Masters Graduation in Sweden

Anita

Written by Anita

27 Jun 2018

Following my series of blog posts on Graduation in Sweden, this post gives you a summary of Masters Graduation in Sweden. This post follows the first post on Graduation in Sweden  and the second on Life After Sweden.

more

Masters Graduation in Sweden

It’s painful yet great to admit that I am officially an alumni for both the SI Study Scholarship programme and the Master in Global Studies at Gothenburg University. Graduation came with it some of the best memories I have had in Sweden. However, it also came with the realization of the work that is in store for me in order to better the lives of young people in my home country of Kenya.

Graduation weekend was three jam packed days that started with me defending my thesis and ended with a trip to Stockholm for graduation. To say that the weekend was emotional would be an understatement.

Global Studies Graduation

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Members of the School of Global Studies at the Graduation Ceremony

The School of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg decided to host a small graduation ceremony followed by a mingle. The graduation was open to all students of BA & MA Global studies as well as MA Human rights and irrespective of whether you had submitted your thesis. It was nice to have a blended graduation ceremony as students who had not completed their program were also allowed to attend.

Master Graduation in Sweden
Walking up the stairs after receiving my rose and certificate

In the hall we each received a rose and a certificate of participation for the MA in Global Studies program. This was the first time that most of us had been together in one place since last year as some people took time off to do longer internships or travel abroad. We had such a great time and of course there were multiple picture opportunities.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Group picture for MA Global Studies 2018

For me celebrating with friends and colleagues at the School of Global Studies was a great part of the day. One of the coolest moments was seeing my supervisor who helped me throughout my thesis!

Masters Graduation in Sweden
My supervisor Sören and I

Swedish vs. Kenyan graduation

My friend Joan even came as the designated photographer for the day! This was so funny as in Kenya, graduations are such a big deal, your whole family comes out and you literally have to take a picture with each one. You even get decorated with shiny plastic multicolored lays we call ‘mushaino’.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Photo ops 🙂

The Swedish graduation experience was somewhat different to what I am used to especially without the cap and gown. But it was fun regardless.

Masters graduation in Sweden
With my friends Nina and Amanda at Graduation

After party

Some of my classmates and I had an after party where we had some Prosecco and food and reminisced about school and discussed our forthcoming plans.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Classmates at the Afterparty

It wasa great way to catch up and also wrap up this part of our lives!

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Friends at the after party
Masters Graduation in Sweden
Group photos with friends

Swedish Institute Graduation

The second graduation ceremony was for the recipients of the SISS Scholarship. The graduation ceremony was held in the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City hall. This graduation was extra special because it was held in the same venue that the Nobel prize is handed out each year. The diploma ceremony brought together over 517 laureates from 72 countries.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
SI diploma Ceremony at the Blue Hall

One of my favourite parts of the ceremony was hearing fellow digital ambassador Ivanna Read speak about experiences in Sweden and how we should translate them into action as SI Scholars.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
Kenyan SI scholars at the diploma ceremony

What made the evening extra special was celebrating with Kenyan SI scholars with whom we left home two years ago and made it all the way to the end.

Masters Graduation in Sweden
SI scholars at the Swedish Institute Diploma Ceremony 2018

Take Away

Congratulations to the class of 2018 across Sweden! I hope you enjoyed your time as a student and your graduation ceremonies were just as special! Swedish graduation ceremonies are very different than what most people are used to but that does not make them any less special. There was no cap and gown but there was plenty of new traditions to enjoy!

From Sweden with Love

Anita

Written by Anita

27 Jun 2018