The over-thinker goes (back) to school?

After my previous posts about getting accepted into some universities, I realized I haven’t shared anything, especially about my application to a few others, including some in Sweden. And Thank God, I’ve been accepted too, yay!

You might ask: Why go through the hassle of a Master’s degree? Why Sweden? And how did I get in?
Well, that’s what this post is all about.

1. Why pursue a Master’s degree when you’ve already working?
Good question!
Well, there are a few reasons. First, I want to sharpen and expand my skills. I love my field, but I feel there’s more to understand, especially when it intersects with other disciplines. A Master’s degree gives me space to dive deeper and bridge those gaps.
Second, I enjoy working, but there’s always that itch, that feeling that I could be doing more if only I knew more. I’ve realized there’s still things I lack. So here I am, choosing to grow through study again.

2. Why Sweden?
Here’s a fun fact: I’ve dreamt to study abroad for as long as I can remember.
Back in primary school, I even wrote a letter to Emma Watson. (Yes, that Emma Watson, I was a huge Potterhead!)
In junior high, I told my mom: Someday, I want to study abroad.
So when I started seriously considering postgraduate study, I narrowed down courses that truly aligned with my passions (more on this later 😉). One stood out, a program at Lund University, my top choice.
I was especially drawn to it because it sits at the intersection of technology and management, under the School of Economics and Management. It’s a perfect match for what I love and what I want to pursue.
And… I GOT IN! 🎉
Right now, I’m in the thick of preparations: paperwork, packing, and all the anxieties that follow. So, fingers crossed and wish me luck 🤞

How to apply for a Master’s in Sweden
A quick breakdown of the process:

Apply through Sweden’s central application portal.
Create your account on the portal.
You can choose up to four programs and rank them based on priority.
You will find all information in this portal, including the key dates and what to prepare for your application.

Tip:
– Find the program you’re genuinely excited about.
– Research each university carefully.
– Note all deadlines so you don’t miss anything important.
Submit your documents.
Each program might ask for different things. For mine, I had to submit a statement of purpose and an application summary sheet, among other documents. It can be different to your chosen programs.

Tip:
– Check the requirement for each program, some may ask for a portfolio or other extras.
– Organize everything in one folder and store it online too, so you have access to it on the go.
Pay the application fee.
You’ll need to pay the application fee for 900SEK to complete your application.

Tip:
– Prepare your credit/ international debit card for easier payment.

That’s it for the application process. Now……
Wait for the result
At this point, you have successfully submitted your application and now it’s time to wait for the result.
The result will be published on both the application portal and your personal email.

So, that’s that! You are in the final stage of your application process.
For more information, you can also visit studyinsweden.se. They have tons of helpful resources!

See that tiny note on the top right? The info is tailored to you based on your detected ~~citizenship~~ location—how convenient is that?!!

A little note to those in doubt
If you’re stuck in an existential crisis (yes, you’re not alone!), questioning whether a Master’s is the right move, or overwhelmed by the process, here’s my advice:
START NOW!
You will never feel 100% ready. There will always be “what ifs.” Especially, if you’re an overthinker, INFJ (oh wait, am I just describing myself here?)

If you’re currently preparing your documents, stuck in the application maze, tired of talking to yourself or simply need someone to talk to, drop a comment or message me. I’d love to help 💌
Are you also considering Sweden for your Master’s? Let me know in the comments! I’d be fired up to chat to another fellow overthinker on the same journey.

I’ll be sharing more about my admission results and the next steps in my next post. Until then, stay tuned!

Still overthinking but hopeful,
C

(re) starting point: a letter to myself?

So, to start, I have begun preparing, building up my ‘knowledge’ as I to what pursuing further studies means, as I go. That is, by applying for my Master’s degree.

For those of you who know me (and those who don’t), I am what you might call a mediocre. I graduated in 2018 and have been working as a digital practitioner ever since. Ah, to give you a little backstory, I once dreamed of becoming a diplomat. Or a reporter. Those were two roles that stuck with me, that I still vividly remember, as my dream job(s).

Long short story, my context becomes digitally-themed.

I am an INFJ, someone who constantly searches for meaning, purpose and vision. That applies to my work too. It really gets to me when the context of what I am doing is unclear. It frustrates me when I can’t see what is the bigger picture or the goal behind what I (or my team) are building. Non-transparency irritates me (and everyone as it should!). Lack of clarity isn’t just inconvenient. It’s agonizing.

Now, as I have been working for 5 years (more or less?), I realized that it’s time for me to amplify my skills, knowledge, and enhance my capacity. Not just technically, but holistically. For me, one way to do that is through pursuing a Master’s degree. As time goes on, I keep asking myself: What do I want to learn? What are the fields that I want to understand more? What do I want to do? And mind you, this process of self-understanding is a never-ending journey. You keep discovering new, intriguing things about yourself which most of it are annoying, but they’re part of you. So yeah. Hahaha.

All I know is, I want to become who’s truly good at what she does, someone who can make a real impact. Maybe, just maybe, I’m already partway there. But I know that I need to amplify myself.. holistically. I need to keep finding myself. And that might mean pushing myself to the limit into unfamiliar territory, diving deep into difficult topics I care about, in a language that is not even my own. “But even in doubt, especially when you’re so full of self-doubt, when you can’t seem to believe in yourself, just take the step” – I keep reminding myself.

Bonus photo: Letter of Acceptances with censorship for personal details 😉

University of Leeds:

University of Auckland:

The University of Melbourne:

So… where would she go?

She doesn’t have the full map yet. But she knows she wants to walk with intention. To grow deeper in her field. To chase clarity, purpose, and impact. Not just in her career, but in herself.

Maybe she’ll end up somewhere entirely unexpected. Maybe she’ll circle back to old dreams: diplomacy, storytelling, or, something in between. Or maybe, just maybe, she’s already on the right path, and the Master’s degree is just another lens to see it more clearly? To see the purpose from different perspectives but so much clearer?

Where would she go?

I believe she’ll go forward. With doubt in one pocket, and hope in the other.

A Lesson from My Bags

Akhir-akhir ini gue lagi berpikir tentang korelasi antara packing dan closed-minded. Menurut gue, dua hal ini cukup berhubungan. Pertanyaannya cukup simple dan kalo gue tarik ke diri sendiri: kenapa ya gue suka excessive kalo packing?

Kalo pertanyaan ini cukup relate, menurut gue jawabannya biasanya adalah karena ada perasaan cemas kalau-kalau baju atau barang yang dibawa ga akan cukup selama perjalanan. Kadang, kita udah tau kalau nanti akan memungkinkan untuk bajunya dicuci tapi tetep aja bawa berlebih. Atau kadang, semua udah masuk koper, tapi ada satu atau dua barang yang entah kenapa harus diselipin masuk koper lagi karena lebih ngerasa aman aja gitu kalau barang itu ikutan dibawa. Selain koper, biasanya masih bawa ransel yang cukup berat (biasanya isinya laptop atau gadget hehe).

Dan sering, tas yang berat ini ga diletakin. Disandang aja gitu padahal bahu atau tangan sebenernya udah sakit.

Salahkah? Engga. Tapi kenapa, ya?

Menurut gue, ini merupakan satu contoh kalau manusia itu cenderung bertindak berdasarkan emosi. Rasa aman ini adalah emosi yang sebenernya ga terbukti juga. Dengan gue tidak bawa baju lebih misalnya, gue seengganya udah ngelakuin 3 hal:

Bawa beban lebih ringan
Ga harus effort lebih untuk inget semua barang yang gue bawa (karena 40% dari itu bisa aja ga gue pake juga)
Menghindarkan gue dari sakit tangan dan bahu

Tiga hal positif ini sebenernya udah cukup menjadi pengingat bahwa sebaiknya gue gausah bawa barang berlebih kalo perjalanan, kan. Tapi, gue tetep mentingin emosi gue yang bilang “bawa barang lebih banyak = lebih aman”, padahal bahu gue jadinya sakit.

Berhubung gue sedang dalam perjalanan dinas ke luar kota, sebelum berangkat gue mulai nerapin “efisiensi” ini. Gue bawa baju/ barang secukupnya dan ternyata gue ngerasa lebih ringan, lebih nyaman bahkan sebenernya gue bisa bawa lebih sedikit lagi. Jadi kenapa selama ini gue bawa barang berat-berat, ya?

Ini, menurut gue adalah salah satu bentuk manifestasi dari close-mindedness itu sendiri, yaitu (minjem kalimat ChatGPT) ‘ketidakmampuan melepaskan kontrol’. Gue takut ngerasa ‘tidak aman’, perasaan yang sebenernya adalah tidak pasti dan ga perlu untuk ditakutin.

Matthew 28: I will be with you always, even until the end of the world (CEV).

Here’s to open-mindedness & to be more of an essentialist.

God bless us,

Cindy