Calin

Hej! I am Calin, a twenty-year-old student in the bachelor’s programme in Information and Communication Technology. I am from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, where I have just completed upper secondary school, which means I have only been in Sweden for one year. I fill my free time with things such as playing the guitar or hanging out with friends and even learning new stuff (not necessarily related to my studies). Travelling is also one of my other passions, although I don’t get to travel much these days.

What made you choose KTH/Stockholm/Sweden and your programme?

It all started with a clear intention to study abroad. Everything unfolded systematically from that point. I decided that I didn’t want to leave Europe.
I would choose from the countries that I visited beforehand and then concluded that Sweden was one of the most balanced countries for my needs. Thus far, this has proven true! My interest in Computer Sciences started in 2009 (at the relatively young age of 10) and by 2011 I already knew that I would apply to study Informatics at upper secondary school and would then subsequently aim for a more specific Computer Science Degree at university. KTH was the most obvious choice as it is prestigious and well known for its qualities, ranking as one of the best Engineering Universities in Europe.

What are the best aspects of your programme?

I am going to state this clearly from the beginning: I receive the help I need. In other words, this summarises my experiences here: I never feel lost or behind. KTH is such a friendly environment, starting with the students and all the teachers. The teaching here is incredible and includes a lot of practical stuff (labs, projects, seminars), as well as great lectures by the teachers. It is also really great to see how students study together and help each other. The well-equipped campus is also really useful. KTH basically creates one of the best environments for you to study. But, from here on, the rest is up to you.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

Stockholm is one of the most welcoming cities I have ever visited. And moving here was really straightforward. There are a lot of activities in which to participate. I usually attend many of the activities held by the KTH’s Student Union, although there are plenty of other things to do. The diversity is incredible, people are really helpful and friendly. I was rather surprised (in a positive way, of course) by the number of people who speak English here. Overall, Stockholm is a great place to live.

Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme? If Yes, which track and why? What are your favourite courses thus far?

Thus far, I have completed two years of my Bachelor’s degree so it is pretty hard to already have chosen a specialisation. The domain is vast and there are many opportunities and directions. If I were to choose a few courses that I enjoyed the most, they would definitely be Computer Hardware Engineering, Functional Programming and Networking. These courses involve the most hands-on work with fascinating projects and real-life problems. They might be a bit on the demanding side, but the sense of completion is fulfilling.

What is your best memory from your time at KTH so far?

I have enjoyed a lot of student activities here. What surprised me the most was the well-organised reception. I was definitely not expecting to be welcomed this way. However, I’m not going to give away too many details as it should be an experience for every new student.

There was also this event called Sjöslaget (naval battle) which I enjoyed a lot. It is basically a trip to Finland on a ferry with many students. This is a really exciting experience where you can meet a lot of new people and make new friends.

How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?

My previous experiences are not from a university environment. Thus, they differ quite significantly. Coming from a more theoretical background of studies, KTH has helped me put into practice a lot of notions and get the feeling of actually doing projects, labs and more practical things.

What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for their master’s studies?

If you have read this far then you are most probably interested in applying to KTH. I can only encourage you to apply. There’s nothing that could go wrong. It is an amazing experience!

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

My dream would actually be not to get a job. I know it sounds funny, but it isn’t. I really hope I can get my own business going as soon as I finish university.

What dreams do you have for the future?

This goes well with the previous question. My dream is to inspire, to help and to create something for people. At the moment I have no idea what this might be, but I hope I will find out during my stay here at KTH.

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Bachelor's programme in Information and Communication Technology