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For Beatriz, the most important aspect of the master’s degree are the courses and the freedom in choosing them

Beatriz is from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal where she did her bachelor’s degree at Instituto Superior Técnico, the engineering school of Lisbon University. Here in Sweden, she uses her free time to hang out with friends, work out, or just explore the city and take pictures. She studied at KTH between 2017 and 2019.

What made you choose KTH and your programme?

I was looking for a master’s programme where I could choose the specific courses in physical-chemistry that I was most passionate about. Physical-chemistry is the area of science that applies pure physics to chemical problems. Thus, I think it is a very challenging field because I have to understand and apply principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics at the same time! KTH is an internationally recognised school that turned out to have exactly what I was looking for. The master’s degree I chose focuses on molecular design and characterisation, with many different courses covering the topics I was looking for.

What do you like the most about KTH?

I am always surprised to see how good the facilities are. Besides the classrooms and auditoriums, there are countless study rooms, many places to have lunch, computer rooms, a gym – all in extremely good condition. Overall the school is very well prepared and equipped, making it a very comfortable place to study and work.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

Sweden is a very welcoming country, and Stockholm is a peaceful and pleasant city. For me, it was very easy to move in and get used to living here. There is a lot of respect and fairness. It is clear that Sweden worries about the well-being of its people and tries to treat everyone as equally as possible.

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

Yes, the main difference is the schedule. At my home university, I would have 5 or 6 courses each semester, so my weeks were always hectic. At KTH, with two courses at a time, I have more time to meet friends, do my assignments, work out, and relax. This schedule enables me to feel more focused during the periods and feel less worn out throughout the year. And for this reason, the quality of my studies has significantly improved.

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

You don’t need to think twice! KTH is a great university, and moving to another country is a fantastic experience. Realising how much you can grow abroad is a rewarding feeling that you will never regret. In my case, I have learned to be more autonomous and to believe in myself more. Before coming to Sweden, I was worried about the cold in the winter, which turned out not to be that bad. Stockholm was the first city I saw covered in white, and I find it extremely beautiful like that. It’s the best time to go to a nice café and have a fika!

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

The most important aspect of my master’s degree are the courses and the freedom in choosing them. We have many well-thought-through options, and the programme is very personalised. We can select up to 60 ECTS of recommended courses, of which 15 ECTS can be free electives. This means that we can choose the courses in chemistry that we like the most, while still having the opportunity to study other fields we are interested in.

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

Yes, I wish to find a job in the field of surface chemistry at a company. This is the field of physical-chemistry that interests me the most because I enjoy learning new theoretical things about it, and it is a topic with which it’s possible to create exciting products (like paints, detergents, and coatings). Thus, with surface science I can work with a team and do product development, while bearing in mind that today’s industrial production must be environmentally friendly.