Student blogs

The second semester is in full swing, and I’ve taken some time to reflect on my experiences from the first semester, its highlights, and the key takeaways for me. What was the first semester really like? What kinds of courses did we take? I wanted to share my reflections, memorable moments, and insights into what future students can expect.

What courses did I have?

First term:

• Theory in Bioentrepreneurship (KI)
• Industrial management (KTH)
• Communication in bioentrepreneruship (KI)

Second term:

• Project Management (KI)
• Strategic management control (KTH)
• Market Analysis (KI)

The first semester was definitely tougher than what I would’ve expected with two courses held in different campuses running in parallel. Theory in Bioentrepreneurship and Communication in Bioentrepreneurship were more of an introductory coursers, which was a nice way to start the program and get to know my class better since this course had a lot of group activities. Industrial management was definately the hardest course in this term in terms of content, since there were a lot of new concepts that I hadn’t learned before. Moreover, this course was fast-paced as it had three mid-term exams every 1.5 weeks, as well as a group assignment. Although it was nice to have the opportunity to study in the premises of the beautiful KTH campus.

Market analysis was my favourite course in the first semester as it focused more on the intertwine between life science industry and business. My favorite part of the course was the cool guest lecturers from the big life science companies, like Johnson&Johnson, Novo Nordisk and Leo Pharma. I learned a lot from these lectures and they also broadened my perspectives on what I would like to work on after graduating. Another favorite part of the course was the Fish Bank gamified lecture, where in groups, we had to act as fishing company owners trying to make strategic choices about how to maximise profits while ensuring the long-term survival of fish stocks. Additionally, in this course, we also had a big group assignment where we were given a specific disease or condition, and we had to do a market analysis on the patient’s needs. This course was filled with both hands-on activities as well as real-life insights from the industry.

Highlights and reflection of the semester

The semester was filled with so many memories. One of my favourite memories was going to Solvik, which is a traditional weekend cottage retreat outside of Stockholm with the first and second-year MBE students. We enjoyed our time together by having a Christmas dinner with a taco twist, went swimming in the cold lake and hopped into the sauna after. The next morning, my two friends and I took on the role of pancake chefs, whipping up breakfast for the whole crew.

My second favorite highlight of the semester was a 3-hour writing and reading session arranged by the KI library. This was a fun and productive way to study together and get motivated. The library made sure we were fuelled with breaks after each 30 minute study interval with coffee, fruits, sandwitches, fika and other sweets. After the study retreat we were rewarded by an Italian Christmas buffet dinner at Haga Bottega.

During the semester, I attended various career and mingling events at KI. One highlight was the MBE Christmas mingle, hosted by our program at The Park Forskaren. We had the privilege of hearing from five MBE alumni and learning about their journeys and where they are today. After their inspiring talks, we enjoyed mingling over hot Glögg, gingerbread, and saffron cookies, a perfect way to wrap up the semester.

What do I bring to the second semester?

On the first term of the second semester, I only have one course ongoing, which is product development. It has been more relaxed so far and I have enjoyed having more unscheduled time as the product development course is demanding. I have been enjoying it so far and all the group works it includes. This course is a continuation course from the market analysis course.

My main takeaways from the first semester are one – trust the process, everything may seem stressful at first, but things will get sorted out. It is important to leave room for other refreshing and enjoyable activities. Two – study the lecture content before the actual lecture. This is something that is extremely essential and something I wish I put more effort in during the first semester as it also helps with getting the most out of the lectures, as well as studying for the exams. Three – embrace collaboration. Working with diverse teams has been one of the most valuable aspects of the program. Engaging in discussions, sharing perspectives, and tackling challenges together not only enhances learning but also makes the process more enjoyable. Collaboration is key, whether it’s for group projects, study sessions, or networking opportunities.

As I navigate the second semester, I continue to apply these lessons, refining my study habits, balancing work and relaxation, enjoying the upcoming spring and fully immersing myself in the learning experience.