Alma says that KTH gives you the freedom to follow what you are interested in
Alma comes from Tromsø, Norway where she studied at the University of Tromsø. She loves to be in the outdoors. Hiking and kayaking are two of her favorite activities! She studied at KTH between 2019 and 2021.
What made me choose KTH?
When I was looking for a university to do my master's degree, I knew I wanted to go to Stockholm, and I was hoping that there would be a good master's programme here. Stockholm has been one of my favourite cities since I visited it for the first time when I was 13. It is the perfect mix of big city life but still super accessible to nature and close to the ocean. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology really intrigued me because of the courses that are offered. They are all super interesting and focus on preparing you for work-life after you end your studies.
What do you like the most about KTH?
There are two main reasons why I chose KTH. The first is the ability KTH gives you to build your own master's degree because you can choose between the tracks that are offered in the programme. Besides choosing your track, you also get to choose many elective courses that basically give you the freedom to follow what you are interested in. The second reason I wanted to go to KTH is all the exchange possibilities KTH offers! With 108 partnering universities for biotechnology, you have so many opportunities to do an exchange during your master's programme to gain even more experiences and learn about a second culture!
What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?
I'm half Swedish, so I've visited Sweden many times, and I have a lot of family here, although I've never lived in Sweden. Stockholm really is a fantastic city with cultural offerings everywhere. And if you are feeling tired of the big city one day, quiet and peaceful forests and the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago are only a few stops away by public transport.
What is my best memory from your time at KTH so far?
I'm only in my first year here at KTH, so I haven't had a lot of experiences yet. But the activities arranged in the arrival days were all super fun! This is where I met the first people I got to know in Stockholm, and there were so many different activities to choose from to attend.
Are there any differences between studying at KTH and your home university?
The biggest difference is probably the size. KTH is a big university with a big campus, but that is something that I actually enjoy. It feels like KTH is its own community with different areas and places to hang out. KTH is also a lot more focused on group work and presentations than my old university. I think that's great because you want to be used to working together and presenting scientific data when you are looking for a job after your master's degree.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master's studies?
KTH is a great choice, and you won't regret it! It's so easy to be an international student at KTH because there are so many of us! Swedish people are all very good at English as well, so it won't be a problem to get into the Swedish way of life.
Are you taking part in any student activities?
I am a member of the KTH outdoors club that organizes everything from kayaking trips, to cross-country skiing, to regular climbing/bouldering sessions (sometimes followed by a beer). You can either be a member and get prioritized for events as well as a 50% discount on renting equipment (they rent tents, sleeping bags, etc.) or also help out with organizing events! There are tons of other clubs associated with KTH as well.