Ariadna

What made you choose KTH?

I was determined to get my master’s degree abroad, somewhere in Europe, and KTH is definitely one of the best technical universities on the continent. Plus, my love for Scandinavian countries and their culture had me really excited about spending a couple of years in Sweden.

I chose Engineering Physics because I wanted to specialise in applied physics, and this programme offered me state-of-the-art subjects in nanophysics and quantum technologies. I also liked the flexibility students have here when it comes to choosing courses and customising our programme.

What do you like most of KTH?

I love that even though KTH is a big university in a big city, students do not get treated as just a number in a sea of people. Everyone at KTH tries to make sure that all your needs are covered and your voice is heard, from teachers, to coordinators, to the student union. This creates a friendly atmosphere and an easy path for networking and looking for job opportunities.

Moreover, the quality of teaching is amazing, and the access to fully equipped laboratories makes the learning experience truly gratifying.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

After having lived here for a year, I am positive that Stockholm is one of the best European capitals. First of all, there is always something going on in the streets, whether it is a parade or a race or a flea market, yet it never feels too crowded because there are not many cars traveling inside the city. Most people get around biking or using public transportation, which is always on time and runs all day long.

Another great thing about Stockholm is the easy access to traveling. There are multiple options for day trips, from visiting the archipelago to hiking in a national park. On top of that, spending a weekend in any of the neighbouring cities (Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn, or Helsinki) is usually not expensive.

You may have heard that the weather is not so great up here, but I personally like it very much. In winter, even though the days are short and cold, the snow turns the city into a beautiful landscape with frozen lakes. And then, before you know it, summer is around the corner, and it brings endless days with crowded terraces.

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

If I had to choose only one memory, I might pick the day Hiroshi Amano came to Albanova. He gave a talk about his career trajectory, his discoveries, and how he ended up being awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. We had the opportunity to talk to him face to face and even have lunch with him!

Are there any differences between studying at KTH and your home university?

Definitely! I would say that the biggest difference is the structure of the academic year. In Spain, I had a huge workload at the end of each semester that culminated in a crazy exam week. However, at KTH, the year is divided into four periods, which means that most courses are only about 7 weeks long. Then, at the end of each period, there are some free days that we can use to study for the exams. Personally, I like this structure better because it helps me keep up with the course material, which eventually leads to a less stressful exam week.

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

I would like to be a researcher, so my first stop after graduating from KTH will be pursuing a PhD. Actually, this year I am working with two of the research groups at KTH, which makes me super excited to start my own career!

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

I honestly believe that you cannot go wrong by choosing KTH! I fell in love with the place the moment I set foot on it :)

And if you are worried about cultural shock, don’t. Swedes speak perfect English, so you will not find a language barrier anywhere. They are very kind and easy going, which always makes you feel welcome. Moreover, Swedes embrace multiculturalism in every aspect of their lives, so they have you covered with food from around the world in every supermarket and barbershops specialised in all sorts of hair.