Student outcomes from the KTH Global Development Hub

Joshua joined KTH through the GDH exchange program in Fall 2024, where he participated in OpenLab, working on a project aimed at improving how elderly people access and understand information. The experience exposed him to Challenge Driven Education (CDE), a method that emphasizes stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and iterative problem solving. 

Coming from a different academic culture, Joshua found the experience both challenging and transformative. He was particularly struck by the differences in how and when people pursue higher education, as well as the openness of the learning environment. Through group work and field research, he developed strong social and communication skills, building connections with students from multiple countries that he still maintains today. 

One moment that stood out was during field interviews, where he experienced how cultural context can affect engagement. This pushed him to reflect more deeply on inclusion and accessibility in research and development work. 

The exchange had a clear impact on his academic and professional path. It encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in data science and Analytics earlier than planned. Shortly after, he was selected for a competitive national internship with the Kenyan government in data analytics, where he now applies CDE principles such as stakeholder involvement and ethical data practices in his work. 

Alongside this, Joshua co founded Agentible.dev with a fellow student, a startup focused on helping companies connect more effectively with clients. The confidence to start something of his own, he explains, came directly from the mindset he developed during his time at KTH. 

Beyond tangible outcomes, the experience changed how he sees opportunities. He describes it as a turning point that helped him move away from a strictly linear career path and instead explore multiple possibilities, both academically and professionally.

Keabetswe joined KTH through the GDH exchange program in Spring 2025. She participated in the OpenLab Multidisciplinary Project Course (MF2065 Innovations for the Emerging City), where she worked alongside other African exchange students. The GDH space in Stockholm quickly became a supportive community, easing homesickness and helping her navigate both academic and daily life.

Her experience was both challenging and transformative. Academically, she faced a steep learning curve adapting from a traditional Electrical Engineering curriculum at Botho University to KTH’s practical and project based approach. Socially, she learned to navigate a more individualistic and self directed environment, which required her to become more independent and resourceful. 

Living in a new cultural and academic environment reshaped her perspective on sustainability and global development. Witnessing Sweden’s focus on SDG goals inspired her to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors back home, including educating peers and joining a green living club.

Through her CDE course, Keabetswe learned how to identify community needs before proposing solutions. Applying this methodology, she launched Kae Style Collections, a startup that creates custom gift hampers and helps people order products from overseas platforms like SHEIN, TEMU, and Alibaba. She draws inspiration from Stockholm’s systems and resources, seeking to adapt ideas to Botswana’s context.

Beyond tangible outcomes, the exchange strengthened her mindset for innovation, problem solving, and cross cultural collaboration. She continues to maintain international contacts and networks, enriching her academic and professional trajectory. 

Jean Bosco joined KTH through the GDH exchange program in Spring 2025 as part of his Master’s studies in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Rwanda. During his time in Stockholm, he focused on environmental toxicology, particularly mycotoxin analysis, an area directly connected to his current work as a laboratory analyst at the Rwanda Standards Board.

One of the most important outcomes of the exchange was the direct relevance of what he learned. The knowledge and techniques he gained are now part of his daily work, strengthening both his technical competence and his confidence in his role. He highlights that the experience allowed him not only to improve his analytical skills, but also to better understand health risks related to environmental toxins and how to address them in practice.

Academically, he was particularly influenced by KTH’s approach to teaching, especially the integration of industry into education. Interactions with professionals from companies such as Scania gave him insight into how academic knowledge can be applied in real world contexts. This experience inspired him to see new possibilities for collaboration between universities and industry in Rwanda.

Living in a different cultural environment also shaped his perspective on sustainability. While Rwanda has a strong national focus on cleanliness, his time in Sweden emphasized the role of individual responsibility in waste management, as well as concepts such as circular economy, recycling, and reuse. These ideas have influenced how he thinks about environmental responsibility both professionally and personally.

Although the exchange period was relatively short and came with challenges such as adapting to new group work dynamics and managing a demanding academic schedule, the overall impact was significant. Jean Bosco describes the experience as a turning point that increased his confidence and helped him see himself differently, both as a professional and as an individual.

Looking ahead, he plans to continue building on this experience by pursuing a PhD and maintaining international academic connections. He also sees his role as contributing to knowledge transfer within his institution, applying what he learned at KTH to strengthen local practices. 

Tracy Ogutu joined KTH through the GDH exchange program in Fall 2024, where she studied Informatics and Computer Science and participated in the CDE course Urban Planning and Sustainability. During her time in Stockholm, she worked on real world challenges, engaging with communities, conducting fieldwork, and collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds. 

The experience had a clear impact on her career direction. Initially focused on becoming a software engineer, Tracy discovered a stronger interest in project management and IT consulting. Through the CDE approach, she realized she enjoyed working directly with people, understanding user needs, and developing solutions in collaboration with stakeholders rather than working in isolation. 

A key part of this shift came from the methods she learned. She developed skills in structured project planning, including creating detailed timelines, using tools such as surveys and interviews, and working with visual communication tools like Canva. This approach made her more analytical and intentional in how she approaches problems, moving away from quick decisions toward research, planning, and reflection.

Her time at KTH also exposed her to a highly international and sustainable environment. Experiencing Stockholm’s approach to sustainability, combined with working in diverse teams, broadened her perspective on global challenges and the role of technology in addressing them. She describes the experience as both eye opening and motivating, particularly in seeing how academic work can connect to real societal impact.

Alongside her studies, Tracy faced financial challenges during the exchange, which led her to take on a part time role at a startup. There, she analyzed company websites and evaluated digital performance, gaining practical experience that complemented her academic learning. 

Since completing her studies, she has been actively pursuing career opportunities. Her exchange experience has played a significant role in this process, with employers showing strong interest in her time at KTH. She received offers from international organisations, including a global consulting firm, and continues to position herself for roles in consulting and project management.

Beyond career outcomes, the experience contributed to a strong personal transformation. Tracy describes herself as more confident, adaptable, and open to new experiences. Having navigated a completely new environment, she now feels better prepared to take on challenges and actively seek out new opportunities.

Stephan Nathanael participated in the GDH exchange program at KTH in 2018, where he was engaged in OpenLab and other practical, challenge driven projects such as Smart Lighting. With a background in business and technology from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), he focused on the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and real world problem solving. 

A defining aspect of his experience was the emphasis on hands on, user-cantered projects. Through the Challenge Driven Education (CDE) methodology, he learned to approach problems by first understanding user needs, then designing and iterating solutions. This way of working had a lasting impact on how he thinks and operates professionally. 

The exchange also exposed him to a new academic and cultural environment, strengthening his adaptability and global perspective. Working in international teams helped him develop collaboration skills, while managing challenges such as housing and financial constraints built resilience and independence. 

Stephan Nathanael describes the experience as life changing, particularly in how it influenced his career direction. It encouraged him to pursue entrepreneurship and focus on creating solutions with real societal impact. After returning, he founded Let’s Venture Company Limited, where he provides software and ICT services, focusing on solution design and problem solving for real world applications. 

In his company, he continues to apply CDE principles in practice, structuring projects around user needs, iterative development, and continuous reflection. His work includes developing scalable digital solutions that address local and regional challenges, contributing to both economic and societal development. 

Beyond technical outcomes, the exchange strengthened his confidence and independence. It also shaped his mindset toward innovation and long term impact, influencing how he approaches both business and collaboration.