Annalisa

Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?

During my bachelor's in biomedical engineering, the course I liked the most was ”Biomedical signal processing”. That interest quickly grew beyond the classroom, leading me to study signal processing more deeply. I also became interested in information theory, wanting to understand both its mathematical foundations and its practical impact on modern communication systems. When choosing my master's programme, I looked for one that would allow me to continue in this direction, and ”Information and Network Engineering” at KTH turned out to be the best fit for my interests and long-term goals. I was also eager to study abroad for a longer period than a typical exchange programme allows, and I was curious to see what life was like in a Nordic country. Coming to KTH felt like the perfect way to combine academic growth with a completely new life experience. To this day, I am happy I decided to go here.

What are some of your favourite courses so far?

My favourite course so far has been the ”Build Your Own Radar System” project course. It was challenging, but at the same time, it was so fun and incredibly rewarding. This course was strongly hands-on, allowing us to design and implement a real radar using both hardware and software-defined radio platforms. I worked directly with RF components, carried out measurements and applied signal processing algorithms to the measured data to extract range, velocity and generate SAR images. Since it was a project-based course, after the first two weeks of lectures, the remaining six weeks were fully dedicated to applying the concepts we had just learned in practice. I really appreciate courses that go beyond theory and give students the chance to apply concepts through practical projects, and this one did exactly that.

How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?

The Italian and Swedish education systems differ quite a lot. For example, in Italy, the academic year is split into two semesters, each lasting four months of lectures, followed by at least one month of exams. Students usually enrol in four or five courses each semester. In Sweden, the academic year is organised into eight-week blocks, with students focusing on only two courses at a time during each period. Another difference is the teaching approach: in Italy, attending lectures and studying independently is usually enough, while here at KTH, students face many assignments and projects, both individually and in groups, which help keep them on track. This demands much more organisation, but it is also beneficial; since you are constantly working with course materials, preparing for exams feels less stressful.

How is student life in Stockholm?

I really enjoy my life as a student in Stockholm! Both the student union and the university organise a wide range of activities and events, from movie nights and board game evenings to workshops and seminars on topics you can find interesting. Life is also fun in both the university environment and student accommodations. Being in such an international setting gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world, discover new cultures, traditions, and delicious foods. I found it very easy to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people, who eventually became my good friends. On top of that, Stockholm is a beautiful city, with plenty of parks and natural areas for hiking, as well as many interesting museums and cultural sites to explore.

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

I would say: go for it! Of course, ensure the programme and courses align with your interests, but as a university, KTH is an excellent choice. It is well organised, and professors are always willing to help if you have questions. I recommend reading the programme information carefully when preparing your application, and if you have any doubts, feel free to contact me or the programme coordinator. Take the leap; you will have an amazing time as a student at KTH!