Minimax: The Health Issue by Minimax

MINIMAX

THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION AT STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

THE HEALTH ISSUE

C O N T R I B U T O R S 2

LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE PUBLISHER Asmir Mahmuljin mediapres@sasse.se EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia Krall cred@sasse.se PHONE NUMBER 073 747 09 20 VISITING ADDRESS Saltmätargatan 13-17 ADDRESS Minimax/HHS Box 6501 113 83 Stockholm COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Isabelle He TREASURER Nicklas Kövamees PRINTING HOUSE Printr CONTRIBUTORS Adam Westergård Anja Tuneld Athina Swahn Beatrice Cederholm Felix Nilsson Johanna Lim Falk Shannon Felländer-Tsai SSE Alumni Club MINIMAX is the official SASSE magazine. MINIMAX is religiously and politically independent. Opinions uttered in MINIMAX do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial staff or the Student Association. The magazine is printed in approximately 3000 copies and is published four times a year. MINIMAX is liberated from VAT and sorted under the Media Committee in SASSE. The editorial staff may edit and reject contributed material. MINIMAX is not responsible for any material sent in to the magazine.

CAPITAL PARTNERS

*McKinsey & Company is also a Capital Partner 3

Table of Contents 4

7 9 11 13 16 17 19 23 25 27 29 31 33 34 35 37 39 40 41 42 43

The SASSE Board The President of SASSE on Student Health The SSE Paradox The School’s Response: Interview with the President of SSE #MeToo, Sexual Harassment and SSE Mindful Mondays Student Profile: Elin Wiklander Stress, Compassion, and Knowing Yourself with Emma Stenström The Gut Flora - Your Best Friend: An Interview with Foodpharmacy Tuning In, Winding Down: The News about the Biological Clock Hallvarsson & Halvarsson Profile: Josefin Backlund The Future of Minimax The Universiade Student European Championships GELS: In Search for Equality in our Classrooms Mental Health in Hip-Hop Opinion: Homo Economicus – Friend or Foe? INITIATE The Big Remedy SSE Alumni Club SSE Alumni Profile: Maria Paulsson Rönnbäck

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR When deciding on the theme for our first issue, this year’s editorial team wanted to investigate an issue that we think is incredibly important: Health. It is common knowledge that the students at SSE do not feel well. For some this may be more personal, while most have experienced some level of stress during their time at SSE. We all experience stress in different ways- whether it is stems from the academic environment or from other outside factors. Stress, and the problems that it is accompanied by, is such a normal part of the life at SSE that it has a name, “Handelshets”. In this issue, we wanted to discuss health broadly to highlight the numerous ways our health is affected every day, both in and outside of class. Our hope is to continue the conversation started in earlier issues of Minimax and other SASSE projects about how students here feel, aid in destigmatizing mental health, and show how important it is that each student feels like they can go their own path and ask for help whenever they need it. Take care of yourselves, and each other, out there in the halls of SSE!

OLIVIA KRALL Editor-in-chief 17/18 PHOTO // KRISTA GLÖDSTAF DESIGN // FRANSISKA ASPEGRÉN 5

EDITORIAL TEAM 2017/2018

Art Director: Krista Glödstaf 6

Vice Editor-in-chief: Sigurd Log Røren

DESIGN | FILIPPA HÖGLING

Editor-in-chief: Olivia Krall

Photographer: Isabelle He

Layout Designer: Fransiska Aspegrén

Layout Designer: Filippa Högling

Layout Designer: Sylvia Hongqiushui Zheng

Journalist: Ludvig Eksandh

Business Relations Editor: Johanna Persson

Journalist: Sara Engström

Editor: Matilda Fors

Business Relations Editor: Emma Hamre

Editor: Vendela Palmquist PHOTO | ISABELLE HE

SOFIA ARNEKULL

CLARENCE VON ROSEN Social Committee President

Business Committee President

My main work within student health has been focusing on the preparations and development of the SASSE Board’s Operational Plan. The SASSE Board rallied behind the common main goal to focus on student health and wellbeing. Since our final copy of the Operational Plan was completed, I’ve had feedback meetings with all eight committee presidents, as well as the vice president and the treasurer to, amongst others, check how it goes with the individual goals focusing on student health. I’m currently looking over how well everyone, including myself, has reached our goals regarding student health.

The Social Committee and it’s Social Master are raising awareness through soonto-be introduced bathroom posters, creating tools with the incredible upcoming Inspiration Week, and providing support through Studenthälsan and other health providers.

The SASSE Board did not include a specific “health-objective” for the BC in the operational plan that was approved by the Student Council before the summer since we did not see any natural one to pursue. We thus concluded that, rather than shoehorning one in, it was better for the BC to focus its efforts on other priorities. However, in my capacity as a SASSE Board member, I do of course support and help the health initiative to the best of my abilities.

The President

CARL KUGELBERG

THE SASSE BOARD 17/18

WHAT CONCRETE ACTIONS IS YOUR COMMITTEE DOING TO IMPROVE STUDENT HEALTH AT SSE? MARIA BERGSTEN

International Committee President The first concrete action we have taken within IntU is to educate and discuss stress management actively with the newly recruited project leaders. The second one is that we are promoting a healthy choice of food and drinks at all of our events, meaning that the selection should be varied, vegetarian/vegan, and environmental friendly when possible.

DESIGN | SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

FREDRIK AGMÉN

Entertainment Committee President We are improving the amount of alcohol-free alternatives at the pub and banquets we’re organizing. We are trying to achieve a level of quality where your drinks are as well made whether they are alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

SOFIE ERIKSSON

GUSTAV ALÉ SVENSSON

Education Committee President

Sports Committee President

In my position as president of the Education Committee this year I reinstated the Student Health Council, a forum for SASSE and SSE to meet and discuss student health matters. We recieved money from the Initiative Fund to arrange a lecture with Karol Vieker on how behaviors in interpersonal relations affect students wellbeing and perceptions. To offer students a chance to be more prepared, enhance their learning and reduce unnecessary stress, we have started to arrange lectures on study- and presentation skills.

Offering many different weekly activities such as yoga, football, and cheerleading, which creates an opportunity for students to take a break from intense studies. Also, we are raising awareness on general health issues by being a part of the Student Health Council, a forum where we highlight poor mental health problems and work on solutions.

JAKOB HAMMARSKJÖLD IT Committee President

The IT Committee tries to promote gaming as a relaxed activity for recuperation. This is done through different events, but also by making sure our room has a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where people can take a break from their studies and other commitments. We also try to facilitate the use of the website so that the other parts of the organization can realize and market their own initiatives.

NICKLAS KÖVAMEES The Treasurer

I am responsible for the Health Initiative Fund, which has 20k sek to distribute to SASSE initiatives that improve student health. As of now, the fund has financed a mindfulness lecture, an upcoming seminar on master suppression techniques, and poster frames that will provide health information at the school’s toilets.

ASMIR MAHMULJIN

Media Committee President The Media Committee is using its projects to raise awareness and educate about student health. Radio Kaos is a good example, they just released an episode in collaboration with the famous Ångestpodden where they discussed many of the health problems students usually experience here. Apart from that, we also designed the official logo for SASSE’s health initiative that is #sasselifestyle and are making sure that it is used on all marketing material when appropriate!

PHOTO | KRISTA GLÖDSTAF

THE SASSE PRESIDENT ON HEALTH TEXT // SIGURD LOG RØREN

This year, the SASSE Board has chosen to focus on student health. Due to unhealthy levels of stress, the entire SASSE Board is working to improve students’ well-being. How do you think SSE students are feeling, mentally and physically? “I acknowledge the unhealthy level of stress among SSE students. The SASSE Board has chosen student health and well-being as our number one priority. The last SASSE Health Survey confirmed our concern, and shows that the average SSE student’s perceived level of stress on a scale 1-10 is seven during regular periods and intensifies up to ten (maximum) during exam periods. Most of you reading this article can probably recognize yourself in feeling stressed and not having enough time to do everything you would like to do. I believe that all of us would be better off by listening more to our own needs and well-being.”

and giving support, and 3) Promoting a healthy lifestyle. Each committee and individual within the board has taken responsibility to do their best to meet the expectations of all three objectives to assist our members. No matter what area of the organization you work with, it should be natural to think twice and try to incorporate student health when planning an event or project. If we start to genuinely ask each other how we feel instead of having a career focus and ask how it goes, I think that we can come a long way.”

How well do you think the initiative have worked out, this far? “I’m very happy about how far we have come and that all of us are continuing to strive in the same Why did you and the SASSE board chose to focus on direction. The aim of the new SASSE-lifestyle logo health this year? is to continue and encourage initiatives focusing “In Sweden stress is the most common reason for on student health. Yoga and mindfulness are now people being on sick leave. The probability of you offered. A natural cooperation between SSE and knowing someone being on sick leave at this very SASSE has also been introduced thanks to the Stumoment is high. We cannot hide from the fact dent Health Council.” that an increasing number of students all over Sweden are perceiving more negative stress than What speciﬁc health initiative in the association are what the society experienced only ten years you the proudest over? ago. We need to be a part of the solution try- “The initiative that I am most fond of is the Stuing to support each other and avoid unnecessary dent Health Initiative Fund. We added an amount stress. I often hear dreams of becoming big busi- of 20 000 SEK to encourage and promote initianess leaders. If SSE students are going to become tives focusing on student health. We already have our future leaders, a mindset focused on health money that can be applied for if SASSE members and well-being is essential.” have an idea or represent SASSE towards external parties, but this pot of money is newly inWhat do you want to achieve in the association with troduced. So far, we have approved applications regard to health? What do you consider as good re- concerning mindfulness, a lecture about suppressults from this initiative? sion techniques, and money to set up frames with “As stated in our operational goals, we, togeth- posters in all of the school’s bathrooms with iner as a board, have come up with three sub-tar- formation regarding available support tools and gets: 1) Raising awareness, 2) Providing tools contact details to the Stockholm Student Health Service (Studenthälsan).” 10

“I acknowledge the unhealthy level of stress among SSE students. The SASSE Board has chosen student health and well-being as our number one priority. PHOTO & DESIGN | KRISTA GLÖDSTAF

THE SSE PA R FEELING LIKE SHIT, WHILE STILL BEING HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE TEXT // SIGURD LOG RØREN

very year, the Social Committee tracks the health of SSE Students. After analyzing the results from the last survey, they think that it is time for SSE students to start prioritizing their own health. How do you think SSE students are feeling? “Based on the Health Survey that the Social Committee conducts every year, I can with confidence say that the students are doing very bad. It is interesting that, according to this survey, students are very stressed and feel like they are not in control of their everyday life. However, they are still happy with their lives”, says Ebba Jerre, Social Master in the Social Committee and responsible for the Health Survey. “Amongst other things, we have been discussing that stress has become normalized and possi-

PHOTO & DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

bly even something cool. Why is it cool to be stressed?” Clarence von Rosen, president of the Social Committee, asks slightly frustrated.

“It is one thing to be a bit stressed. It is another thing when it is affecting your physical health. Many students at SSE have problems connected to sleep, feeling anxious and some suffer from In the SASSE Health Survey, the panic attacks. We need students Social Committee investigat- to start prioritizing their own ed what the most important health”, Jerre says. stress factors for SSE students are. Most students find the aca- What should be done? demics at SSE the most stressful, and to some extent working be- “We need to talk more about side your academics. However, it that you are not alone. One turns out that few students find of the worst things with being SASSE and social activities as stressed is the feeling that evstressful. The Social Master also eryone else can do so much. We emphasizes the seriousness of all need to dare to talk about the stress felt by students at SSE. mental illness”, Jerre says. She also wants the students to understand how grave this issue is. “We need to talk “We need to get people to unmore about that you derstand that it can be dangerare not alone. One ous to feel so bad as some do. of the worst things When you first get burned out, with being stressed you get burned out for real.” is the feeling that starting point for action. everyone else can

do so much.

RADOX

Which responsibility does the school have? “The school has the main responsibility. We in the Social Committee, have a certain responsibility which we gladly take. However, the school have the ultimate responsibility”, Jerre states. The president of the Social Committee thinks that the school can do more, especially with the structure of the courses. “When we look at common stress factors in other types of work, a lack of control is the most important. At SSE many students feel that they do not know what is expected, how the exam will be structured etc. It would have been easier to deal with the work load if the expectations and structure of the courses were clearer,” von Rosen claims. He also thinks that it is good that we now know more about how SSE students are feeling so that SASSE can use it as a starting point for action. Do you think the school is doing enough? “No, personally, I do not think that. It is important that the students feel that the school cares. And if you look at the health surveys conducted by both the school and the association, you can see that the students feel that the school does not care,” Jerre says. “However, it is important to recognize that we have had a small positive development,” von Rosen injects diplomatically.

THE PRESIDENT OF SSE TEXT // OLIVIA KRALL AND SARA ENGSTRÖM

Lars Strannegård has seen Stockholm School of Economics through some major changes. In an interview, the President of SSE discusses his views on student health, the intensity of the education here, and what future changes he hopes to see implemented.

DESIGN & PHOTO // KRISTA GLÖDSTAF

The level of education at SSE is very high and can at times be very stressful. What are the school’s thoughts surrounding this? What are your thoughts on student health and how students are feeling? “This is a very important question that is constantly on my mind. In many ways, it is a question about sustainability. If you do not feel good, it is hard to perform well. Also, your study years are such a formative period in your lives; it is about everything from lifestyle to how you view the world to how you are affected by stress. I am very aware that this looks different in different programs, however, what all students at SSE have in common is that they are very ambitious and want to excel at what they do. On top of this comes the pressure from many parts of society to be perfect both physically and mentally. From a school perspective, this makes it difficult for us to identify the limits. If we increase or decrease study requirements,

what impact will it have on your experienced stress levels? If programs become more difficult and you have to study more, will it affect your health? Or do we need to consider broader societal factors? I think our role as a university is to set an even clearer framework for what our expectations are, and of course, always to assist and support our students with good student health services, so that you can rest assured that there are people who can help if things get out of hand.” Does the school feel that the communication about student health is an issue that the student association has primary responsibility for? Is it an initiative that the school serves as a supporting function for or is it a shared responsibility? “Of course, this is the school’s responsibility, but I also think we need to consider what kind of student culture develops and thrives here. SASSE plays a very

important role at the school, and we collaborate Today, students from all over the world come to with them as much as possible to make sure that SSE and entrust us with their education, the most we reach students in as many ways as we can.” formative years of their lives. If we do not set standards and requirements at the highest level, we Even though a more knowledge intensive educa- have failed them and done a bad job. I actually do tion is to the benefit of all students, the students not think it is the intensity of the education that are experiencing a gap between the expectations is the question, but rather the management of exof the top administration and the expectations of pectations. I know that the student culture at SSE the student culture. A heavier education should has a very strong focus on extracurricular activiimply less time for extracurricular activities, but ties, and I believe this culture has to change. This this is something the students either have missed will take time and we need to collaborate closely or experience as expected by employers. The with SASSE to get there.” main source of information is the older students when it comes to how much a student can take on Everything is experience based, however, so what during their time at SSE, even if the programs and weighs the most in recruitment processes is the circumstances have changed. extracurricular activities that one has outside of studying at SSE, which is very problematic. Do you experience that the top administration has failed in the communication to both students “Based on my daily and many interactions with and employing organizations as the expectations partner companies and alumni, I hold a slightly of students change with a more knowledge em- different view. On the contrary, I believe that we phasized education? must increase the intensity of the programs even more. This may seem controversial, but for you to “I know that extracurricular activities are an inte- get the jobs you desire, the most important will be gral part of the student experience at SSE and this that you have successfully completed your studies is part of what makes us a unique business school. here. It has to be difficult to get in and difficult to This, however, does not mean that you always have get out of SSE. If we do not increase the intensity to follow the footsteps of previous students. The and add content to the programs, I do not think world around us is changing, and for us as a top we are delivering the education you deserve. For business school it is more important than ever to you, an important task will be to prioritize and find make sure that our students are extremely well a balance, and we can help you do that.” educated, intellectually challenged and analytically equipped during their years at SSE. Has the communication between teachers and students through the Global Challenges course in It is also my firm belief that it is our responsibility the Business and Economics program helped at to ensure that your studies are always contextu- all? alized. That is why educational innovations such as Global Challenges are so important. I understand “The Global Challenges course is all about underthat younger students may perhaps feel extra standing the challenges that you will meet in your pressure right now, but in a few semesters, when professional lives.The third semester of the course everyone in the Business and Economics program is called ‘Being’ and focuses on self-awareness and has taken Global Challenges, that will change. I am self-reflection. We think it is incredibly important also convinced that compulsory attendance and to reflect on yourself: What do I want? How do I high requirements are beneficial to our students, want to spend my life? What do I think is importand I do not think it should be possible to study ant? The ‘Being’ course addresses these questions, either at KTH or KI while you are a student at SSE. and the connection to health and well-being is actually very strong. 15

It focuses on what I consider to be the biggest health issue: The importance of following the path in life that you want and are capable of, to make sure that you reach your full potential, and not to follow a path of obligations or someone else’s expectations. If you can do this, your stress levels will go down, you will end up in the right place, and this will lead to an increase in the value of a degree from SSE. This school has an incredibly large effect on society, in everything from large companies to politics to start-ups. SSE alumni control enormous resources. It is therefore our responsibility to educate accountable individuals. If all we do is educate individuals who do nothing but help themselves, then we have failed completely. We have to make sure our students feel responsible for society, regardless of where they end up working.That is why it is crucial for SSE students to be well educated, to be able to think critically, to listen, and to have empathy. They also need analytical and cultural skills to increase their ability to understand people from different types of backgrounds, cultures, and identities, and need to have an entrepreneurial approach to help make an impact and create change. By applying these abilities, you will see that you can actually make a difference in the world. We are not educating parts of a machine; we are dealing with world improvement. Once we will have established these skills throughout all programs, increased the ambition levels, and made our expectations clearer to all students, then we will have exceptionally improved the SSE education for everyone who has attended this school.”

INTERVIEW

LARS STRANNEGÅRD Lars Strannegård has been the president of Stockholm School of Economics since 2014.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SSE #METOO

We are all - students and employees alike responsible for creating an environment that is free from sexual harassment. It is important that we all take this responsibility seriously by setting a good example and clearly showing that we do not tolerate sexual harassment. This can, for example, be done by being aware of how your words The Swedish Discrimination Act prohibits sexual and actions may be interpreted by others, and by harassment and the law applies to both schools stopping and challenging any unacceptable behavior you encounter. and workplaces, which means both stu“We are all dents and employees are protected. One of the lessons we can learn from Sexual harassment can also be a crim- students and #MeToo is that no matter how good inal offense according to the Swedish employees alikeour preventative measures and rouPenal Code. responsible for tines are, the unthinkable can still hapcreating an envipen. When it happens, it is of utmost Sexual harassment is defined as unwel- ronment that is importance that the incident is reportcome behavior of a sexual nature, such free from sexual ed so that we can investigate it and as touching, jokes, suggestions, jargon take the appropriate actions. If you are or pictures. By law, the person who harassment. I don’t think anyone has missed #MeToo and the similar hashtags that have recently swept through social media and raised the extremely important issue of sexual harassment. I want to take this opportunity to clarify what Swedish law says and SSE’s position.

subjected to sexual harassment, talk feels that they have been sexually hato me or someone else that you trust, such as a rassed has the right to define what is unwelcome teacher or the SASSE Equality Representative. behavior. SSE has a zero-tolerance attitude regarding sexual harassment and actively works to prevent it from occurring. Furthermore, we are legally obligated to investigate and take appropriate measures when sexual harassment is brought to our attention. Perpetrators are subject to reprimand, suspension and expulsion/dismissal in accordance with the Discrimination Act, the SSE Disciplinary Regulations and Swedish labor laws. The matter may also be reported to the police in accordance with the penal code.

Please read the SSE Guidelines for Preventing and Addressing Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Harassment. They are available in both English and Swedish on the Student Portal under Student Support > Equal Treatment. And again, contact me if you experience something that just doesn’t feel right. Sexual harassment is illegal and you don’t have to put up with it!

Karol Vieker

SSE Equality and Diversity Manager karol.vieker@hhs.se PHOTO & DESIGN | KRISTA GLÖDSTAF

MINDFUL MONDAYS Student

Elin Wiklander has together with Lasse Lychnell, researcher and teacher at SSE, started teaching meditation to curious SSE students. They want to give students the tools to withstand a highpressure environment.

Why did you start the Mindful Mondays initiative? “I wrote about mindfulness amongst SSE Students in my Bachelor Thesis. It felt like a natural step to take the discussion further and to do something about it. My personal analysis is that mindfulness can really help

goal is to instead be open towards everything. One directs the attention towards oneself and welcomes everything that “I think it is amazing when this happens, without judging. Perinitiative comes from those who sonally, this was important for are affected, in this case the stu- me to understand,” Wiklander dents. It is much more fun than clarifies. if such an initiative comes from above. It also feels more real and “It’s a kind of shift in attitude influential,” says Lychnell. “I, at where ambition is replaced by least, hope to get students to curiosity,” Lychnell adds. start thinking about taking better Some student might feel like care of themselves,” Wiklander mindfulness is quite different adds. from what a business school traditionally does. How would you pitch mindfulness to skeptical What is it to be mindful? “In the beginning, I thought that business students? you needed to reach a certain mindset.The more you meditate, “Firstly, I would not have pitched the more you will see that the it. I like when the initiative comes SSE students,” Wiklander explains. She is the architect behind this initiative.

from those who need it, but it would also be wrong to say that mindfulness is too foreign for a business school. If you look at the big business schools such as Harvard, they have many initiatives like this, as well as courses. They have realized that today there is a demand for inner sustainability in addition to traditional subjects,” states Lychnell.

withstand this development and this tool can be mindfulness,” says Wiklander.

“I think that it is becoming more popular in the business life in general. It is presumably an answer to the era we are living in. More people are connected, the world is more globalized, and we receive emails all night long. One might feel the need to find a tool for employers and leaders to

How do you think SSE students are feeling? “It is hard for me to say with certainty, since I rarely meet the students that are not feeling well, but I know that many students are really pushing themselves. TEXT // SIGURD LOG RØREN When I talk to students, I witPHOTO // ISABELLE HE ness the incredible drive and DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

ambition in combination with all that they are doing at the same time. It feels like it would have been too much for me,” Lych“It is important to say that mind- nell says after thinking for some fulness is only one of many ways minutes, trying to find the right to achieve inner sustainability, words. but it is a way that works for many. According to research, it gives positive effects,” Lychnell explains.

STUDENT PROFILE: ELIN WIKLANDER

TEXT // SIGURD LOG RØREN DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

E lin Wiklander walks towards me and gives me a warm hug. She is

full of energy and is eager to talk about the new course she has initiated. I have to remind her that today we are actually going to talk about her and how she handled the most stressful period of time during her studies at SSE.

“If I have understood things correctly, most students reach this level sooner or later,” Wiklander says, while referring to the unhealthy level of stress she has experienced.

PHOTO // ISABELLE HE

“Before starting my bachelor studies here, I thought that as long as you work hard enough, you can have time for everything you want to do, like superwoman. It became really hard to deal with the first autumn at SSE in combination with A few weeks ago, Elin Wiklander soccer in the elite division.” held her first mindfulness lecture as a part of the new Mindful Mon- However, somehow, she mandays initiative. She is also finishing aged. Wiklander talked warmly up her bachelor degree in Busi- about her trainer who, figuratively ness and Economics, in addition to speaking, who told her when to working as Communication Man- exercise, when to rest and when ager for the Center for Sports and to eat. Furthermore, she also deBusiness at SSE. cided to reduce her study progression, but as most SSE students, “My time here at SSE has been an she still wanted to do more. important and influential factor for my need to meditate,” Wiklander “I took a break from soccer and explains. was elected the president of the Sports Committee, and thus I beDoing the Impossible: Making came a SASSE Board Member. It Time for Everything was an entirely new world for me Wiklander started at SSE in 2013. and I started with the ‘I am going to She was determined to combine give it all’ attitude that I had always an elite education with her career had previously,” Wiklander says. as a professional soccer player.

“Being a part of SASSE is absolutely the best thing I have ever done. I am so grateful and would recommend it to everyone,” Wiklander states energetically. However, the SASSE experience was not solely a good chapter in her life. “Often, when you work with something you love, you work too much without being able to set boundaries. At least, I did not. Even when I was not working, I was always available; through Facebook, through e-mail, or through my cellphone.” In contrast to her former soccer team, there was no support function in SASSE. There was no one there to tell her when to exercise, when to rest, and when to eat.

“Often, when you work with something you love, you work too much without being able to set boundaries.

“After a few months, it became clear to me. I was not exercising, I was eating badly, and I slept too little. I worked hard to please everyone else and some days I did not feel happy. I felt exhausted and had a lot of shameful feelings.”

“Being a former top division soccer player, I understood that I was not taking good care of myself, but I was not living according to that realization. That made me feel ashamed,” she explains. “I did not miss any periods of work, but I realized that I was going to ‘hit the wall’, as we say in Swedish, if I did not make any changes in my lifestyle.” The Tipping Point “I was at the Student farce and usually I find farces extremely entertaining, but this time I was totally indifferent. During the mingle after the show, I felt nothing. I am used to being a person full of energy. Feelings are a central part of me as a person. I thought , ‘But this is not me. Something is not right.’” Once again, SASSE was a double-edged sword. “It was also good to be a part of the Student Association since I could see that I was not alone. There are a lot of students who have a

hard time finding the balance and taking good care of themselves,” Wiklander gestured and waved her hands in frustration at the fact that students do not prioritize their own health. “In this school, there is this underlying pressure, often referred to as “Handelshetsen”. Based on my experiences, there is this pressure to do very well in school, have a cool job or internship, while at the same time have an active social life.”

The Role of Meditation in Her Life “I felt that I needed to find a solution. I had to start making active choices to prioritize my health and well-being. It was then when my interest in meditation began,” Wiklander explains. “When I am meditating, I am kind of studying myself. I am giving the body and the mind pure attention. Then, it becomes easier to spot negative thinking patterns, and to distance myself from them,” she continues. Some fear that being burnt out can lead to “stress allergy”, meaning the need to avoid keeping several balls in the air at the same time because the exhaustion and fatigue, once felt before, will so easily rush back. However, Wiklander managed to change her unhealthy lifestyle before she experienced that level of burning-out.

“To do a lot of things simultaneously is in my nature, but today I have a different perspective. Before, I felt that I just needed to work harder. Now, I am much more conscious towards recovery. By investing in myself, I get more energy. I direct the attention towards myself through meditating. I also try to be curious, open, and non-judgmental regarding my body and mind. Now, when I am more trained in identifying thought patterns, I can more easily stop myself before I work too hard,” she clarifies. “Through meditating I get more energy. Now, I can maybe do even more than I ever have before.”

ADVERTISING HERE IN MINIMAX HAS BEEN PROOF OF EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS ACCORDING TO A NON EXISTING STUDY. YOU SEE, STUDENTS REMEMBER CREATIVE COMPANIES BETTER THAN OTHERS AND WILL APPLY TO YOUR INTERNSHIPS. ALSO, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THIS PAGE WITH YOUR LOGO. AND LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FACE IT - YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMT OF BEING FEATURED IN MINIMAX. TAKE A CHANCE.

*Risk of alternative facts. Send a message to cred@sasse.se to get it sorted out. 22

STRESS, COMPASSION AND KNOWING YOURSELF WITH EMMA STENSTRÖM EMMA STENSTRÖM, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, CONDUCTS

PHOTO // ISABELLE HE TEXT // SARA ENGSTRÖM DESIGN // FILIPPA HÖGLING

STOCKHOLM others. For me it’s a lot about balance. It is easy to RESEARCH ON become self-absorbed and there are times when HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS AND COMPASSION AND OFTEN it’s good to show self-compassion and other times TALKS ABOUT STRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF HER RESEARCH. others when it’s actually beneficial to direct the STRESS IS ALSO A SUBJECT OFTEN MENTIONED IN HER compassion toward others. Compassion appeals CLASSES WHEN TEACHING IN THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES to me just because it includes everything – self, COURSE AND IN THE CEMS PROGRAM. MINIMAX MET HER others and earth. AT

FOR A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS COMPLEX TOPIC BASED ON BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.

Emma, tell us a bit about your take on the topic of compassion? I think it’s a very interesting topic, partly because it takes different shapes depending on the context. Some people or organizations may benefit from showing compassion towards themselves while others benefit from being compassionate toward 23

In the context of stress, do you think compassion is an important tool when managing stress? Would you say it’s an underestimated tool? We don’t really know yet how big the impact is, but I think the studies, and not just our own, shows that compassionate training can be one way of lessening stress. However, I think the most important thing is to find what works for you, but for some people it seems as if self-compassion is a very effective

tool. We tend to be very hard on ourselves and that can certainly make self-compassion a way of reducing stress. You could perhaps say it’s underestimated, because even though compassion is a very old practice, business environments has somewhat forgotten its importance and put a too big emphasis on competition and achievement.

since I hadn’t really gone into depth with what was causing my problems. The short-term things helped a lot too because I got various tools that really helped highlighting what consumed most of my time. For example, I worked and took care of my son, but everything else, such as exercising and meeting friends, I didn’t. These easy tools made it possible for me to see what I didn’t prioritized and Competition and measuring yourself against to re-structure my time. others are common at SSE. What do you think we can do to lessen the harmful stress here? Also, I feel like my soul dies when I only read I actually think there are a lot of good things at articles in business administration - seriously, SSE. One of the things I’ve noticed is the extent of I think I’ll die - because there is so little soul in collaboration between students – you help each that. So, for me it has been important to take time other out, you do a lot of work together – and I to go to art museums, galleries, exhibitions and have seen many other contexts where the culture dance performances to nourish my soul. I’ve also has been really harsh. Many of the experiences learnt the technique of meditation which has been coming to mind are perhaps more from my time effective. I simply had to attack it from several as a student, looking at my friends and the things angles and go deep down to find the cause for my we used to do. We thought that success was very problems, I had to learn tools and re-prioritize my important and never discussed failures. With time. I was about the whole picture. compassion, failures, or rather imperfections, are part of the human nature, and perhaps this could Finally, I have been lucky enough to have really be somewhat more cultivated at SSE. good friends from my time here at SSE. We met here more than thirty years ago and we still go on Would you like to tell us about your own vacation together every summer. We’ve followed experiences with unhealthy stress? each other, helped each other, been stressed from I’ve been very stressed in periods, but especially time to time and been there for each other all one time, when I was associate dean here at SSE along. Helping each other out and developing and at the same time working as a guest professor friendships would perhaps be one of my ultimate at Konstfack, was extra critical. The main reason advice. behind this is that I think so many things are fun. For me it doesn’t work to only choose to do the things I like, because there are too many things that I do like. Therefore, from time to time, I take Emma’s five recommendations for a less on too many things at the same time, which is what stressful life: happened then among other things. 1. Build relationships. 2. Make sure you do what you think is meaningful: you will be able to handle more How did you turn it around? stress, better. One main reason for change is that I’ve received 3. Step out of yourself sometimes. professional help. I’ve been through a few short4. The basics: sleep (If you sleep well, you term therapies, ten weeks or so, but I’ve also been don’t have to worry about burn-out), food and exercise. to psychodynamics therapy over the course of 5. Understand yourself: Go deep, understand several years. It has been very important to me what your drives and patterns are because they to really go into the depth of my behavior and the tend to come back. First step to make change stress resulting from this. Before this, I had a way is to understand. of falling back into the same behavior after a while 24

THE GUT FLORA - YOUR BEST FRIEND AN INTERVIEW WITH FOODPHARMACY What are you craving those hours after lunch when the dark is falling and the lack of sleep hits you the hardest? Could it possibly be the big bag of candy and an ice-cold energy drink? No worries, you are only a human being, functioning exactly as normal. When dealing with stress, the body paradoxically begins craving foods that will aggravate the condition the most. Lina Nertby Aurell and Mia Clase, the authors of one of this fall’s bestselling books, Foodpharmacy, had the same cravings. This led them to question how the food we eat really affects our bodies. The mid-life crisis brought these two hypochondriacs to Stig Bengmark, professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University, who opened up a whole new world to them. They were told that 80 percent of our immune system is in our intestinal flora. “We couldn’t believe what Stig told us, how couldn’t more people know about this?” Lina says. The findings were way too big to overlook. Today Mia and Lina have published two books, run a blog and recently released a podcast - all about what food to consume to improve your physical and mental health. You’re advocating a healthy intestinal flora, but what is that exactly? “Our immune system consists of billions of bacteria, of which nearly 80 percent can be found in our colon.The good ones protect us from illnesses and have a positive correlation with certain foods. By eating nutritious food that increases the number of good bacteria, one could prevent depression, cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the effect it has on our mental health is truly revolutionary.” 25

Lina specifically talks about one study from Harvard University, which shows that a person with a diet high in sugar, fat and meat runs up to 40 percent higher risk of depression. No wonder, since there is such a strong relationship between the gut and the brain! “The guts are our second brain”, Lina explains. Are there any shortcuts for a better-feeling intestinal flora? “Add three different-colored greens to your meal and you’ve actually done a lot. By adding more than just one vegetable, your body is able to take advantage of more of the benefits from vegetables. So, go ahead and have your saucy carbonara but don’t forget to add some color in the form of veggies”, Lina laughs.

Smoothie Bowl For two portions: 2 green bananas· 1 avocado· Juice of half a lemon· 1 handful of baby spinach

Mix everything and enjoy with your favorite granola and fresh berries.

On their blog, the philosophy advocated by Foodpharmacy’s is summed up in 20 commandments. The overall theme is to drop whatever stress is related to healthy habits. Lina clarifies that food should be a source of enjoyment: “Don’t be so harsh on yourself. Be brave and try new seasonings and flavors, and think about what to add instead of what to remove.” What does the optimal student-friendly lunch box look like? “A stew made of lentils or beans cooked with your favorite seasoning, accompanied with three different greens plus a tablespoon of pickled vegetables.” Let’s say that you knew everything you know today. What would you’ve told your 20-yearold self? “You’re going get smarter, happier, and more energized by adding all that good stuff to your diet. You’re going to live longer as well, why don’t you just start now?” TEXT // VENDELA PALMQUIST DESIGN // FRANSISKA ASPEGRÉN

The 20 Commandments 1. Focus on what you should eat instead of what you should exclude 2. Eat a lot of raw vegetables in different colors 3. Eat meat sparsely 4. Indulge in green leaves 5. Have a green smoothie every day 6. If you eat fish – choose wild caught 7. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly 8. Skip processed food 9. Choose organic 10. Increase the nutrients by sprouting 11. Lower the temperature a notch 12. Choose fat carefully 13. Decorate your food with herbs and spices 14. Learn to chill out without sugar 15. Become a nutritional hunter 16. Give your body the chance to rest 17. When you’re stressed, take a deep breath, and try to focus on the positive things in life 18. Move your body often 19. Let the food be your primary source of nutrients, but take help from D-vitamin, Omega-3 and synbiotics 20. Enjoy and don’t be so harsh be on yourself. That’s the most important.

Lentil Stew

For two portions: 1 dl red lentils· 2 dl water· 1 leek including haulm· ½ dl coconut milk· 1 msk coconut milk· 1 msk curry· Fresh coriander

1. Boil the lentils and the leek in water and let it chill for a 2. minute. 3. Pour down the coconut milk, coconut oil and the curry. 4. Serve the stew with rice and oven baked fish if you want.

TUNING IN, WINDING DOWN: THE NEWS ABOUT THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK

TEXT // MATILDA FORS DESIGN // FILIPPA HÖGLING

In the health debate, one of the least controversial temperature and metabolism over the course of 24 proverbs is “listen to your body”. In contrast to hours. It keeps us in synch with the Earth’s rotation, strict diets, rigorous exercise routines, and sleep- and protests loudly when external conditions do monitoring apps, listening to your body’s innate not match up to our inner timekeeper. Among signals emerges as a natural way of staying healthy. other things, this explains why jet lag affects our Nonetheless, most of us are familiar with the feeling well-being so much. of your whole body protesting when the alarm clock rings. Are we right in heeding our biological The recognition of the biological clock comes cues, and what happens when these not a day too soon. For the most “Tuning in to your conflict with our modern lifestyle? part of history, humans have lived in biological clock This year’s Nobel Prize in physiology synchronization with Earth’s cyclical or medicine sheds new light on these should seem like a processes, utterly dependent on issues. fairly simple project: harvest seasons, tides and daylight. But as modern people, we like to think eat when you’re Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and that we have transcended the whims hungry, sleep when Michael W. Young are this year’s of nature and instead master our own Nobel Prize laureate in physiology or you’re tired, study fates. Our grocery stores spill over and work when your medicine. Since 1984, the trio have with produce regardless of season and mainly studied fruit flies, eventually hormone levels are via a Skype call we can zoom across finding and isolating the gene that optimal. time zones and continents in seconds. governs the so-called biological clock. Detaching ourselves from nature Though the fruit fly is a most basic life form, the keeps us continuously ignoring our bodies’ signals gene is found in organisms all across the animal — but apparently not without consequences. The kingdom — including humans. This particular gene numbers of stress-related diseases, obesity and is responsible for encoding a special protein that other maladies relating to a 21st century lifestyle builds up in the cell during the night and degrades have skyrocketed. As a matter of fact, laureate during the day, thus constituting our biological Michael Rosbash has called all of Western society clock. “chronically sleep-deprived”. Notwithstanding the novelty of the biological clock, scientists have for a The biological clock — also known as the circadian long time been aware of the adverse health effects rhythm, from the Latin words circa (around) and of sleep deprivation. In the long term, a lack of dies (day) — is a cellular mechanism that regulates sleep is believed to be linked to higher risks of things like hunger, sleep, hormone levels, body heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. In the

HIGH ALERTNESS

BEST COORDINATION

FASTEST REACTION

FASTEST INCREASE IN BLOOD PRESSURE

CORTISOL RELEASE

LOWEST BODY TEMPERATURE

DEEP SLEEP

HIGHEST BODY TEMPERATURE

HIGHEST BLOOD PRESSURE

MELATONIN SECRETION

short term, the effects can be vaguer, ranging zooming between libraries and post offices, we from irritability and concentration problems to have actually just wound up the tempo, making headaches and weakened immune system. things ever more hectic. Or as Yuval Noah Harari put it in his brilliant book Sapiens: A Brief History Tuning in to your biological clock should seem of Humankind, ”one of history’s few iron laws like a fairly simple project: eat when you’re hungry, is that luxuries tend to become necessities and sleep when you’re tired, study and work when your to spawn new obligations”. Yes, technology may hormone levels are optimal. But we live in a society have simplified some aspects of our lives, but also that admires the ones who put themselves on induced whole new dimensions of stress that the shortest leash — the ones who control their we have yet to set proper boundaries for. In fact, appetites, stay up late working, and remain alert we’re bombarded with tips and tricks on how to throughout the day. Being well-rested has become manipulate the biological system in order to keep a sign of laziness. In an ambitious environment such up with the external pace. Caffeine-laced energy as SSE, the currency of aspiration is occupation; the drinks, exotic “superfoods”, obscure juice cleansesbusier we are, the more driven we are perceived. all promising to beat our fatigue and enhance our Needing caffeine intravenously and having a full performance. schedule have become emblems of success rather than of overreaching. The good news is that the discoveries awarded with this year’s Nobel Prize give real scientific base Clearly, the trend springs from the fact that we live to arguments for a slower pace. Hopefully, it will in a 24/7 society, where we expect everything to bring about a discussion of how we can design for be available at our slightest whim. Equipped with a smarter and more holistic lifestyle. It all starts smartphones and laptops, we have disregarded the with us allowing both ourselves, and each other, to concept of office hours, blurring the line between be just a bit more humane. So the next time you home and work. Similarly, the Internet allows for put your laptop down early, that, too, is a form of around-the-clock messaging, working, shopping, progress. and entertainment. In a sense, we have built our own cages: in believing that Internet would make communications simpler and save us the time of 28

MINIMAX DISCUSSES BALANCE & HEALTH WITH JOSEFIN BACKLUND TEXT // SARA ENGSTRÖM

Backlund has always had a passion for exercising. However, as a person with high performance standards, the balance between work, running and recreation is not always easy to uphold and the strive toward balance has been an ongoing project.

Joseﬁn Backlund is a 28-year-old Swedish Language Consultant, and associate at Hallvarsson & Halvarsson, born and raised in Umeå. Backlund moved to Stockholm four years ago for a job opening at one of Sweden’s premier law ﬁrms, where she worked for three years as a project manager within private and public M&A. She then began working at Hallvarsson & Halvarsson in June 2016 and is currently in the process of writing annual reports, which is a new and fun challenge for her.

29 D E S I G N & P H O T O | K R I S T A G L Ö D S T A F

How is the life of a consultant? First of all, it’s really fun and developing. I learn from my colleagues every day. As a consultant, you never really know what the week will have in store for you. I usually have a clear picture of my weekly schedule, but there can be quite a lot of ad-hoc and unscheduled events that occurs. That’s what makes it so exciting! About my spare time; I try to keep the weekends clear of work to the extent I can. Most of all, I try to structure my time so when I’m working, I’m working, and when I have leisure time I make an effort to really recreate. However, as a consultant I have the phone with me at all times. About your spare time: is it difficult to get the well needed time for recreation? The most important thing for me is to have a long-term mindset. I ask myself: Will I do a good job in the long run like this? From where do I get my strength? What is a good day for me? The weekdays are the most important to me, it is after all the biggest part of life, and structuring my time is as important during the weekdays as the weekends. If I don’t make time to exercise, for example, there’s a big chance that it won’t happen at all.

Could you embellish on your passion for exercising? Since I was a child I have been exercising a lot and been active in a lot of sports. However, when I moved to Stockholm I found myself having less time and that’s when running grew as an interest. It gave me some much needed time for myself. I have always loved skiing, and running in the alps is something I enjoy very much. Also, as a nowadays trained running coach, I also love the fact that I get to meet people and be in a context I wouldn’t otherwise have been in.

can easily become too much, and having an interest outside of work can make it less fragile.

So much for exercising, have you ever been out of balance in terms of work? Yes, from time to time, and I think it requires constant work to not end up in that situation. It’s a real challenge sometimes because of the fun assignments. For me it is crucial to feel engaged in my workplace and in my customers, but in those situations where I have over-worked, all parts of life became less fun. For me, these situations have originated from not knowing what has been exHas running ever become something that is more pected from me, and I believe that is quite normal stressful than fun? when you’re newly graduated and eager to do a At one point, during the years after my gradua- good job without any prior work experience. Just tion, the combination of a heavy workload, and, to be clear, it is not a bad thing wanting to do a good job, but using time efficiently sometimes, too much motivation to “I had to is key. The risk of ending up in a sitdo a good job, and at the same time uation with too much work can be pressuring myself to achieve certain re- re-prioritize lessened with communication. Dare sults within running, became too much. my life and to ask your boss when you’re not Something that used to be a source of sure what is expected from you! I’m power, became something that con- ask myself – better at this now after a few years sumed energy and something that I within what of experience, but it is important to previously had thought of as something areas must I understand that a good job is not fun, wasn’t anymore. synonymously with working until perform? you break. How did you handle that? It took awhile, but I learned a lot about myself on the journey. For me, it was helpful to talk to friends and family about it.Thankfully, I have a good self-awareness, and when I realized my interest had become boring, something was seriously wrong. I had to re-prioritize my life and ask myself – within what areas must I perform? For me, that was my job. Running had to be something I did for myself and to the extent I could handle. If it started to consume too much energy, I had prioritized my time in the wrong way.

What is health and balance to you? I think it is important to consider your own needs and don’t believe everything you read in magazines and on social media. I find it difficult to describe health because there are so many different aspects of it, but for me it’s important to look at the whole picture in a long-term perspective. For me it can be about setting boundaries or being in the present, both because it brings me more joy and because it usually implies better use of time. For me it is also important to analyze how I feel and not Do you think that it is important to have an inter- judge whether it’s good or bad, but rather consider whether it’s just temporary or a long-term est apart from one’s work? I think it is important to have a happy place, some- feeling. Finally, I would say health is to find that thing to look forward to or something else apart balance between activity and recovery – a lifelong from work that consumes part of your thoughts. It ongoing process. you only focus on one thing, my experience says it

OLIVIA KRALL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF “Minimax should be able to investigate issues and questions that students have regarding SASSE and SSE that affect them.

We welcome any contributions - whether it is with photos, text, or ideas! If you want to be part of Minimax in any way, keep a lookout on the SASSE website, SASSE members, and our Facebook page (@minimax.sasse) for our next contributors meeting and other updates. You can also contact me at cred@sasse.se.

31 D E S I G N & P H O T O | K R I S T A G L Ö D S T A F

THE FUTURE OF MINIMAX

TEXT // EMMA HAMRE AND SIGURD LOG RØREN

The editor-in-chief of this years’ Minimax editorial team is Olivia Krall. In order for the magazine to grow and strengthen its presence at SSE, Olivia, along with the editorial team, wants to change the magazine.

How do you want to change Minimax? Last year’s editorial team did a great job with putting Minimax back on the SASSE map. This year’s editorial team will be able to do a majority of what we want to accomplish due to their hard work to get the magazine sent back home to the SASSE members’ mailboxes and start the process of making the magazine digital. This year’s editorial team is planning on continuing these efforts to make Minimax as relevant as it once was. We are thrilled to be able to continue sending the magazine home to students and offering it online for those who prefer to read it there. In the magazine, we are planning on using themes that allow us to discuss topics that are both interesting and important to our readers, and hopefully let our readers have more in-depth discussions about these themes. We are also planning on devel-

oping our digital platform. We are currently working on making our part of the SASSE website as easy as possible for our readers to navigate through. Our hope is to have recurring columns and student contributed work there, as well as articles about SASSE and SSE events that are not well-suited for the printed magazine or that are too time sensitive to be included in the printed version.

stricted to only being included in our four printed issues. Minimax is the oldest SASSE project. Our first archived issue dates back to 1969. We are of course going to keep the aspects of the magazine that are part of the Minimax legacy- great quality text, design, and photo, that each years’ editorial team get to make their own. We are just planning on furthering the work of earlier editorial teams to make the magazine more modern and sustainable as What are you going to keep the SASSE changes and grows. same in Minimax from previous years? What role should Minimax have The biggest changes to Minimax in SASSE? is the framework of the mag- Minimax should keep its role as azine and how we plan on uti- a magazine for SASSE members lizing our themes, as well as the by SASSE members. However, addition of the digital, more re- I think it’s very important that curring, aspect of Minimax. We Minimax stays relevant by always hope this will allow for more discussing things that are of imstudent opinion columns, which portance to the students. When was first added in the previous necessary, Minimax should be editorial team’s final issue, and able to investigate issues and that more students will want to questions that students have rebe part of the magazine, as the garding SASSE and SSE that afpotential content is not as re- fect them. 32

PARTICIPATING IN THE UNIVERSIADE IN TAIWAN THE STUDENT OLYMPIC GAMES

CONTRIBUTOR // BEATRICE CEDERHOLM

I first heard of the Universiade back in 2015 when my fellow tennis players from Denmark went to South Korea to take part in the games. They came back all euphoric and said that this was the best thing they had ever experienced; like they had been a part of the real Olympic games. I had never even heard of the event, so to be honest, I was very skeptical. I have been playing tennis throughout my entire life and I have taken part in some of the biggest tournaments in the world as a junior, and professional tournaments as a senior. However, after experiencing it first-hand, I agree with them completely.

50,000 Taiwanese people gathered, cheering for us as we walked around the arena. The feelings I felt inside that arena were feelings that I had never felt before, and probably will never feel again. While this was a sports event, certain political tensions still occurred. For instance, China boycotted the ceremony after Tsai Ing-Wen held a speech in which she titled herself as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

For many Scandinavians, the humidity was our biggest enemy. Unfortunately, I lost against the heat. The heat index was 48°C during my singles match where I played a Japanese girl who played better From the moment I stepped out of the plane at that day. In doubles, I did much better and we were one match away from a medal. Taipei International until I arrived at “Ever since I My fellow SSE athletes Shahbulat the Olympic village, there was always was a little kid, Miserbiev in taekwondo and Maria someone guiding me. I was also I have dreamt Engelson in table tennis, both won surprised by the overwhelming heat. several matches but, unfortunately, It felt like I was breathing inside a of taking part no medals were claimed. However, sauna, which is not optimal for playing in the Olympic Sweden received two medals in the tennis in. Arriving at the village, I first games. swimming event, which almost had went through a security checkpoint; something athletes had to do approximately 10 the same start list as the world championships times a day. The village where the athletes lived that took place three weeks earlier. I really enjoyed was about 2 square kilometers. The cantina was cheering for the rest of the 64 fellow Swedes and I gigantic, with food choices from all over the globe. met so many kind and inspiring athletes! Personally, the coolest thing was probably knowing that there was always a world champion or even Ever since I was a little kid, I have dreamt of taking an Olympic medalist close to you wherever you part in the Olympic games. If you have the chance went in the village. In many sports, the Universiade to participate, DO IT! What better way is there to has the same status as the world championships or combine international travels, meeting new people, and playing sports? I had one of the best weeks of even the Olympic games. On the second day, it was time for the opening my life and I hope this inspires some of you to ceremony in the athletic arena.There were around represent SSE in the 2019 games in Naples. 33 D E S I G N | F I L I P P A H Ö G L I N G

STUDENT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTRIBUTOR // JOHANNA LIM FALK

The Student European Championships are a series of European Championships for university students within different sports. It is arranged every other year, with around 20 sports, and is located in different university cities throughout Europe. This is one of many sporting events that students can take part of. There are student sports unions all over the world that arrange similar and even larger events.

This year Taekwondo, Karate and Judo were arranged simultaneously in Coimbra, Portugal, and attracted over 800 participants in total. I was the only Swedish competitor of all three sports. In my category of female individuals, there were 16 competitors in which I managed to grab a bronze medal. It is fair to mention that it is also the first ever medal won by a Swede in my category (females/males 1830 years old) in a Championships

outside of the Nordics. It was a great experience and I also received a lot of support from SAIF (Sveriges Akademiska IdrottsfĂśrbund) and SASSE, which ultimately made this trip possible. It is an experience that I believe more students should be eligible for and that students should take the opportunity to participate.

DESIGN | FILIPPA HĂ&#x2013;GLING

GELS: IN SEARCH FOR EQUCONTRIBUTERS // ATHINA SWAHN AND ANJA TUNELD

“It is something most people never think about, but when you start looking, the difference is overwhelming. When we came to SSE, we began to consider our own behaviour in the classroom. We never raised our hands when we had questions, we never spoke up when we had an opinion and this is completely normal – more so you are a female student. This phenomenon stems from structures that are deeply rooted in our society and affects us from an early age. While boys can get away with blurting out whatever crosses their minds and are even encouraged to do so however girls are taught to be prudent and never say something

that might be wrong. In fact, the playful experimenting exhibited by boys is viewed by society as a mark of intelligence, whereas the thoughtfulness of girls is seen as passive obedience. We wanted to make a change. So we applied to the Gun and Einar Larsson Scholarship (GELS)! The scholarship offers up to 75 000 SEK for bachelor students to realize a project of their own design abroad. Our project is entitled “Speak up! Solutions to Symptoms of Gender Inequality” and the object is to identify teaching methods successful in creating a more equal classroom environment. The final product of our project is a teacher’s guide on how to make everyone participate in class and it will be used in classrooms at SSE and at other Swedish schools.

Since awareness is key, we hope that our guide will not only provide practical advice, but also serve as an everyday reminder for teachers that their behaviour has a real and long-lasting impact on their students. After the gathering of some horrifying data about male/female participation at SSE and Swedish middle schools, we set out for New York in search for something less discouraging. Although the American middle schools that we visited were dominated by the same behavioural patterns as in Sweden, we met some incredible teachers that used different methods to equalize their classrooms. Across the Atlantic we finally got to observe a classroom where female students spoke just as much as the male students. Additionally, we visited Columbia University and had a particularly

How to apply? Your application should include a project plan, a preliminary budget, motivation on how GELS will contribute to your personal development, CV and grade transcript. You can apply individually or together with someone. The deadline is on December 10th. You can find more detailed information on hhs.se and the student portal.

ALITY IN OUR CLASSROOMS DESIGN // FILIPPA HĂ&#x2013;GLING

insightful conversation with Shamus Khan, professor of sociology. All in all we had a great time during our three weeks in NYC and have had an exciting time as members in the GELS-network. We have learnt a lot, not only about gender equality in classrooms, but also about ourselves and how to conduct a project. We strongly encourage anyone with a curious mind to apply for the scholarship! If you have any questions about GELS or our project, feel free to contact any of us or send an email to: ssespeakup@gmail. com. Also, you can attend the information lunch on October 10t in room 520 and find more information on hhs.se.

What is GELS? A scholarship given to outstanding bachelor students at SSE for a self-designed, practical project to be carried out abroad. Please take note regarding that the project must be practical to be considered. The aim of the scholarship is to offer experience and personal development outside of the academic realm that benefits the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education and professional aspirations. The recipients also become part of the GELS alumni network and are offered a suitable network member as a mentor. Each year, the President selects the most qualified scholar(s) to join GELS and conduct the proposed project.

MENTAL HEALTH TEXT // LUDVIG EKSANDH DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

IN HIP-HOP

Hip-Hop has for a long time been centered around themes such as power, status, and ego. The stereotypical rapper is someone who raps about their cars, money, or guns. With this image, it is not strange that a connection is made between hip-hop and bad mental health. However, this is far from the current truth. The messages of songs and albums range all the way from depression to love confessions. Ten years ago, this would have been unthinkable. The evolvement of hiphop as a genre has made it into a powerful force in the battle against depression.

Hip-hop has always included the topic of mental health, but these songs have not been the most wellknown to the general public. Expressing negative emotions and discussing mental health issues was not common in hip-hop until in 2008, when two very inﬂuential albums were released. Kanye West released his album 808s and Heartbreak when he was going through a very rough patch in his life, following the passing of his mother and a breakup with his fiancée.The album was able to convey what Kanye was going through in a beautiful and emphatic manner. A rapper talking so openly about his emotions was revolutionary, and signaled to other artists within the hip-hop community that it is okay to talk about emotions, challenging what had for a long time been the “norm”. The artist Kid Cudi played an important part in creating the album 808s and in the following year, he released his own debut album Man On The Moon: The End Of Day. It has been referred to by many as the best debut album of all time. The album deals with Cudi’s depression and subsequent drug abuse issues. It appealed to a new group of listeners. Many people are very thankful to Kid Cudi. His music served as an outlet for their emotions, along with making them realize they were not alone in their struggles. This includes the very famous artist Travis Scott, who even credits Kid Cudi for saving his life. Therefore, the development of the genre encouraged and enabled artists to talk about mental health.

dropped huge hit songs or albums about their emotions and struggles. Massive profiles such as Styles P and Jay Z have spoken out about their own mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of the hip-hop community opening up even more about it. It is a step in the right direction. If huge artists openly discuss their personal experiences and hardships, they can be an influential source of support for a lot of people dealing with the same issues, because they can relate to their role models and, as a result, be encouraged to do the same. Hip-hop, as one of the biggest and most influential musical genres today, can really have a positive impact as a result of artists bringing up important topics, such as mental health. However, hip-hop’s helpful hand does not have to end here. Therapy can incorporate hip-hop to make it more appealing and enjoyable for a lot of people. It can be used in music therapy, a type of therapy where patients work with and express their emotions through the medium of music. Many artists find that expressing themselves in their music is a therapeutic process, and patients may also find an emotional release in creating music.

In conclusion, hip-hop has grown to become a very potent force in combating mental illness. This may seem unexpected, as few people expect rappers to open up about their deepest emotions.The fact that it is so unexpected, is also what makes it so powerful. If rappers, who are expected to be tough and untouchable, dare talk about their weaknesses, it re2017 has witnessed a massive surge in the number moves the common stigma around mental illness. of artists speaking openly about their mental health. Hopefully, this makes it easier for other people to Some of the biggest names in the rap industry such speak out and seek help. as XXXTentacion, Lil Uzi Vert, and Logic have all

HOMO ECONOMICUS – Friend or Foe? Not to say that economists haven’t recognized these issues before. Behavioral economics, a passion and interest for many SSE students, takes into account how the economic man can be affected by psychological and social factors. However, as Kielos points out, behavioral economics remains based on the “economic man”. Behavioral economists document and research exceptions to the norm – homo economicus – rather than seeing At SSE, game theory is one of the very first ecothese exceptions as norms or realities themselnomic concepts we are introduced to. As we all ves. In behavioral economics, the individual, cut off know, it consists of a set of theories based on parfrom society, is still the starting point. The econoties always acting rationally and in their own best mic man prevails. interest. In other words, game theory is a prime example of theories based on the economic man, As Economics students, we must dare to question or homo economicus; a stone cold, logical, rational, the obsolete foundation of many economic moand utility-maximizing man (note that homo ecodels, regardless of how well-established they may nomicus is a man, not a woman). seem. By asking questions and being critical, we can help pave the way towards a more universal It is this notion, that of the “economic man”, that field of economics based on the actions of real Kielos smashes to pieces in “Det enda könet”. Are humans. And maybe, in the future, the economic humans always rational? Do we always act indeman will be the exception, not the norm. pendently from surroundings and past experiences? As it turns out, we do not, which is why it is paradoxical that we base our understanding of the world on the theory of the “economic man”, when TEXT // SHANNON FELLÄNDER-TSAI it does not capture reality. DESIGN // FILIPPA HÖGLING

I spent the summer delving into books. One of them was Det enda könet (Who Cooked Adam Smith’s Dinner? in English) by Katrine Kielos; a critical account of the history of women and economics, the economic man, and their effects on society. In 300 pages, it changed everything I thought I knew about economics.

INITIATE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOCIETY

CONTRIBUTED BY // FELIX NILSSON

n October 7th, around 65 people came to Stora Salen to attend the INITIATE Program. INITIATE is a pre-incubation program developed by the Entrepreneurship Society and the SSE Business Lab, which aims to help participants to build teams, create business ideas, and take them all the way to presenting at the competition Guldräven. The start of the program, called the Hackathon, took place during a two-day event focused on the development of teams and idea

DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

generation. Josefin Lantgård, the founder of the healthcare app KRY, opened the event by giving a speech on her entrepreneurship story. After this inspiring start, Philip Runsten contributed with leading exercises to boost the creativity among the participants and revealed the key for building a winning and successful team. This was an introduction to the next part of the event, where the participants created teams based on their interests. After some hard work to develop ideas during a workshop with Luca from DHS,

the first day was officially done.  The day after, each team returned to the Stora Salen to make final preparations for their great pitch. Standing in front of a jury, the teams presented their ideas. The winners received a lunch at the Business lab, where they could pitch their ideas again and get further feedback. Among all the great ideas, one pitch was finally chosen as a winner, and the Hackathon came to its end. INITIATE will arrange its  next workshop in the end of November, where the teams will continue to be coached. Do not worry if you missed the Hackathon, you still have a chance to be a part of INITIATE. Simply contact the Entrepreneurship Society!

the topic of student health, there are many things that can be discussed, but none as W ithin important, imperative, or indispensable as how to cure a good ol’ hangover. For the novice

THE BIG REMEDY

consumer of student beverages, A.K.A. Carlsberg/Somersby, it is understandably easy to get somewhat lost, and perhaps even confused, by the vast array of available after-day-remedies. Nevertheless, I urge you not to despair as yours truly is here to help you separate any invigorating concussion from snake oil.

For those readers who are more traversed within the field of biology, it might appear obvious that the solution to the problem is in fact making sure that the problem never occurs in the first place. Of course, we are discussing preemptive measures. Since a hangover is a state in which the body is in the midst of removing alcohol from the system, the easiest way to go about would consequentially be to make sure that the alcohol never leaves the system in the first place. Staying indefinitely drunk will push the hangover forward in perpetuity, thus ridding you of any cumbersome morning-after effects. However, alcohol is quite expensive, so short stints of sobriety in-between Rotunda parties might be a financial necessity. In that case, we might explore other options such as drinking lots of water, eating pizza, as well as, eating pizza already dipped in water. The latter recommendation has proven highly efficient as it allows for both swift rehydration, as well as, carbohydrate intake at the same time. It’s in other words, highly lean. However, do note that salad or any other food traditionally clas-

sified as healthy such as, quinoa or Oumph is not your friend. We’re looking for high amounts of salt and fat. Beach 20XX is not a consideration at this point in time. A proven classic is naturally the fresher, or resetter, which is the act of trying to counteract the swift depletion of alcohol in the bloodstream by having another pint the morning after, preferably as breakfast while awaiting the pizza delivery guy/girl/person. However, the absolute best and scientifically proven hangover cure is actually a big glass of OJ. After reviewing several peer-reviewed articles on the subject, A.K.A. the first three Google Scholar results, I can safely conclude that the scientific community, unlike on the matter of climate change, has reached a consensus. Orange Juice is the best and foremost way to remedy a hangover. So, summa samarium, drink OJ.

TEXT // ADAM WESTERGÅRD PHOTO // KRISTA GLÖDSTAF DESIGN // SYLVIA HONGQIUSHUI ZHENG

SSE ALUMNI CLUB Kamratföreningen is now the SSE Alumni Club At Kamratföreningen’s Annual Meeting on May 10, 2017, it was communicated that Kamratföreningen will now be called the SSE Alumni Club, which reflects the internationalization of the Stockholm School of Economics. The closer collaboration between the SSE Alumni Club and SSE will result in a better offering of events and opportunities for SSE alumni. The membership fee for the SSE Alumni Club is 305 kr per year, and allows alumni to take part in an intensive, exclusive, year-long line up of engaging events and seminars. Members of the SSE Alumni Club benefit from: • • • •

8-10 intimate and exclusive events in Sweden Personalized mentorship program Two issues per year of MiniMax, the SSE Student Association Magazine Discounts to SSE alumni events, such as Homecoming and Reunions

Newly graduated SSE students automatically receive a free year-long membership to the SSE Alumni Club upon graduation, allowing them to truly benefit from the networking and skill-building opportunities. If you would like to become a member of the SSE Alumni Club, you can sign up here: www.hhs.se/ssealumniclub. Other opportunities that all SSE alumni benefit from include: • • • • •

Invitation to the annual Homecoming event at SSE, which will take place 9 March 2018 Invitations to Class Reunions: 20 year, 30 year, 40 year, 50 year, 60 year at SSE Invitations to international alumni events in London, Hong Kong, Germany and the U.S. Mentor a SSE student Receive monthly newsletter

For questions, please contact us at ssealumniclub@hhs.se.

PHOTO // KRISTA GLÖDSTAF DESIGN // FRANSISKA ASPEGRÉN 42

Proﬁle: Maria Paulsson Rönnbäck

On her 2nd day at her business development, sales, and marketing job at Sunshinestories, a surf and yoga retreat, and Ceylon Sliders, a surf concept hotel in Sri Lanka, Maria Paulsson Rönnbäck took time out of her schedule to Skype me and discuss start-ups and mental health. The self-proclaimed yoga and surf enthusiast showed me around her new office, a room just below a roof terrace, huge windows, and a balcony where employees do yoga, that looks over the ocean, the only thing separating her from the waves is a street. Maria Paulsson Rönnbäck grew up in Småland, and has as long as she can remember felt the pull of travel and adventure. Directly after graduating high school, she set off to explore the world, traveling in Germany, Australia, and all over Asia. Three years later she came back to Sweden to attend SSE, where she specialized in Marketing Strategy. While there she founded Focus: CSR together with her friend when she realized that social entrepreneurship and CSR was the perfect way to combine the values she has with her interest in entrepreneurship and business creation for a cause. She wrote her thesis on social entrepreneurship in developing countries, traveling to Bangladesh to do so.There she realized that maybe that wasn’t exactly what she wanted to work with and decided that she wanted to learn how to run a company in Sweden first. After graduating from SSE, Paulsson Rönnbäck was a CEO assistant at Prime for seven to eight months. She went on to being the first employee at Sqore, then called Student Competitions, which was founded by two SSE and two KTH alumni. Paulsson Rönnbäck worked there for five and a half years, leaving the company to grow with new blood and ideas when it had grown to 55 employees of 20 different nationalities and customers all over the world. While there she was part of developing the company, as well as their business model, and was responsible for all customer delivery and marketing. When she made the difficult decision to leave this start up, it was at the same time Norrsken Foundations was founded and the company 29K was getting started. 29K needed a COO, and Paulsson Rönnbäck felt it was the perfect match with her previous experience in tech and her interests in

personal development and psychology. However, this past summer, Paulsson Rönnbäck felt an extreme pull towards a dream she has had for a long time- to learn how to surf and move abroad. She realized that if she didn’t do it now, she probably never would, and after much deliberation she decided to move to Sri Lanka and start the job she currently has.

to understand oneself, how one’s feeling and thoughts coincide; I believe that most people need a little help with this. I strongly recommend that everyone at least tries therapy. Of course, there was the other aspect of it. As a boss I needed to make sure that incredible people who worked for me didn’t burn out either. Also, two of the biggest problems on our planet right now is personal development and mental health. More people die today from depression and suicide than war and terrorism. We are our own worst enemies- our way of living, of being constantly connected online with less social interaction, and a growing focus on individuals makes us unhappy. When I studied at SSE, I felt like humanity was forgotten- it felt like a long program where one became a robot and went through the cycle of studying, partying, case training, and working. Rarely did anyone share that something felt difficult or that they did not feel well. In other words, what makes us human, our feelings and thoughts, were pushed to the side. I hope, and believe, that young people are starting to realize that they don’t just need to know theory and formulas. They also need to learn other skills like curiosity, empathy and understanding one’s own values. Doing this and forming networks and supportive relationships is incredibly important; don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings even if they are difficult. Happiness comes from acceptance and being able to handle all possible feelings.”

You have now learned how building and running a company works in Sweden. What do you look forward to learning about how companies work in Sri Lanka and what challenges are you expecting? “I know for sure that it is going to be very different. From what I’ve heard a lot of unexpected things happen every day. That is common for a startup, but here I’m thinking it will be more physical fires to put out such as power failures or pipes leaking into the courtyard. This company is on the larger side of a startup; there is 50-60 employees where about half are locals. In Sweden, it is normal to roll up your sleeves and show that you’re not afraid to get a little dirty, but here it is incredibly important that you don’t take any jobs that the locals could have. The support system for entrepreneurs and startups in Stockholm is incredible and that still has not come here. However, the amount of cafés and entrepreneurs here has really increased since I was here last time, so I think Lastly, what words of wisdom do you wish you knew when that the startup scene is up and coming.” you went to SSE? What are your thoughts on stress, burning out, and mental “If you look at what makes people happy and prevents them from burning out, it’s doing something that is health in general? What role does it play in your life? along the lines of their values. It is super important to “I’ve always been very interested in both physical invest time on your health and relationships, and on and mental health, but it was always just an interest. understanding oneself. SSE students should really do Later when I started working, I realized I needed to that while they are studying because you won’t have as transform this interest into more concrete actions. much time for this later. This is the path to happiness, Especially when I was working at Sqore, becoming not material things and your career. a boss almost directly, it felt like I was in a position where I could potentially not feel well. I’ve been in Personally, I think there are two important things situations where I’ve been very tired and stressed, you need to know when you run a company that SSE but thankfully I’ve never burnt out. To combat this, doesn’t teach you. One of which is sales, and the other I started to meditate and practice yoga. I’ve also is how teams work and how to handle personnel, so gone through multiple cycles of therapy, which is try to get experience with those two things some something I think everyone should do. It is extremely other way.” difficult to find balance in life, to feel good, and learn TEXT // OLIVIA KRALL

DESIGN // FRANSISKA ASPEGRÉN 44

PHOTO | KRISTA GLÖDSTAF

HUMAN VS ROBOTS

WHO WILL HANDLE OUR MONEY? On a cold November night, members of the SSE Alumni Association ”Kamratföreningen” gathered in the Torsten room of SSE. On the agenda was an epic showdown between humans and machines — more specifically, a debate about traditional savings versus innovational, algorithm-based ”robot saving”. One corner of the ring featured Ann Grevelius, the CEO of Opti; Patrik Adamson, CEO of Lysa, and Ulf Ahrner, CEO of Fundler. These three individuals represent new tech-based companies that mainly use algorithms and computers to offer customers advice on their personal savings. They were opposed by Johan Thorén, vice president of Strand Capital Management, and Peter Malmqvist, chief analyst at Remium Nordic, who represented the more orthodox, human-interaction-based side of things. The panel was moderated by financial heavyweight and former SASSE president Günther Mårder. The robot side set out to challenge the notion of financial services and private banking. Historically, private banking has been exclusively for wealthy individuals. However, automation and digitalization has had a perhaps unprecedented impact on our society, including the financial sector. Increased computer power, complex algorithms, and the new methods of identification through a so-called “mobile bank ID” have changed banking as we know it. Furthermore, new lifestyles, consult-based working conditions and the ”on-demand” attitude 45

of millennials have altered how we think about our money. Grevelius, Ahrner and Adamson all agreed that the finance sector should be democratized and made more transparent, allowing everyone access to qualitative and personalized savings plans. The advocates of traditional capital management, however, had another way of looking at it. According to Malmqvist, assessing the level of risk one is willing to be exposed to is easier said than done. Measuring the appropriate level of risk for someone’s savings cannot be done in an 8-point questionnaire, which is what some of the new tech-based actors set out to do. In addition, as efficient as computers are in interpreting huge sets of numerical data, they are of no use compared to a speculative and curious human mind. Computers cannot predict the risks associated with sudden political turmoil, changes in official bank rate or other more general happenings affecting the economy. When discussing the future, both sides could agree on a likely increase in transparency in the financial sector, fueled by new technology and shifting attitudes. More difficult to agree on was the level of individual risk resulting from robot-based saving. After a thought-provoking hour and a half, members of SSE Alumni Club stepped out into the Atrium to mingle and continue the discussion. TEXT // MATILDA FORS DESIGN // FRANSISKA ASPEGRÉN

WAY BEFORE

YOU KNEW THAT

MINIMAX

EXISTED YOU ALREADY KNEW

THAT YOU

WANTED TO BE A

CONTRIBUTOR

HERE.* Humans vs Robots who will handle our money?

*Risk of alternative facts. Send a message to cred@sasse.se to get involved.. 46