Ekansh feels that the amount of flexibility here is amazing as one can design one’s own study programme according to one’s needs

What made you choose KTH?

I was going through the QS rankings list of top universities in environmental studies across Europe, and I stumbled across KTH and went to their website to find out the course makeup. It perfectly catered to my needs and demands. It was a no brainer for me to apply.

Honestly, I have always admired Swedes and Swedish culture for a very long time now, and most of my influences have had Swedish roots before my arrival to Sweden, and they have grown in number as I age. Stockholm, being the capital of the country, is a major city with all the amenities one would require for leading a lagom lifestyle. And looking from an environmental point of view, it has a very bold target to be fossil fuel-free by the year 2050, and it is already called the Sustainable City of Scandinavia.

What do you like most about KTH?

Flexibility! The amount of flexibility here is amazing. One can design one’s own study programme according to one’s needs across various competency profiles. I enjoy that we are allowed to take courses different from our programmes, and the student life at KTH with regular fika breaks and the relaxed environment makes it much easier to focus on your goals and ambitions.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

This city is amazing irrespective of the season, and I personally like going to Skogskyrkogården, which is a park/cemetery. It is so beautiful in every season.

I’m also in awe of the public transport here, which is extremely reliable and makes it very easy to go to different parts of the city across different platforms with one regular ticket. Also, the city is bike-friendly. Having its own biking paths reserved for cyclists offers a huge potential for saving energy and exercising while giving one an authentic experience of Stockholm.

Sweden is really a cultured and diverse place, from Kiruna in the north to Malmö in the south. There’s so much contrast, but what is common is the respect, hospitality, and genuineness, which is one of the most appreciable qualities about Swedes. The landscapes do change, and most of Sweden is green and uninhabited, but it has the most scenic locations with ice, snow, lakes, rivers mountains, gorges, and trails – there is so much for you to explore!

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

I was glad to be a part of the task force for THS Armada 2017, which is an annual career fair at KTH and is known as the “biggest career fair of Scandinavia.” This gave me an opportunity to handle various difficult tasks. The problem-solving aspect of the tasks while having fun at the same time was one of the best experiences that I truly cherish.

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

As mentioned already, KTH offers me a lot of flexibility, and their relaxed environment encourages innovations while relaxing at the same time. Another difference I have noticed is the practical approach towards each and every concept, and their real-life implementation is an important part of the coursework; seldom will you encounter a course that lacks this practical approach, which is crucial for understanding vital concepts.

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

I know it is hard to make a decision to choose a programme and subsequently a city that fulfils your checklist of the perfect place to live and study, but from my personal experience, I can assure you if you choose KTH you are in for an experience of a lifetime.

Are you taking part in any student activities?

I have been making the most of my time by being an active participant in most of the student activities on the KTH campus. I have been a participant in the International Reception, which caters and provides a welcoming platform to the new incoming students every admission season. I have also been an event organiser for THS MAIN, which is a group of people who organise fun events for all master’s and international students.

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

I hope to see myself working for an environmental consultancy, preferably in the field of water and wastewater engineering.