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Nitish

Nitish is from Mumbai, India. He considers himself a global citizen – before arriving here in Sweden, he lived for extended durations in the US, the UK, and India. He enjoys experiencing the cultural nuances and idiosyncrasies that at times seem illogical. Yet they help him broaden his outlook, and he likes to make new acquaintances with people from different parts of the world.

What made you choose KTH?

After my graduation in Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, I wanted to continue studying in my field. KTH is one of the best technical universities in the world, especially for a niche field like mine. The KTH programme offers different tracks, and the focus is on developing a deeper understanding of the subject. Further, I can choose elective courses and can specialise further in my chosen track.

What do you like most about KTH?

Even before landing in Stockholm, what I appreciated was KTH’s effort to engage with me and prepare me for life in Stockholm & KTH. Regular communication and connection with the student ambassador relieved me of some of the anxieties that one would normally have. The first week of introduction set the tone right and made me comfortable, and I was really looking forward to the programme.

The lively KTH campus has a charm of its own, and I look forward to the various events that are scheduled for the coming months.

What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?

It was love at first sight as I looked out of the window when the airplane landed at Arlanda. The first thing that you notice about the city is just what a spectacular natural setting it has, set on hundreds of islands in a lagoon.

On the ground, Stockholm has a unique and mesmerizing landscape, characterised by its yellow buildings and cobblestone streets. The church spires and the well-preserved medieval heritage architecture will keep one busy with their camera to capture the breath-taking city views.

More importantly, people here are friendly and willing to help when you approach them – this is very important when one is away from home.
Truly, it is the Venice of the North and I intend to explore and experience every bit of it in the coming months

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

The Welcome Reception for the new students was grand and truly inspirational and took place in the Stockholm City Hall, which is the venue of Nobel Prize banquet.

Also, the Ship Society (Skeppssällskapet) welcome day was very exciting! We were split into teams and we had to build a ship using plastic containers. The ship would be judged based on three criteria: speed, load carrying capacity, and aesthetics. After the competition, we were treated with a Swedish dinner – our first encounter with Swedish culture!

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

At KTH, the focus is more on collaboration and hands-on learning. From the first week itself, the assignments focused on the practical aspects of the subject, which made them very interesting. I can see that innovation and creativity are given utmost importance at KTH.

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

I would say studying at KTH is a complete package – Stockholm’s fascinating natural beauty, intersecting with KTH’s 200-year-old legacy and the friendly staff at KTH. KTH is truly an international university, and I find it to be an interesting opportunity to study with fellow students from different parts of the globe. The style of teaching is very engaging, and I have already been on a ship to get a first-hand feel of things. The focus is on teamwork & exploration, and hands-on experience is an important element of learning.

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

Firstly, the faculty is renowned in their fields with active connections to industry. The style of teaching is appealing, and the assignments are realistic and challenging. I feel I am at the right place. I have chosen the elective ‘Underwater Technology’, and only a few weeks into the session I find it an interesting field to get into.

Are you taking part in any student activities?

I am a member of the Ship Society (Skeppssällskapet) and I like to participate actively in the events organised by the society.

Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?

Given a choice, I would like to pursue a PhD and continue to do research in applied mechanics.