Student blogs

It took me a while to notice that I am now in the second semester of Joint Master’s Programme in Health Informatics, as there is no distinct “break” between the first and second semesters. Looking back to the first day I stepped into the class, I also realize that my honeymoon period in the programme was way passed over. However, the experience was too good to not shared with you. So, here is my take on the first semester.

1. The first time we met

The introduction phase. Picture credit to Alanyadk. Source: www.pixabay.com

The programme kicked-off with the introductory course “Health informatics needs, objectives and limitations”. A short 5 credits course that gave me the feeling of how the study rhythm would be in Karolinska Institutet. Also, many opportunities for interaction with the multicultural and multidisciplinary students through the class activities and group projects. This was also when I first learned to get used of the educational platform, how to access the study materials, communicate with lecturers and students, and to submit the assignment.

2. Then we exchanged stories

The journey continued with two parallel courses accounted for 15 credits each. The students were divided into two groups based on the category of having healthcare- or computer sciences background. The students with the healthcare background, including me, underwent the “Supplementary course in computer and systems science” organized by Stockholm University. You can also read my reviews of the course in my previous blogs here and here.

On the other hand, the students with computer sciences background attended the “Basic medical science” and “Healthcare organisation and management” courses. You can read an exciting review written by Anne, my fellow classmate and digital ambassador.

I think this method achieved its purpose as both groups got a brief opportunity to feel what is it like to be in the ‘other side’ prepared us for the challenges meant not to be faced alone.

Now that’s my story, how’s yours? Picture credit to suju. Source: www.pixabay.com

3. Finally, we walked side by side

The last course in the first semester was titled “Computer applications in healthcare” and accounted for 10 credits. The course brought us back into the same class again. In this course, we dove into the more practical and contextual learning, where we were assigned to work on either individual and also group projects that engaged us more into the health informatics field. Some of the projects included the current trending topics such as mobile health applications and implementing informatics to solve public health problems.

“… If you want to go far, go together” – African Proverb. Picture credit to MabelAmber. Source: www.pixabay.com

Even though it was not perfect and still had many rooms for improvement, but the courses in the first semester had served me well, providing me with the feeling of reassurance that I made the right decision of choosing this programme. So, let’s approach into the post-honeymoon period with great anticipation then.

See you in the next post!

You can reach me through:

e-mail: winner.ng@stud.ki.se

LinkedIn: Winner Ng