Hario Priambodho

Hario came from Indonesia and graduated from the MSc programme in 2018. He is currently a PhD student at Lund University's Department of Communication and Media, specifically in media and communication studies. He plans on continuing down the path of an academic for the foreseeable future.

What Made You Choose this Programme and Lund University?

I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s program somewhere in Scandinavia, so I applied for a number of master’s program across the region. I made the department’s master’s program as my top choice during the application phase because I had read about what the department is doing in terms of research and activities through their website. I figured it would have been a perfect for me considering that my professional experience was in journalism that dealt a lot with media entertainment and popular culture.

Looking Back, How Would You Describe Your Experience?

My experience was endlessly enlightening. Looking back over the years of doing the master’s program, I realized that it was a dream situation for me. Having done my undergraduate studies in the United States, the academic environment at the department was quite different for all the right reasons. You are treated with respect as individuals who have real opportunities to contribute to the discourses and discussions around numerous topics. Growing up in a rather hierarchical society in Indonesia, I found that the studying environment at the university is less concerned about who’s on top or who’s your subordinate. Rather every individual is given an equal chance to flourish and more importantly, seek help or initiate conversations with just about anybody regardless of their position. This created an atmosphere of positivity and support that came a long way in helping me realize my academic potential. Add in equally important factors such as the quality of instructors, course content, and a beautiful city to live in to boot, my experience at Lund University can be considered to be life changing. So much so that I strived and managed to successfully extend my stay in Lund by becoming a doctoral student at the department.

I think for the two years of doing the master’s program helped me significantly in figuring out what I actually want to do in life, or at least solidified it. At the beginning of the master’s program I wouldn’t have imagined that I would be pursuing a PhD three years later. Even though I had the idea of pursuing the life of a researcher or lecturer as a career, the puzzle pieces didn’t really fall into place until mid-way through the master’s program. I think having been stimulated intellectually only heightened my interest in the academic world and built up my confidence that I have something to contribute in academia. Furthermore, I’m confident that I have made lifelong friends who are now an integral part of my day to day and social life.

What Was Your Master's Thesis On? 

In short, my master’s thesis was a research on audiences of the cult film The Room (Wiseau, 2003). The thesis was done based on interviews and observations of audiences in The Room screenings in Malmö and Copenhagen. In the thesis, I elaborate on the nuances of camp, “so bad it’s good” films, and irony.

What Was Your Experience with Supervision and Research at the Department?

In all honesty, I couldn’t have accomplished what I set out to do if it wasn’t for the exceptional quality of supervision and also the supportive research environment. Never was I told that some idea is far too crazy or impossible. I was nurtured to be explorative and adventurous, specifically in bringing in theories, concepts, and also methods. In short, the supervision gave me a sense of reassurance that I was on the right track or at least steered me in the right direction.

What Advice Would You Give Current and Future Students in the Programme?

I’ve always been a big believer in the importance of keeping balance between work and your private life. I think this is another advantage of the university’s environment. You are actually encouraged to take time for yourself and for others who are significant to your personal lives. Never are you obligated to prioritize work above all else. Because of this, I would advise future students to really take your time and don’t get too burned out in the beginning. I always tell new cohorts (when I was mentoring them) to consider the whole master’s program as a marathon and not a 100m sprint. You have time to complete all your tasks and do an excellent job on them. Work hard on the weekdays and spend some time for yourself on the weekends. Additionally, do try to socialize and make friends along the way. You don’t have to be super friendly with all 30 people in your cohort, but find a small circle of friends that will no doubt prove invaluable during your two years in managing stress, finding support for any type of matters, and also provide constructive academic feedback.