MESPOM student stories

MESPOM students and alumni come from over 80 countries of five continents. A typical MESPOM student has graduated with top grades from a good university and has some experience of voluntary or professional environmental work. She or he understands global environmental challenges and has a clear commitment to contribute to their resolution.

A typical MESPOM class is a mix of (a) engineers and natural scientists seeking to work in policy or management positions (about 30-40% of students), (b) students with backgrounds in social sciences and humanities (about 30-40% of students) seeking to learn about scientific and technical aspects of environmental protection and (c) environmental practitionerswho seek to supplement their practical experience with formal knowledge about the environment. By consciously mixing these different categories in one classroom, encouraging their learning from each other and structuring the curriculum in such a way that it enables planning individually tailored careers, MESPOM has contributed to hundreds of successful environmental careers.

The MESPOM Program has attracted students from prestigeous international universities such as BostonBrownLeidenLundMcGillMcMasterMoscow State, Peking and Stanford, as well as Universities of Andes (Columbia), AucklandCanberraCape TownCosta RicaBritish ColumbiaCalifornia (Santa Barbara), CopenhagenNew DelhiOxfordPuebla (Mexico), San Marcos (Peru), SheffieldToronto and Washington (Seattle), Weseda (Japan) among others.

Check this page for regularly updated stories of our students!

MESPOM Student Stories

My year in a nutshell: by Malek al Jebaie

In 2019, I discovered a MOOC course offered by Lund University on Greening Cities that introduced me to the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) and MESPOM. Four years later, I found myself walking around the historic corners of Lund, exploring its libraries and town, and receiving knowledge inside the iconic Aula classroom.

Roadripping with Batch 17, blog story by Erika

I’m Erika Kalkofen, a Batch 17 MESPOMer from the USA. Following my studies in International Relations, I spent 2 years in Zambia working with farmers on conservation farming techniques to adapt to climate change. This experience sparked my passion and interest for environmental sciences.To gain more knowledge in this field, I applied to the MESPOM programme.

I was impressed by its alumni network and, its interdisciplinary offerings made environmental sciences easily accessible for students with a different background like me.

Back to Greece, the MESPOM Lesvos semester told by Kaja

I am Kaja and, before joining the MESPOM programme, I had studied Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Major in Earth and Environmental Sciences in Freiburg, Germany. When studying abroad in Budapest during my undergraduate, I ran into some MESPOM students who had just started their studies at CEU. I was fascinated by that diverse, open and friendly group. Everyone I spoke to had interesting and yet different background and a lot of captivating stories to tell. When it was my time to apply for a Master programme, I remembered these people and their stories, and tried my luck.

MESPOM summer internship at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

By Su-Mae Chua

Hello, Su-Mae here.

I am a Malaysian-born Human Geographer, yoga enthusiast, and an advocate of Environmental and Social Justice. I grew up in Shanghai, London, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong, where I spent more than half of my childhood on a tennis court. I joined the MESPOM programme after completing my BA Geography degree at University College London, to address a personal knowledge gap and to gain exposure in different European university institutions.

Being on the MESPOM journey I am exactly where I was meant to be

Carmen Margiotta:
Ever since starting my MESPOM journey I have felt that I was exactly where I was meant to be

“With knowledge comes caring, and with caring comes change”: student’s story by Rimante (batch 15)

April 22, 2021

My name is Rimante, and I was born in Lithuania. For my bachelor I studied Communications. During this period, I took part in 3 exchange programmes in Portugal, Germany, and China. Right before embarking the MESPOM journey I worked as a communication specialist, focusing on international marketing communications.

The role of natural organic matter in controlling the behavior of iron in natural waters at Manchester – thesis topic of Kollie, batch 15 Manchester track student

Hello, can you introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Kollie Tokpah, and I am from Liberia. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Cuttington University. I had the opportunity to work in quality management, but also environmental-related issues that arise in the manufacturing industry.

The role of social media sustainability influencers - thesis topic of Gara, batch 15 Lund track student

During this second semester, 2nd year MESPOM students are working on their thesis research. This week, Gara, batch 15 Lund-track, told us about her extremely relevant and novel thesis topic!

Hi! My name is Gara and this is my MESPOM story.

Daniela, MESPOM Student batch 15 shared her personal story with us: it’s never too late to go after your dreams!

Hi, I'm Daniela Ariolli, Brazilian, 36 years old, and I would like to share with you a little bit about my story!

I've always dreamed of living in Europe. This desire became stronger during my bachelor studies in environmental management when I learned that most of the area's inspiring practices came from this continent. However, after graduation I got a job offer at PwC, leaving my dream temporarily dormant. The career plan and dynamic routine of various consulting and sustainability audit projects in big companies from different sectors attracted me for several years.

Summer Internship at the German Development Institute - Rupal, Student Batch 15

Rupal from MESPOM Student batch 15 told us about her summer internship at The German Development Institute

I am Rupal Verma, currently a second year MESPOM student and a material science engineer by background. My interest in Environmental studies only grew when I was working for the India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards, with the Government of India.

Updated: May 5, 2023