It is officially that time of the month! Yes, it’s still cold outside. Yes, it’s still snowy and a bit dark. No, that doesn’t take the life out of us global health students (most days, anyway). Thus, it is now time to hear from wonderful Seela, coming from the neighbouring Finland, and the path that brought her to the city we’ve all come to love, Stockholm. On to it!

How old are you, where are you from, and what were you doing before coming to KI?

I’m 24 years old and originally from Finland. After finishing high school, I moved to Sweden to do a bachelor’s degree in social anthropology at Stockholm University. I then returned to Finland to do a master’s degree in the same field at University of Helsinki, while also working as a research assistant alongside my studies. Apparently, I didn’t get enough of studying or Stockholm, because I decided to move back. I’m so happy I did!

⁠⁠What led you to global health?

My interest in global health started when I became active in human rights activism with Amnesty International, where I learned a lot about global health issues. Through Amnesty, I also met people who were studying global health, and hearing about their experiences inspired me to apply as well. During my anthropology studies I also took courses in medical anthropology, which eventually became the focus of my master’s thesis.

⁠What have you enjoyed the most about the programme so far?

One of my favourite things is the diversity within our class, both academically and culturally. It is such a valuable opportunity to learn from each other. For me, it’s important to step outside my social science bubble and comfort zone and learn from people with a different approach to science. I also love how much effort is put into planning our classes so that we can learn in the best possible way.

⁠⁠What’s your favourite thing to do in Sweden?

I’m very outdoorsy, but I also love living in a bigger city. In Stockholm, you really get the best of both worlds. I love how easy it is to access nature here, for a hike or going cross-country skiing in the winter. As a Finn, I of course also enjoy the sauna and swimming combination, and Stockholm actually has some great spots for that.

If you could give your past self any advice, what would it be?

I would tell myself not to worry so much about what others think of you. When I started at KI, I was struck by how smart, outgoing, and confident everyone seemed, and I put a lot of pressure on myself because I felt different and not good enough. Over time, I started gaining my confidence back and also realized that I was not the only one with similar doubts.

In short

With a background in anthropology and an affinity for winter outdoor activities, Seela is a vibrant reminder of how multiple fields come together to define global health practice. She holds a track record of social issues and their application to the field of anthropology—the very study of humanity itself—and strives to apply it to the health of entire populations, all through the lens of equity. So far, we have seen Irene, Robin, Saifa, and now Seela share their great stories with us; next up, we will be hearing from another classmate with a story we have yet to showcase (but hey, gotta keep the mystery alive, so I won’t spill any details). Stay tuned for next month’s feature!

P.S. Another tip

Starting this blog with “yes, it’s still cold and dark” made me realise that I have mentioned winter quite a few times times, yet I have never once offered detailed advice on how to live life through it. Luckily, fellow blogger Camila has put together a list of her top activities essential to surviving Swedish winter, so make sure to check it out!