“They prepare you to influence the future.” Runa on studying Forest & Landscape
Runa Wasshausen, 22, didn’t plan on moving from Germany to a small green campus in southern Sweden. She only knew one thing for sure: she wanted to study something connected to nature — and she didn’t want a narrow, industry-focused forestry degree.
So she did what most people her age do.
She googled.
That’s how she found the bachelor’s programme Forest & Landscape at SLU Alnarp.
“I read the curriculum and thought: this is exactly what i want” she says. “It wasn’t only about timber or production. It was about people, landscapes, ecology… a wider perspective on the forest as an ecosystem and how we use it.”
Runa grew up near forests and always felt at home among trees, but she hadn’t been deeply involved in environmental organisations before. Some clean-ups, some protests — nothing formal.
But she did carry something with her into the programme: a strong sense of fairness. A gut feeling that something was off in the way society treats nature and the communities who depend on it.
She would soon learn the name for it: environmental injustice.
Seeing the forest differently — one excursion at a time
Runa lights up when she talks about the hands-on parts of the programme.
“I loved the ecology course,” she says. “And the excursions in forest management — going out, seeing the stands, touching the soil, finally understanding things you’ve only talked about in class. That’s my favourite part.”
Being out there doesn’t just make the theory clearer — it sharpens your sense of what’s at stake.
“In cities, people appreciate greenery. They want trees, parks, more plants. But in rural areas, forests are often seen mainly as a source of income,” she explains. “To change that, you need financial support and a shift in mindset.”
“Why doesn’t the government care about Indigenous people?”
When the topic turns to environmental justice, Runa’s voice changes. She leans forward, with frustration and clarity in equal measure.
“There’s more environmental injustice than people think,” she says. “Why doesn’t governments care about Indigenous people? And what can we actually do?”
The programme didn’t just teach her ecology — it gave her the language to describe the injustice she had always felt but never knew the actual depth of.
She talks about a text they read in one of their courses, about plans for mining in northern Sweden — right in core reindeer-herding areas used by Sámi communities. The text made a strong impression on her, as it gave her a deeper understanding of issues around land rights and how government decisions affect reindeer herding.
“And it’s bigger than that. It’s not only the Sámi and their reindeer — it’s the forests, the wildlife, every living thing that depends on that land. When did money become more important than life?
She pauses, then says what she truly believes:
“If we listened to Indigenous people and did things more the way they do, the world would be a better place. They live with nature, not against it. They know sustainable forest management because their lives depend on it.”
For Runa, this isn’t academic theory — it’s a moral compass.
Learning from the world without leaving campus
Runa already knows exactly what she wants after graduation: nature tourism.
“I want to educate people and share my love for nature,” she says. “I want people to understand that nature has value in itself — not just a monetary value.”
She hopes to inspire a chain reaction: one person influencing another, who influences another.
And she’s convinced that kind of ripple effect starts with the people around you. That’s why the programme’s international dynamic means so much to her. “We have people from so many backgrounds and climate zones, and guest lecturers from all over the world,” she says. “It makes the world feel bigger without having to travel. You see different ways of managing forests — and all the possibilities that come with that.”
To anyone considering Forest & Landscape, Runa’s advice is straightforward but confident:
“They prepare you well. You learn the latest research. You graduate with the tools to influence the future.”
And if someone is unsure?
“Just email study@slu.se. They’ll connect you with a student who can take you to class and show you around the campus. Come and see it for yourself!”
Then she adds one final thought:
“There are so many opportunities — you can tailor the programme to what you care about. That’s the best part. You can shape your own path.”
About the bachelor's program Forest and Landscape
Dreaming of working with forests and nature?
Do you want to make a difference for the forests of the future? The Forest and Landscape program gives you knowledge about how forests function – from the ecology of trees to the role entire landscapes play for people and the environment. You'll learn to understand the forest's role in society and how we can manage it sustainably.
During your studies, you can also explore the world – for instance, by studying abroad in the Netherlands.
After graduation, you'll have opportunities to work as an advisor or specialist for government agencies, municipalities, forestry companies, or in the private sector.
Turn your passion for nature into your future! Learn more and apply here!
Contact
-
Person