Sophia

Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme? Which track and why?

I'm on the Internetworking track, which focuses on network architecture and the infrastructure that keeps communication systems working at scale. I chose it because, to me, it is the foundation of everything in this field. It gives you a view of the full picture, meaning how all the pieces fit together and depend on each other, which I found more compelling than going deep into just one area. You still get exposure to wireless systems and cybersecurity, but what I've enjoyed most is learning how to design and build infrastructures where every component works together as efficiently as possible. There's something really satisfying about thinking at that level of scale and complexity.

What are some of your favourite courses so far?

I would have to say Building network systems security (EP2520) and Design of fault-tolerant systems (ID2218). Building Networked Systems stands out because it is entirely project-based. We worked in a group of five to design and build a network for a company from scratch. It was incredibly educational because it forced you to apply everything you had learned theoretically and make real decisions under real constraints. There is a big difference between understanding a concept in a lecture and having to implement it, debug it, and defend your choices to your teammates. That course made that gap very clear, and closing it was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at KTH so far. The latter is also incredible, with the professor who wrote the book on it, so we get amazing insight, and the lectures are very insightful as well. The exercises are fun, and I truly learned a lot in a fun way, which I appreciate.

How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?

At IST in Lisbon, the culture was intense in a particular way. It was a very high workload, very competitive, and there was a certain pride in the difficulty of it all, and it seemed that was more important than our learning and enjoying coursework. KTH is rigorous too, but the atmosphere feels different. There's more emphasis on independent thinking and less on surviving. I've also found that KTH encourages you to connect your studies more explicitly to the broader world. Whether through research groups, industry collaboration, or just the general expectation that you have your own reasons for being here. Coming from IST, I was used to working hard and at KTH I've had to get better at working deliberately. There is a fine balance between studies and life, which makes me less tired all the time and allows me to truly focus on learning.

What do you want to do after graduating?

The honest answer is that I'm still figuring it out, and I think that's okay. But the direction is clearer than it used to be. I'm drawn toward work that sits at the boundary between technical infrastructure and cultural knowledge: things like building data systems for archaeological research, contributing to open heritage databases, or developing computational tools that help researchers do things that weren't previously feasible. I've been actively connecting with the Swedish digital archaeology community while I study, which has opened conversations about everything from FAIR data infrastructure to 3D artefact reconstruction. Wherever I land, I want the technical skills I'm building at KTH to serve something that feels meaningful beyond the purely technical.

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

Sometimes I feel like I didn't choose KTH, but KTH chose me. When I finished my bachelor's, I found myself quite lost, looking for a place of refuge, and KTH turned out to be exactly that. Over the past year, I have grown enormously, learning from my colleagues, my professors, and the opportunities the university has placed in front of me in ways I didn't expect. I could tell you all the information you probably already know. KTH is one of Europe's leading technical universities, with world-class faculty, strong industry connections, and an amazing research environment. But more than that, the culture here encourages you to be more than just a student. You are expected to have your own perspective, pursue your own interests, and contribute something of your own to the community around you. 

So, my advice would be to get the most out of every moment you're here. Open yourself to new experiences and let Stockholm and KTH show you just how many opportunities are waiting for you.