Carolin

Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?

The master's programme at KTH offers me the possibility to focus on my areas of interest, the application of computer science in medicine on the one hand, and healthcare logistics and clinical innovation on the other hand. Furthermore, KTH and the Karolinska Institute represent an interesting and innovative research location for medical technology.

I also chose KTH because I was interested in Swedish culture and Stockholm. I have always wanted to live abroad for a longer time and study for my entire master's degree in English. Stockholm was particularly attractive to me because there is a lot to discover and you can quickly get to nature. In addition, I wanted to experience the beautiful long days in summer and the short days in winter.

What are the best aspects of your programme?

I like the variety of courses we can choose from. I was able to deepen my knowledge of different areas within Medical Engineering but also ofeconomic and social issues. For example, I took one course about "Gender and Diversity" and another one about "Logistics and Supply Chain Management". 

What are some of your favourite courses so far?

One of my favourite courses so far was "Deep Learning in Data Science". In this course, we learned about the basics of deep learning and applied them in different exercises. The main part of the course was a project where we were able to choose the topic ourselves. My group decided to write an algorithm to identify Alzheimer's disease on MRI images. I liked most about this course because we all studied different programmes and had to combine our knowledge to achieve a good result. 

How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?

There are several differences between KTH and my previous university. The biggest difference is the number of projects and group works. Previously, I had to write an exam in every course, and we never had group work that was graded. Now I have projects in almost every course. This not only allows me to apply my knowledge much more directly, but I also have the feeling that my studies are much more personal, as I am often in contact with the professors and teaching assistants.

Another difference is the division of the academic year into four periods. In Germany, we had two semesters and I was used to studying for up to six exams during my semester breaks. At KTH, you can focus on just two or three courses at a time, and the exams are written immediately after.

How is student life at KTH?

The student life at KTH is very active, even though it was restricted by the pandemic for the last year. Compared to my previous university, the student union is much bigger, and there are many more active associations. I got involved in THS International, the international part of the student union, where we organize events for international and master's students and represent them towards the university. But there are also a lot of sport and career associations so that everyone can find something that interests them. 

How would you describe your time at KTH so far?

My first year at KTH was very special as my courses were almost digital. However, even though I could not attend classes in person, I got to know a lot of my classmates in group works, and we often met to study together.

Especially great were the first few weeks after my arrival when I had a fantastic welcome by the THS International Reception and got to know a lot of people right away. In general, I enjoy getting to know people from different countries and with interdisciplinary backgrounds at KTH.

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

In my opinion, KTH has a lot to offer, from interesting and challenging studies to active student life to an inspiring international environment. Furthermore, Stockholm is a great city to live in, and there are many beautiful places in Sweden to travel to.