After more than 1,600 submissions from around the country, the Swedish Institute, Embassy of Sweden and Student Competitions.com selected UO’s Michael Buchman as a third place winner for the Challenge Your Perspectives contest.

Buchman, who graduated as a double major in political science and economics this past spring, chose to participate in the contest for a chance to travel abroad and complete a Master’s in Economics degree for free from Uppsala University.

The Challenge Your Perspectives contest asked students to write a case solution essay describing how they would use their skills in an area that distinguishes Sweden (political science, economics, or environmental management and policy), as well as explain why they would like to study in Sweden.

“My view was that Sweden has a culture of sustainability and long term planning, and that this perspective could do wonderful things if it was emphasized more frequently in both our consumer culture and political process,” explained Buchman about his case essay. “I didn't have the opportunity to study abroad during my undergraduate years and this is such a great opportunity. It was also a competition which made the process more appealing to me.”

Buchman’s essay and answers beat contestants from Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, UC Berkeley, and Cornell University.

In the end, Buchman earned a third place for the Uppsala University economics program. Unfortunately, the third place does not include a scholarship award. However, as a finalist, Buchman was invited to a special ceremony with all expenses paid to Washington D.C. and to have the opportunity to attend for free the Nobel Prize ceremonies.

Buchman is applying for a scholarship through Uppsala University directly, but if he doesn’t get the support he needs, he will likely need to abandon any plans to study in Sweden.

For a complete list of all the finalists or participate in an upcoming contest, visit http://www.challengeyourperspectives.com/index.html