Written by Maël
10 Nov 2025
When I arrived in Sweden to begin my master’s studies, I was excited and a little overwhelmed. Moving to a new country always comes with a mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and discovery. I was eager to start my programme, meet new people, and understand how student life worked here. During the introduction week and the following welcome fairs, I got a first taste of what it meant to be a student in Sweden, and was surprised.
I was amazed by the number of student associations, unions, and councils represented. There were groups for nearly every subject, hobby, and cause you could imagine. It wasn’t just about academic support: there were cultural clubs, language cafés, environmental and political groups, social initiatives… The list does not seem to end and the energy was contagious! I really admired how involved students were in shaping their own education.
Meeting my Student Council
At one of the stands, I met some friendly faces from Biologiska ämnesrådet (BÄR), the biology student council of Stockholm University. They explained what they did: representing biology students in discussions with professors and departments, supporting to create a bridge between students and the university, offering a listening ear, and organizing social events. Back home, I had studied for four years without ever feeling particularly connected to my department or university beyond lectures and exams. But here, things seemed different. Students aren’t expected to be just participants, but partners in the learning process.
Eager to participate in this change that feels so important to me, I started attending some of the events BÄR organized. At first, informal gatherings, study sessions, or game evenings that are open to all biology students. I quickly heard how student representatives could make a real impact. They voiced opinions about course structures, shared feedback directly with professors, and suggested improvements to make the programme better for everyone. And, perhaps most importantly, the faculty listened. That was something new to me, the genuine sense of collaboration between students and teachers. It made me feel like I had something to contribute, that my experiences and opinions mattered.
Becoming a Study Representative
Encouraged by that realization, I decided to take the step and become a study representative for a biology master’s programme. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I imagined long meetings and complicated discussions, but the chairperson and other student representatives were comforting and encouraging. As a representative, depending on the department, you attend about 3 to 4 meetings with other students, programme coordinators, and department staff a year (which you even get paid for!). You collect student opinions and try to get your interests heard. This makes you learn a lot about how much important behind-the-scenes work goes into maintaining a good academic environment!
One of the best parts of the role is helping organize events, both academic and social. Game and movie nights, fika and barbeque meetings, hikes, bowling, ice skating… any fun (and/or biology-related) activity is welcome. It’s even possible to get these activities funded, which is great, so that everyone can attend!
Why I Recommend Getting Involved
Through this experience, you also develop skills that go far beyond your studies. Being a representative requires communication, empathy, and a sense of responsibility. You learn to listen to different perspectives and to represent them fairly in discussions. Sometimes, that means balancing opposing opinions or trying to find compromises that work for everyone. I feel like it’s deeply rewarding. To me, it really made me appreciate how collaborative and democratic the university system in Sweden is. Student voices truly matter, and they’re encouraged.
Like I said, another thing I didn’t expect was how much fun it would be. The meetings and planning sessions aren’t just about bureaucracy, they are opportunities to meet passionate people, exchange ideas, and work together toward something meaningful. I made sweet friends through BÄR and the student union, people from all over the world who shared a common drive to make student life better.
Looking back
Becoming a student representative was one of the best decisions I made during my studies. It gave me a sense of belonging and purpose that I hadn’t felt in my previous university years. I stopped feeling like a passive participant in my education and started feeling like an active contributor. It gives valuable insight into how universities function, how decisions are made, and how important it is to keep communication open between students and staff.
If you’re studying in Sweden, I can’t recommend this kind of involvement enough. Whether it’s through a subject council, a student union, or another group, getting engaged gives you the chance to grow in ways that lectures and exams alone never could. You’ll develop new skills, expand your network, and, most importantly, feel more connected to your community.
