David
David comes from Barcelona, one of the most lively cities in Spain. There, he worked hard and earned a degree in Physics. Studying Physics has always been challenging and stimulating, and that is the kind of thing he cannot get enough of. Studies aside, he enjoys hiking, biking and cooking.
Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?
I had decided to study abroad after having a rewarding experience as an exchange student in Finland. Nordic countries have always been appealing to me, and I wanted more. Its rich culture, beautiful nature and kind people simply charmed me. Knowing where I wanted to study allowed me to narrow down the scope by a significant amount. KTH is one of the best technical universities in Scandinavia, and it luckily offers a master's programme focused on Physics. I loved the flexibility when choosing courses, which allows students to tailor their education to their needs.
Have you chosen a specialisation track within the programme?
I have chosen the track in Theoretical Physics. I have always been fascinated by how mathematical models can describe nature. They enable us to know the tiniest of the particles and inconceivably far stars. Because of this interest, I aim to have a better understanding of how and why these models work. The Theoretical Physics track seemed to be the most appropriate path, and so far, it is going great!
How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?
I am satisfied with my previous studies, and I enjoyed them. However, there was a lot of variance in terms of teaching quality. Moreover, some courses were not as structured and organised as they should have been. The good thing about KTH is that they take students' feedback seriously, so there is not that much variance in the sense that all courses live up to a certain quality standard. Furthermore, improvements do not take large amounts of time to happen. I also appreciate that teachers and staff are approachable because it makes communication easier. Another huge difference is the structure of the academic year. Whereas in my home university, exams were packed in one week, the four-period structure at KTH leads to less stressful examinations. Because of that, the learning process is much more bearable, and there is some time left for hobbies and social life.
How is student life in Stockholm?
Student life in Stockholm offers a lot of possibilities. There are a wide variety of activities that you can do and associations that you can join. Regarding activities, I particularly enjoy weekend hikes (national parks are a must), biking around, and of course, having some fika. If we are talking about associations, some interesting ones are THS Main (Masters and International student group), KTH Outdoor Club, KTH magazine Osqledaren and the Chapters. As said, studies do not take the entirety of your time, so there is plenty of room to try new things and enjoy student life. I would recommend finding your housing in student areas or near them, as there is a joyful atmosphere and prices are affordable.
What do you want to do after graduating?
I would like to pursue a PhD! The idea of discovery is very exciting to me, and I would love to further extend my knowledge about nature. This year I am working with two research groups, and so far, the journey is being great, stealing some words from Mark Twain: "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.".
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master's studies?
Go for it! KTH is not only a renowned university. It takes care of its students, the education is of high quality, and the facilities are excellent. I think you cannot go wrong choosing KTH. In addition, I found Sweden to be welcoming. Maybe it was the inexistent language barrier because all Swedes speak English. Maybe it was the kindness of its people. Whatever the reason, the one thing you want when starting an adventure abroad is feeling welcomed, and Sweden did an excellent job.