JULIA FORSBERG // UPPSALA UNIVERSITY // FORMER STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
»Magic can happen when you collaborate!«
Julia Forsberg, a former student at Uppsala University, graduated with a master's degree in the Russian Language in International Relations, for about three and half years she has also been a student representative within the ENLIGHT Student Network. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Swedish mountains and learning different types of skiing.
Where are you from and where/what were you studying?
JULIA: I'm originally from Linköping in Sweden. I was studying a master's programme in the Russian Language in International Relations at Uppsala University.
Why did you choose your field of study?
JULIA: I wanted to combine my interest in languages with International Relations. The programme was designed based on a request from the government. Many people study Russia, but a majority of them do not understand Russian - being forced to rely on secondary sources and translated information etc.
Have you ever lived and/or studied abroad?
JULIA: I have a few different experiences. I spent my second year of high school in Spain, at the Swedish School in Fuengirola. During my bachelor's I went on exchange to South Africa, where I had previously studied English for a few months. Last year I went on exchange during my master's as well, that time to Estonia and Tartu University - which is also part of ENLIGHT.
What do you like to do in your free time?
JULIA: I love spending time outdoors, preferably in the Swedish mountains. I've lived the last months up in the very north of Sweden, in Abisko, where I've tried to learn how to ski (turns out there are many different types of skiing? I've focused on nordic backcountry skiing and ski touring..).
How did you find out about ENLIGHT European University?
JULIA: I had applied for a student representative role at Uppsala University within an international collaboration, and heard that ENLIGHT was going to start up - and I applied for the student representative role there as well.
"ENLIGHT offers amazing international opportunities, both in-person and virtually. "
Tell us about your participation in ENLIGHT.
JULIA: Since the fall of 2020 until the spring of 2024 - I've been one of Uppsala's student representatives within ENLIGHT. I've also spent one exchange semester at one of ENLIGHT's partner universities, Tartu University. In my role as a student representative I've been working actively with the ENLIGHT Student Network. When we started in 2020, working only digitally with strangers from other countries, we didn't know what we were getting into. It's been amazing to follow the development, where we've had to build our own organization, set our goals, find ways to work together etc. Now, the network has grown and become more stable and strong, with clearer responsibilities and expectations for the students. I can't help but smile when I think back on the first Zoom meetings in the fall of 2020 when we were like "oh ok so we have to elect a student board... How do we do that? And what does the student board do?".
What is your biggest takeaway from your experience with ENLIGHT?
JULIA: The magic that can happen when you collaborate! But also.. that the magic can take time. And that it can require patience, understanding - as well as the courage to do things differently!
Did you feel part of a broader academic community by taking part in ENLIGHT?
JULIA: Absolutely! All universities within the alliance have their own strengths, and being part of ENLIGHT means having access to it all!
What city did you visit, what was your impression of it?
JULIA: During my time in ENLIGHT, I've had the privilege to visit Bratislava, Galway, Gent, Groningen, Göttingen and Tartu. They're all wonderful, but I will always remember Galway with its beautiful location and ever-changing weather!
How would you describe ENLIGHT in two sentences?
JULIA: An ambitious and powerful project that aims to create new, challenge-based education. Making it easier to study across Europe, creating connections, and becoming more ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
If you were to recommend ENLIGHT to a friend, what would you say?
JULIA: ENLIGHT offers amazing international opportunities, both in-person and virtually. It makes it easier to take your own education up a notch, add a new experience and get invaluable knowledge!
In the pictures above are the ENLIGHT Student Network online and in-person meeting at Comenius University Bratislava.