Charmed by life in Sweden

A master’s programme in Sweden meant much more than advanced studies for Chung-Chuan Lai. He had the chance to experience a completely different life style and a study system that made him want to come back.

Impressed by the study system

Chung-Chuan came to Linköping in 2009 for a master’s programme in Materials Physics and Nanotechnology. His home university, Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, had a partnership with LiU and Chung-Chuan took the opportunity to study abroad for a couple of years. “I think Linköping University is excellent. I don’t know if it’s the same at every university in Sweden, but the thing that astonished me was the examinations - how you prepare for an exam and how it takes place,” he says. Chung-Chuan explains that in Taiwan exams are more intense and they evaluate the knowledge of a student in relation to a short period of time. “You have to think fast, to calculate and react fast. Here is totally different, you have quite a lot of time to think of what you are going to answer and if you are tired you’re free to have fruits, chocolate, or drink something. You can even go to the toilet if you want to.” In Taiwan Chung-Chuan had to write an exam in only one-two hours and he thinks that such a system causes a lot of pressure for students.

The perfect place to be

Chung-Chuan has just started his PhD studies at Linköping University. He researches MXene, a material that got more attention recently. After his master studies Chung-Chuan had to go back to Taiwan and do his military service. He had had been so impressed by the Swedish life style that he decided to continue his higher education at Linköping University afterwards. “I quite like it here just because it’s quiet. I am a person who’s afraid of noises. The university is not in town so before I get to my office and after I get out in the afternoon, it is a peaceful place to be; I can think and pile up in my head what happened during the day. If you have been squeezed in a very compact city and then suddenly came to a place surrounded by nature with not so many people, not too many cars and no motorcycles, where you can see the sky everywhere, you can simply breathe at ease. I feel relieved to be here.”

During his bachelor’s studies Chung-Chuan thought he would continue with a master at the same university in Taiwan and then find a job there. “After I came to Sweden things were totally different.” Chung-Chuan is very happy with the conditions for PhD studies at Linköping University. He will be here for the next five years and he hasn’t decided yet what he will do afterwards. For now he wants to enjoy his life in Sweden, something he definitely recommends to future students as well: “while in Linköping just enjoy your life. It’s really a place to enjoy the nature. Forget about what you liked before - internet, movies, everything. Just enjoy your life here!”