How Cinthya Yuanita, an Indonesian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Technology, Work and Health at KTH Royal Institute of Technology Through the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals

Hi! My name is Cinthya Yuanita, and I’m from Indonesia. I’m a medical doctor with a Master’s degree in Occupational Medicine from University of Indonesia. Before coming to Sweden, I had been working for 9 years in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), mainly supporting companies in industries such as oil and gas, mining, and transportation.

In 2024, I received the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP) to pursue an MSc in Technology, Work and Health at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. I decided to pursue a second master's degree because I wanted to explore occupational health from a different perspective. My previous education gave me an adequate medical foundation, but I wanted to better understand how technology, work organization, and the working environment influence people's well-being.

Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals Details

The SISGP is a scholarship offered by the Swedish Institute (SI). The scholarship supports professionals from eligible countries who want to pursue a master's degree in Sweden and use their knowledge and experience to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

One of the things I appreciate about this scholarship is that it goes beyond financial support for education. It also offers opportunities to connect with professionals from different countries and backgrounds through the SI network. The scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a monthly allowance to help with living expenses, and includes a one-time travel grant.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

In 2024, I was also offered the opportunity to pursue an MSc in Occupational Health and Sustainable Work at Maastricht University in the Netherlands through the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship. The programme offers full scholarships to talented students from outside the EU/EEA and is highly competitive, with only around 2% of applicants receiving the award.

Educational Background

My academic background is in medicine. I completed my medical degree and later pursued a Master’s degree in Occupational Medicine in Indonesia, with a GPA of 3.65.

Although my previous Master’s degree was already closely related to my work, I wanted to broaden my knowledge and explore the field from a different point of view. My medical background was helpful because some of the health-related topics covered in the programme were familiar to me. I was also accustomed to reading scientific literature, evaluating research findings, and writing academic papers, which helped me adapt to the academic aspects of the programme.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to KTH Royal Institute of Technology?

I started by looking for programmes that matched my professional interests, academic background, and long-term goals. I researched universities and programmes, compared their curricula with my interests, and considered how the knowledge would be useful in my future work.

I found information through university websites and official scholarship websites. After that, I shortlisted the programmes that best matched my background and eligibility. I then created a checklist of the requirements for each scholarship and university so I could keep track of what I already had and what I still needed to prepare.

Planning my schedule was also important because I was doing all of this while working full-time. I’m a big fan of Gantt charts, so I created a timeline to map out the application deadlines, document preparation, and other requirements. This helped me break the process into smaller tasks and manage my time more realistically alongside my work responsibilities.

I think it’s important to start early, stay organized, and find a planning system that works for you. You don’t have to do everything at once, but having a clear overview can make the application process feel much more manageable.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS test. I prepared for it through self-study for around three months while managing my full-time job.

How Is Your Experience at KTH Royal Institute of Technology?

My experience at KTH has been both challenging and rewarding. Moving to another country to study at a different stage of life meant adjusting to a new academic environment, culture, and way of learning. One thing I appreciated was the opportunity to learn with people from different educational and professional backgrounds. The programme also encouraged me to think critically, connect theory with real-world situations, and question assumptions that I might previously have taken for granted. It was not always easy, but I believe that stepping outside my comfort zone was an important part of the learning experience.

My classes at KTH were conducted in English, as English is the main language of instruction for master's programmes at the university. From the beginning, I felt that KTH made an effort to support international students by providing information and guidance even before we arrived in Sweden. Through newsletters, webinars, and the introduction programme, students could learn more about academic life and practical matters related to moving to a new country. There were also services to help students settle in, including programme coordinators, student counselling, and housing assistance. What I particularly appreciated was that KTH also provided information for students planning to move with their families. Although family accommodation is limited and cannot be guaranteed, KTH Housing allows eligible students to indicate that they will be bringing a spouse or children so that suitable accommodation can be considered. As someone who had to think about family arrangements as well as studying abroad, I found this consideration helpful. Overall, I appreciated that KTH's support extended beyond academics and recognized that adjusting to a new country also involves practical and personal challenges.

What Did You Pursue After the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals?

I returned to Indonesia and resumed my work at the same company where I worked before pursuing my degree in Sweden. I hope to apply the knowledge and perspectives I gained at KTH to my work in occupational health and safety, while continuing to learn and grow professionally. For me, the experience was not only about earning another degree, but also about gaining new insights that I could bring back to my workplace and share with others.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I cannot say for sure what made my application stand out, as the selection process involves many factors.

I think my professional background aligned well with the SISGP selection criteria, particularly its focus on leadership experience, professional development, and the potential to contribute to sustainable development in my home country.

I also think that my professional experience in occupational health helped me explain why I wanted to pursue this particular programme. I had seen how workplace health challenges require more than medical knowledge, which motivated me to learn more about technology, work organization, and the working environment. I tried to connect my past experience with what I wanted to learn and how I hoped to apply that knowledge in the future.

What Would You Have Done Differently If You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could go through the process again, I would start preparing earlier to give myself more time to manage all the requirements, especially while working full-time. Most importantly, I would remind myself not to wait until everything feels perfect before applying. Preparation matters, but taking the first step matters too.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice is to start early, read the scholarship requirements carefully, and give yourself enough time to prepare. Be genuine when telling your story. You do not need to have the most extraordinary background or the longest list of achievements. Focus on why you want to pursue the programme and how it fits your goals. Most importantly, do not wait until everything feels perfect before applying. Prepare as well as you can and give yourself the chance to try.