Name: Åsa Dahlberg
Studies: Programme for International Crisis and Conflict Management
Tell us something about your field study
I conducted my field study in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the spring of 2019. My goal was to collect information for my C-level thesis, which was broadly about the concept of democracy and how the political system of socialist Yugoslavia influenced how the concept is defined. I conducted ten interviews during my two months in the country.
Why did you want to do an MFS?
For me, the MFS was a no-brainer. The opportunity to do a significant part of my thesis work abroad was very appealing, but so was the challenge of travelling alone with the specific purpose of collecting information. It was a great opportunity to develop as a person while finishing my degree under completely different conditions than I would have had if I had written the thesis in Sweden. It also felt like an advantage to be on the ground in the country and get close to the environment I would be writing about.
What are some of your takeaways from this experience?
Memories, experiences and being even more curious about the world. Through people I got to know, I also gained an initial insight into what it is like to work internationally.
What were the main challenges?
The biggest challenges I faced were before starting my trip. It was difficult to find a contact person in the host country, which was necessary to submit a complete application. It was also tough to prepare the MFS while also taking care of my regular course work. Once in place in the country, the biggest challenge was dealing with my own stress that arose when things did not go as planned or when something unexpected happened. This was, however, a useful phase to go through in that it helped me improve my self-awareness.
Do you have any practical tips for other students thinking about doing an MFS?
Start well in advance and expect things to take longer than expected. Stay focused and do not give up. Last but not least – do not miss this opportunity!
