When a desire to be outdoors becomes a career path

That may be exactly why Esaias is such a strong example of how Forest & Landscape is not just for those who can tell a pine from a spruce at fifty metres. For him, it all began with something much simpler:
a desire to spend more time outdoors.

“I studied psychology and sociology for a year,” he says. “But I realised I missed being outside. I wanted to work with something concrete — something that felt… important.”

A friend mentioned the bachelor’s programme Forest & Landscape. Esaias started googling, reading up, and got stuck on one particular word: jägmästare — professional forester. Suddenly, a whole professional world opened up.

“I’d heard the term before, but I didn’t really know what it meant. I don’t come from a forestry background, so I had no idea how many opportunities there actually were.”

A multidisciplinary path into the forest

When Esaias talks about why he chose the programme, it’s clear he wasn’t looking for a specific job title. He was looking for a broader perspective.

What drew him in was the mix: ecology, people, landscapes, aesthetics and decision-making — the combination of forest science and landscape architecture.

“You get a better overall understanding when you look at things from different angles,” he says. “It becomes easier to make good decisions when you understand both nature and how people use it.”

And then, with a smile, he adds:

“I also wanted to study close to Gothenburg. Alnarp was perfect.”

Knowledge that follows you every time you step outside

The first year has been a mix of aha moments and completely new terminology. Learning to identify tree species turned out to be an unexpected favourite.

“It’s knowledge you use all the time,” he says. “Now when I walk in the forest, I notice details I never paid attention to before. It’s actually fun to recognise trees.”

He smiles again.

“It’s become a bit of a sport to guess the species before the teacher says it.”

And even though Esaias doesn’t have any forest land in his family, he has quickly realised how many people in Sweden are connected to forestry in one way or another.

“I’ve understood how big the forest industry actually is in Sweden. Many more people than I expected have some kind of connection to it. It feels like I’ve stepped into a completely new world.”

Community that extends beyond the classroom

The field studies have also left a strong impression: Genarp, sample plots, measurements, heights and diameters.

“I’ve felt really good being outside so much,” Esaias says. “There’s something about being in the forest that makes it easier to be present.”

Any initial worry about not “fitting in” disappeared quickly.

“Everyone has been friendly. Older students are helpful, the class is fun, and the student union organises a lot of activities. It was much easier than I thought to find my place.”

At the same time, the studies have made climate issues feel more tangible.

“The threats are clearer now,” he says. “But it also feels like I have tools to understand what the forest needs. That makes a difference.”

To those considering applying

Esaias doesn’t overstate his advice:

“Ask yourself whether this way of looking at the forest appeals to you. The programme focuses a lot on environmental issues and biodiversity, but also on aesthetic and economic values. It’s broad — and that’s what makes it interesting.”

When I ask what the forest means to him now, after a year in the programme, his answer is simple:

“It’s a place that gives you perspective. And I like the idea that what I do might influence the future — even if I don’t yet know exactly how.”

Perhaps that’s where Forest & Landscape begins for many students — not in what they already know, but in what they want to understand. The forest needs new perspectives, not just old traditions. Esaias is clear proof that even a city kid can find a sense of belonging there.