Anna Nivestam, SWEAH-alumna (SAIN), Kristianstad University
How has the collaboration been with the British participants in the course?
– The exchange with researchers from Great Britain has given me a better understanding of how research is conducted in other countries. What similarities and differences exist, for example in terms of working conditions for researchers. But also what it means to be a researcher and do research in the UK.
What does international cooperation mean to you?
– Researchers need to collaborate internationally to find answers to the major questions in gerontology. Several countries face similar challenges and together we can find common solutions, but also learn from each other's experiences. International collaborations can also mean that the research we conduct on a small scale in Sweden can be scaled up and tested in other contexts.
What are you most looking forward to on the trip?
– I have not been to Scotland before, so it will be fun to see a new country. I am also looking forward to visiting universities in Stirling and making new contacts.
Anna Nivestam's profile page Kristianstad University
Erika Augustsson, SWEAH PhD student, Karolinska Institutet
What are you most looking forward to on the trip?
– Mainly to meet the Scottish students, exchange experiences and hear what they are working on. It will also be super exciting to take part in the course material produced for the week, it looks like it will be so good.
Scotland is like a second home to me. I spent five years at universities in the country for "undergrad" and masters. I have brought a piece of Scotland with me to Sweden - I now teach Stockholmers Scottish dance. It will be wonderful to come back and experience the Scottish culture and nature. I am so looking forward to the trip!
What does international cooperation mean to you?
– I think international collaborations are extremely important, it gives the opportunity to see new perspectives and ways of attacking similar problems. It also makes you open your eyes to how much context plays in. Something that works in a certain way in Sweden might not be possible to implement or think about in the same way in another country where culture, attitude, policy and laws differ.
The exchange makes it easier to put research into perspective and makes international groups very strong, because they have so much understanding of different issues. It is also rewarding that different countries and institutes have different ways of training students to look at questions. So international collaborations are hugely rewarding – exchanging experiences and tips, broadening one's knowledge and opportunities for better research through collaborations, is invaluable.