Students
The current students on the program are a truly international group. Right now there are students from Sweden, Greece, the U.K., Switzerland, Finland, Pakistan, Kenya, India, Iran, China and Taiwan. Two journalism students at Uppsala University (thanks Anna and Marcus!) have interviewed three of the students.
So please meet:
Dimitrios Gkouskos, first year-student from Greece
What’s best academically about studying HCI in Uppsala?
The subject combines two things I really like; computers, and psychology. I chose Uppsala because of the subject.
And socially?
I was really positively surprised – everywhere you go you meet students, it’s the place to be! There aren’t many cities in the world where you can get this kind of experience.
What surprised you most about studying HCI here?
The teachers are really approachable – for instance, the director of studies goes out of his way to make us comfortable. And there are the nations, where you can eat really cheap and good food. Everything is easy here somehow.
And what do you think about the education system?
I like the examination system. Otherwise you just have to memorize lots of stuff, but here they test if you really understand, and this way you remember what you’ve learnt much longer. Also, already in my first month I got to work with a company in Stockholm – you get a lot of work experience that way.
What do you think about Sweden?
I like it here, Uppsala feels like a big park – it’ so green, it’s crazy! The people are nice too, although it can be a little hard to get to know them at the beginning.
Yujuan Zou, second year-student from China
What do you like best about studying HCI in Uppsala?
Some of our courses are carried out in cooperation with companies. For example we cooperated with Aftonbladet [one of the largest newspapers in Sweden] testing the usability of their web site. We write reports and home examinations, which makes it easier to remember what you have learned. You always have to think about how to apply the theories in a practical situation.
What do you think of the city?
I like Uppsala; the castles and churches are nice to look at. I don´t like the ice on the streets in the winter though.
What´s different here compared to your previous studies?
There are more lectures and assignments in Sweden. At first it was hard but now I think it´s good because you learn a lot. Also, it´s easy to communicate with the teachers since they are always around.
Do you have any advice to offer international students coming here to study?
Accomodation is the most important thing. You should register early at Studentstaden (www.studentstaden.se) and contact nations [student housing]. When it comes to the studies you should prepare to study hard. And you should know that it´s easy to concentrate on studying in this environment.
Staffan Gustafsson, second year-student from Sweden
Why did you choose to study HCI in Uppsala?
I began with computer science, but that was too mathematical for me. In HCI, the core is that you need to know what people need in order to create good computer programs. How to design according to human needs is exactly what we study, and that suits me perfectly. Uppsala is the biggest and most well-known university in Sweden, so a degree from Uppsala definitely feels relevant if you compare with smaller universities.
What’s best socially about studying here?
Everything around the studies makes up more than half the experience – friends, nation life, Friday beer nights. When I was new I really appreciated how easy it was to become a part of social life in the corridor or via one of the nations.
What do you think of the set-up of the program?
It’s great to have such a lot of real projects. And it’s good to show future employers. Another good thing is that HCI is very broad and that we learn the basics instead of just rules – we learn why, instead of just what.
Text and pictures: Anna Sandelin and Marcus Lindborg, 2008