Katrin

Why did you choose this programme at KTH?

I really loved my bachelor’s programme in Human-Computer Interaction and felt like I wanted to learn more about the field, especially parts I hadn’t explored yet, like Design. I was looking for a master’s that would let me try out different areas and help me figure out what I enjoy most, without having to decide on a fixed track from the beginning.

It was also important to me to study in English and in an international environment. I’ve always enjoyed being around people from different cultures because I think it leads to more creative and fun ideas. Most programmes I found were either too narrow or didn’t offer much flexibility, so this one really stood out to me.

I was also curious about life in Sweden, especially the work-life balance people talk about, and I liked that KTH focuses more on sustainability, something my bachelor’s didn’t really cover. A few years before moving here, I visited Stockholm and really liked the city. I loved the mix of nature, the old buildings in Gamla Stan, and just the general atmosphere. After living in a small town like Würzburg, I wanted to experience student life in a bigger city with more cultural things going on.

What are the best aspects of your programme?

One of the best aspects of my programme is the flexibility in course selection and the kind, inspiring people. As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoy how freely I can choose my classes, and I’ve been taking full advantage of that by picking courses related to Design, Programming, and even some in language. I keep challenging myself to try out new things, which has been both exciting and rewarding. I think that’s also a big reason why I’ve grown so much personally over the past year.

Another thing I really appreciate is the people, both my fellow students and the lecturers. Even though our programme is quite large, with over 100 people in one year, we get to know each other well thanks to the group projects we do in many of our courses. We often work with different people, which helps create a nice, friendly atmosphere. Everyone around me is so ambitious and genuinely excited about the different things that we are learning, which I love, and which got me really excited and ambitious as well. The lecturers are also very approachable and open to discussing any questions or ideas we have. I’ve really enjoyed this open and supportive feedback culture.

What are some of your favourite courses so far?

I’ve enjoyed all the courses for different reasons, but a few really stood out to me. Sustainability and Media Technology was eye-opening for me, since I hadn’t studied sustainability before, it gave me a solid overview of a big, complex topic that I found really interesting. It is also a mandatory class if you haven’t studied anything related to the topic before.

Human-Centered Technology for Disabilities was another highlight. It’s all about designing so everyone can use your products, regardless of ability. I actually chose KTH partly because of this class, since my bachelor’s thesis was on disability research in HCI and I felt passionate about the topic and wanted to learn more about it. During the class we got to evaluate a Swedish service for accessibility and co-designed our redesign of the service with professionals from Begripsam.

Finally, Physical Interaction Design and Realization took me in a direction I hadn’t expected. We got to choose our own project within a broad theme and build a physical prototype from scratch, which was completely new for me. I had never worked with electronics or done any hands-on crafting like that before, so it was definitely a steep learning curve. However, once I got past that initial hesitation, I really started enjoying it and even discovered a strong interest in physical and feminist Design. It’s something I’m now seriously thinking about for my future, which I hadn’t imagined before taking the class. The course is held in MIDDLA, the programme’s own makerspace, which is open to all students for crafting, experimenting, or just hanging out.

How is student life in Stockholm?

I’m really loving student life in Stockholm. Everyone is friendly, and there’s always something to do, whether it’s at school or around the city. On campus, there are chapter bar nights, university talks (like this year’s discussion with Spotify founder Daniel Ek), and loads of association events. I joined many activities run by Malvina, KTH’s female and non-binary KTH association, like company visits, a data feminism workshop, and even a free pottery class. I enjoyed them so much that I’ll be Head of Art Direction on their board next year, so I hope you’ll join us!

Outside school, my Mecenat card gets me great student discounts, and I love hunting for bargains in thrift stores! They are perfect for clothes or even furnishing your first Stockholm apartment. The city also has cheap or free events year-round, from Christmas lights in winter to Kulturnatt and the August Kulturfestivalen. Museums often have free entry too, e.g. Moderna Museet is open without charge on Friday evenings.

The language courses in August are a fantastic way to ease into life here in Stockholm and a great way to meet people from all kinds of disciplines before your programme starts. I made some of my best friends during these courses and discovered so many new KTH chapters and events!

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

If you find a programme at KTH that grabs your interest, I’d really encourage you to take the leap and apply! KTH has so much to offer, in terms of academic educations but also personal growth. This master’s in Interactive Media Technology is a great mix of disciplines, there’s something for everyone. Feel free to reach out with questions, I’m happy to help however I can!