The Change We Seek–University Students in Lund are Giving Back

Edward Louis Johnson

A group of 12 students at Lund University are embodying the change we seek for a brighter tomorrow through voluntarily tutoring others.

Grey clouds impose upon a barren city street. The entire world feels seen as though through a gloomy filter. But with just a turn to the right, I am greeted by a warm inside. Malmö Nation is one of the student halls at Lund University. They recently initiated a project alongside the Red Cross Youth Organisation to help students across the city with their studies.

Sitting down across from the students that have led this initiative, Gustav Dyhre and Patrik Utterström, I am compelled to ask what Malmö Nation really has to offer High School students. As if media-trained, they respond in chorus that as university students they not only recently faced the same challenges as many of those they help, but are also deeply engaged within subjects students need help studying.

Confidently, I hear how they are “professionals” when it comes to their respective areas of study. You will not find better tutors, they assure me. I am convinced, because who would be a better teacher than students who know what it is like to be taught? While they emphasise they too face a learning curve–not one as students, rather teachers–it is hard to believe they would not be of tremendous use for anyone looking for help.

Yet, honestly, I am not here to ask about their organisation. I am here to ask why they do it; why they decide to dedicate their time to helping others. Simply, why they choose to embody the change that we seek; taking responsibility for a community they are not accountable to. The answers inspire me. While not surprising, the clear evidence of good people at work doing good deeds reinforces my faith in humanity.

“I want to help where I can help,” said Mechanical Engineering student Maja Fransson.

She told me about how she too had needed help in High School and saw this as her way of giving back. Directing her answer toward younger people looking to the future, she underscored that sometimes things just have to go wrong before they go right. It is all a process and knowing what you do not want to do is also a good thing.

“The more you know, the braver you are in trying,” underpinned Engineering student Jonathan Martin-Löf.

“It can be difficult getting the help you need” in High School, said Meja Helmersson. She found the tutor programme especially useful because it could reinforce schools by giving students another means of complementing their education.

The entire group agreed that stopping by at Malmö Nation and just asking about university life could be a clear way of gaining knowledge and perspective. Acknowledging that she would not have accepted this sentiment when she was applying to university, Meja Helmersson said that everything ends up working out and that she could have been more calm in her application process. The table nods in agreement.

Their advice, especially from the two that organised the whole thing, was to stop by with a friend. They said it was at least worth trying. You might just find you got answers to what you were not looking for. I know I did.

With that, I said my goodbyes, gained 2 followers for Katte Gazette on Instagram, and moved on with my life–my heart a little warmer. It is about being the change we seek, and at least on one heavy Monday afternoon, these Lund University students were leading the way.

Social media: @laxhjalpmalmonation

Contact: laxhjalp@malmonation.com