The Tourism Program Attracts Students From All Over the World

This year, there are an unusually large number of nationalities gathering in the classroom of the Master's Programme in Tourism Studies at Mid Sweden University. The program currently has students from Sweden, Colombia, China, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Australia, Nigeria and Liberia.

The fact that the programme attracts students from all over the world is no coincidence, says Lusine Margaryan, senior lecturer in tourism studies.
"Tourism is fundamentally an international subject. Our students come here with different backgrounds and perspectives, and this makes the discussions about sustainability and global challenges both deeper and more relevant.

The Master's programme is taught in English, which makes it accessible to more people. The combination of a strong research environment at ETOUR and a global focus makes the education stand out in the Nordic region.

"In the Nordic countries, there are not many universities that have such a strong research and education environment in tourism. We have colleagues from around 20 different countries, which makes the environment both unique and dynamic," says Lusine Margaryan.

From Liberia to Östersund

One of this year's students is Sylvester Choloplay from Liberia. He has a background in communication and media but now wants to further his education in tourism and in the future work as a consultant in the tourism industry.
"I'm very interested in the environment, sustainability and environmental economics. I chose between Sweden and Italy, but in the end the choice fell on Sweden. Here it feels close to nature and sustainability issues are really at the center," he says.

In his class, which consists of nine students, the majority are from other countries.
"It's great fun," says Sylvester.

However, he would like to meet a fellow countryman in Östersund, if there is one.

"I'm proud to represent my home country here, but I wonder if I'm perhaps the only student from Liberia at Mid Sweden University.

Sylvester Choloplay is already planning to perhaps continue his studies and get a PhD in Sweden.