"I like the fact that there is always something going on either at KTH or in Stockholm"

What made you choose Sweden and KTH for your studies?

Having completed my prior studies in Canada, England, Australia and Germany at some of the world’s most renowned institutions, I wanted to keep the international factor and ranking alive. I am also a ‘city kid’ with love for winter and having been to Stockholm many times on holidays, I knew it would be a great fit. Many people also don’t know that Stockholm has an extremely innovative environment and is huge in the ICT sector, which was perfect as I’ve wanted to explore these sectors more and see what opportunities were out there.

When I was completing my undergrad degree, I had to take a few classes that were UX and UI focused. I found them to be so refreshing and interesting compared to my other pure coding and business classes. When I began to dive deeper into the world of UX and HCI, I began to love the idea of understanding how people actually interacted with technology, due to the fact that it’s not something that a lot of people even think about when it comes to technology or products in general.

HCID, here at KTH, isn’t just about computer science and psychology; it allows you to explore entrepreneurship and innovation in conjunction, making it the perfect extension of my undergraduate degree.

What do you like most about KTH?

I would have to say the fact that they really put an emphasis on doing well in your studies but also having fun. Even though KTH is academically challenging, it is important to have fun while you are doing it. You’re living in the Capital of Scandinavia and should explore what it has to offer. There is always something going on at the university, whether it’s a firework concert, a panel on advance AI or trips to St. Petersburg. It’s a great way to meet new people as well as maybe find a new interest!

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

Having only been to Sweden during the winter, it is great to see it in a ‘new light,’ especially because the sun is out for so long. It’s great to see such an international community that is also so welcoming.

Sweden is relatively similar to Canada in that everyone has an appreciation of a good city and nature balance, sometimes hard to find in other cultures. Also, let’s not forget about the great term ‘fika’ – if you don’t know what it is yet and you choose to come to KTH, you will defiantly know what I’m talking about after a week.

What do you like most about being here?

I like the fact that there is always something going on either at KTH or an event in Stockholm. You are never bored, and it’s a great way to get out and explore what Stockholm and Sweden have to offer! I also find the people are extremely welcoming and very international, so there is always an opportunity to find those with similar interests.

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

I would have to say that my favourite memory thus far has been Osqvik. This is an event held during the international reception run by THS. It is an overnight event held at KTH’s cabin east of

Stockholm. Here we had classic Swedish meatballs while learning about Swedish dinner culture. Later in the evening we were able to participate in sauna time and jump into the cold, yet refreshing, water to cool off. It is something I don’t think many cultures have, and it was a great way to meet people from all over the world.

What do you think are the differences between studying at KTH and your home university?

KTH is a lot smaller of a university than those I attended during my undergraduate studies. This means that you are constantly running into people you know, which I love. The class sizes also seem to be smaller and are broken up into even smaller groups for tutorials and such. This makes getting to know people in your programme easy, especially because there is a significant focus on group projects in HCID.

There is also less class time than what I am used to in Canada. This makes it easier to review materials and also get out and explore the city!

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

I would say do it! Put yourself out there a little more, especially if you’re an international student looking for a change of scenery. There are amazing opportunities here for those programmes that KTH offers. If you’re feeling a little apprehensive or overwhelmed, there are great resources out there to help with anything that you can think of.

KTH has a great international community and student body which makes it easy to get out there and meet new people!