Parastu loves the broad international atmosphere KTH has created by gathering students from all around the world

What made you choose KTH?

When I was in high school, I travelled with my family to Sweden, and I got the chance to visit the KTH campus as well. Since then, it has been a goal and, of course, a dream for me to study at KTH. Apart from the remarkable rankings and statistics, to me, KTH is one of the best technological universities leading in innovation and student support and providing great opportunities for students to bring their ideas to life. Moreover, I love the broad international atmosphere KTH has created by gathering students from all around the world.

What made you choose Stockholm / Sweden?

Personally, I fell in love with the Scandinavian culture and lifestyle. I love to travel, and in the near future, I want to travel to the northern regions to see the Northern Lights, one of the most amazing phenomena to experience in Sweden.

Regarding the Swedish culture, as a girl coming from a Middle Eastern country, it feels great to see the effort being put towards gender equality and safety for women and also to experience it on a daily basis.

What made you choose your programme?

In high school, I learned about the significant role of technology in medical science. Technological advancements throughout the last decade and the increasing role of engineering in medical treatment have motivated me to attend workshops and meetings related to my field. Continuing to my Bachelor's degree, I knew my passion was towards combining medicine and technology, and I had the chance to learn the basics of this in my home country. When it came to my master's studies, I always had the dream of studying abroad.

What do you like most about KTH?

I think KTH is a complete package. It provides excellent study opportunities, from career fairs and student support to a wide variety of extracurricular activities. In any subject, you are given a chance to grow and enrich your skills. I count it as a blessing to find so many friends due to the great international atmosphere created by KTH. All of the staff and alumni are willing to guide you with any questions or difficulties during your studies.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

I can say Stockholm became my home very quickly. As an international student, one might have doubts about how to blend into society, get used to the climate, and connect with the culture. No matter their age, everyone knows English. Therefore it's absolutely easy to get around, and people are always looking forward to helping you.

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

During September, we have the KTH Fireworks concert, which is an amazing orchestra playing for the evening and a beautiful closing with fireworks and lights. This was a memorable night for me to enjoy the music and fireworks with my friends on campus.

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

Every course has a well-structured schedule that is available months ahead of time so you can plan your studies as well as your leisure time. I am amazed by the fact that professors are very friendly and close to students, and while both sides have great respect for each other, the atmosphere is not formal. Unlike my home university, KTH provides the chance for students to go for exchange studies to another country, which I find both adventurous and an excellent opportunity to experience another academic environment and culture.

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

Obtaining a master's degree is an important decision and step in life, especially if you are moving abroad. Read about your chosen programme on the KTH website and check out the opportunities it provides in your field.

What do you see as the most significant aspects of your programme?

Medical Engineering is a combination of medical studies and engineering knowledge, and this makes it very diverse and broad. KTH offers many interesting courses in collaboration with Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University. I believe this is an excellent opportunity for the students to be involved in different aspects of this field. Study visits to hospitals, lectures from experts in the industry, and real-life problem solving are my favourite aspects of this programme.

Are you taking part in any student activities?

This summer, I had the chance to be part of THS (KTH Student Union) and to work as the marketing manager for the THS International Reception. We organised events, social activities, and tours for the new incoming international master's students to KTH in order to give them a warm welcome and to help them during their first month in Stockholm. The whole month of August has been a fantastic time for me to meet new people, make friends, and answer their questions, all thanks to the great teamwork and environment we have.

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

I came to KTH with a background in electronics and hardware and found my passion for software development during my studies here. Currently, I would like to focus on smart medical devices for remote patient care. This technology provides monitoring and possible early diagnosis for patients who cannot visit the hospital on a regular basis or who need constant supervision. With the aid of Internet of Things (IoT), both patients and physicians are able to have an open communication, and vital signs can be monitored from a distance. These are also referred to as "smart" devices because the algorithm will be able to give a diagnosis based on analysis of the received data. My favourite part of this project is the fact that I get to work on designing the device, but also get to work on the software development to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.