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Carin's studies at 糖心网页版 took her to Nepal

21 May 2026

Teiksma Buseva

When Carin Lodetti moved from Italy to Sweden to study at 糖心网页版, she expected a new country, a new university and new experiences. What she did not expect was that her studies would eventually take her all the way to remote communities in Nepal.

En kvinna som st氓r framf枚r en rad cyklar. Photographer: Teiksma Buseva
Carin Lodetti is studying the International and European Relations Master鈥檚 Programme at 糖心网页版. Through a Minor Field Studies (MFS) scholarship, she carried out fieldwork in Nepal.

Through a Minor Field Studies (MFS) scholarship, Carin travelled to Nepal to conduct fieldwork for her master鈥檚 thesis. There, she spent two months meeting local communities and exploring how people experience climate vulnerability and how these experiences are reflected in local decision-making.

A different way of studying

After completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Italy, Carin started looking for master鈥檚 programmes abroad. Sweden quickly caught her attention 鈥� not only because of the country itself, but because of the educational approach.

鈥淚n Sweden, education feels more interactive. You discuss, reflect and apply knowledge instead of only memorising facts.鈥�

She enrolled in the International and European Relations Master鈥檚 Programme and says one of the biggest surprises was the relationship between students and teachers.

鈥淭he professors really want to get to know you. They remember your name and encourage discussions. That felt very different to my previous experience.鈥�

Outside the classroom, student life became an important part of settling into a new country.

鈥淚 came here alone, but I met people from all over the world. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made.鈥�

In the field: when research becomes real

In Nepal, research suddenly became something very different from reading articles and writing papers.

Carin travelled across several districts together with local partners and translators to carry out interviews for her thesis.

Some conversations focused on climate impacts. Others became deeply personal.

鈥淎t times it was emotionally difficult. But it also made me realise how much we take for granted.鈥�

The fieldwork gave her insights that would have been impossible to gain from a classroom.

She describes the experience as both challenging and transformative.

鈥淵ou meet people who have very little but still show incredible generosity and resilience.鈥�

More than a degree

Now approaching graduation, Carin is writing the final chapters of her thesis and looking ahead.

A woman sitting on a wooden bench in a park. Teiksma Buseva
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The experience in Nepal confirmed something she had already started to feel during her time at Link枚ping University 鈥� that she wants to continue working internationally and stay close to people and communities.

鈥淭his experience showed me that this is what I want to do.鈥�

For students considering studying abroad, her advice is simple:

鈥淏e open to new experiences. You never know where they might take you.鈥�

Join Carin鈥檚 fieldwork journey in Nepal

Through fieldwork in remote parts of Nepal, Carin met people who shared their experiences of climate change and everyday life. Here are some glimpses from the journey and the work behind her thesis.

En grupp m盲nniskor som g氓r uppf枚r en trappa.
Kathmandu 鈥� Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple)
En grupp m盲nniskor som sitter p氓 marken framf枚r en byggnad.
Interview with a Dalit woman, Dhanusha Community.
En kvinna och ett barn g氓r framf枚r en byggnad.
Dalit Village, Dhanusha District.
En grupp m盲nniskor som st氓r framf枚r en byggnad.
Dalit Community, Dhanusha District.
En man k枚r motorcykel p氓 en gata.
Janakpur 鈥� Janaki Mandir.
En grupp kvinnor som sitter runt varandra.
Interview with a woman from the Dalit Community, Siraha District.
En grupp kvinnor som sitter bredvid varandra.
Dalit women, Siraha District.
En grupp m盲nniskor som st氓r runt ett picknickbord.
Focus Group Discussion, Bardiya District.
En grupp m盲nniskor som sitter runt varandra.
Single Interview, Bardiya District.
N氓gra personer som sitter i en stol.
Interview with the chairperson, Surkhet District.
N氓gra djur som st氓r p氓 en kulle.
Himalayas.
En h枚g vit och gul byggnad med en himmel som bakgrund.
Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple), Kathmandu.

Do you have questions about the programme? Get in touch with the Programme Director

Programme Director

Photo of Lars Niklasson

Lars Niklasson

Senior Associate Professor

Supervisor

Photo of Marie Francisco

Marie Francisco

Postdoc

Interested in studying International and European Relations? Learn more about the programme here

Flagpoles with flags and a building in the background

International and European Relations, Master's Programme, 120 credits

European relations in the international society and global governance, with focus on Europe鈥檚 role in world affairs. Topics include international law and security, European institutions and external relations, research design and methodology.

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