt reassured that I had chosen the right place for my studies.

How was the process of finding housing in Lund?

I must admit that, unlike the previous point, finding housing is much easier for non-EU students, as they have a housing guarantee provided by Lund University, which means that we receive an accommodation offer through LU accommodation.
LU Accommodation provides various options, including corridor rooms, studio flats, and one or two -bedroom apartments. In the housing application, we are allowed to state our preferences but are not guaranteed to get our firsthand option.
Another very popular housing company is AF Bostäder, the student housing foundation in Lund which also offers the same type of accommodation as LU Accommodation. However, the AF system is quite different from LU Accommodation. It is based on a lottery system, which means that all new students who applies gets a ranking number, afterwards, based on their ranking, students are eligible to apply or queue for their favourite housing option.

How is the study environment at the programme?

The programme itself provides an in-depth understanding of European business law, blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Also, the combination of mandatory and elective courses that cover a wide range of topics, from EU constitutional law to specialised areas like competition law, contract law, IP law, or AI law allows the flexibility of choosing a desired path. The teaching staff, which includes both leading academics and practitioners from the private sector, ensures that students gain insights from both theoretical perspectives and real-world legal practice. 

How many lectures and seminars do you have on a weekly basis?

Honestly, it is very hard to state a fixed number as it really depends on the subject, month, or even the week. There have been times when we have had lectures every day, but we had up to two seminars scheduled during some weeks. However, there have also been periods where no classes were scheduled for an entire week, allowing time for us to study or research.

What is the most challenging, and what is the best thing with your programme?

The most challenging part is that, probably like most other law schools, it can be demanding at times and requiring countless hours spent in libraries and feeling the pressure now and then.  But with the help of the teaching staff, which is my favourite aspect about the programme, even that part can be simplified to some extent. 

Honestly, they are not just lecturers, they are like mentors who genuinely care about your ideas. 

They usually adopt an environment where discussions are open, and teamwork and debate are encouraged. My second favourite thing about the programme is how they mix things up. One day you might be debating in a seminar, the next day working in teams, or even competing in negotiations or creating trademarks. I think this is what keeps things lively and makes sure the motivation stays high throughout the course.

How does studying here in Lund differ from studying in your home country?

To be honest, I can consider my previous studying like a usual lecture-seminar mixture involving mostly theory. But as I mentioned above, it is totally different here in this programme.

What is it like to live in Sweden?

Living in Sweden can be challenging sometimes, especially in winter, when you easily can get unhappy with the cold and dark weather. Despite that, considering Lund is a university city, it is still vibrant even during those dark times. 

One can find hundreds of events going on, thanks to various student organizations and nations, which helps to overcome the winter depression.

What is it like to be an international student at Lund University?

As I mentioned, there are so many student nations and organisations that organise parties, intellectual or fun games, culture days, sports activities, and many more events throughout the year. All these activities make it easier to get integrated into student life and to not feel alone.

How do you experience the student life in Lund?

I have tried to get most of it while balancing my studies and social life during my studies here. I had the opportunity to get staged in a play and serve in a student nation bar while having no previous experience of any of that. Apart from those examples, I have tried to attend as many sports activities, fikas, and parties as I can. Considering the academic schedule was sometimes quite flexible, I even had the opportunity to travel. In the last semester of my studies, I have also started working at a café. 

Now that I look back, these last two years of my life were very colourful.

What are your career goals after your graduation?

Sweden, like some other EU countries, allows graduates to apply for a one-year job visa, which allows non-EU students to stay for one more year to look for a job here. And I am one of those students who has applied for that visa. So, my main goal is to find the opportunity to work in Sweden and get the chance to apply what I have learned during my studies.

Do you have any tips for prospective students coming to Lund?

Do not forget to take your vitamins, especially vitamin D, and try to get the most out of your time here, while using the opportunities provided by the University and student environment.