Eliise
Eliise comes from Estonia. Before coming to study in Sweden, she studied a bachelor's in Environmental, Energy and Chemical Engineering at Tallinn University of Technology. She is now enrolled in the Nuclear Energy Engineering master’s programme at KTH. In her free time, she enjoys skating, folk dancing, yoga, and fika with good friends.
Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?
I became interested in nuclear energy through an elective at my home university. Some of the experts giving lectures had studied at KTH, and I was very impressed by their knowledge. I therefore considered KTH more seriously, and as I also quite liked Stockholm as a beautiful historical capital and a seaside city, I decided to go for the Nuclear Energy Engineering Master’s at KTH.
What are the best aspects of your programme?
I love being amongst such passionate and incredibly smart students. I feel like I have learned as much from my colleagues as from my professors (a lot from both!). I also enjoy the programme's sharp focus, as I can really dig into nuclear energy and learn about all its important aspects and details.
What are some of your favourite courses so far?
I think my favourite course has been the Compact Reactor Simulator course.We got the chance to do exercises with a modelling software used also in the industry, and really see and understand the control logic of a nuclear power plant. It was quite hard to orient ourselves in the complex, multilayered model at first, but as we sat at the computers with our groupmates and kept exploring, it eventually became clear how all the components work together and how different plant parameters interact. I also really enjoyed learning more about Generation IV Reactors. It was amazing to learn how these reactors would work and how these solutions could change the industry, making it more sustainable.
How is student life in Stockholm?
It is vibrant, and there are many opportunities to get involved. KTH itself has a huge variety of student organisations, from sports clubs to engineering associations. The student union, THS, actively organises events from career fairs to after-exam pubs. In addition, all students at KTH belong to a chapter based on their study area. The chapter organises weekly pubs, board game nights, Gasques, and other fun activities. Another opportunity that some of my friends have taken part in is being in the team organising the Nobel Banquet after-party (the Students’ Nobel NightCap). This is an excellent opportunity to meet students from universities across Stockholm.
How would you describe your time at KTH so far?
It has been filled with unbelievable opportunities and the chance to meet incredibly inspiring people. I have been to several events where I could talk to industry experts, including the World Nuclear Exhibition and the Nordic Nuclear Forum, which are the largest. I have been surrounded by passionate and ambitious students and professors who have inspired me greatly. I have also spent countless hours in the library, reading books and solving exercises. And many hours in group rooms, writing reports and brainstorming project solutions with my groupmates. It has been hard at times, but I have learned a lot about, obviously, nuclear energy, as well as different study and work styles and group dynamics. I have also taken time to relax and go to yoga classes at KTH Hallen, walk around Stockholm, and sometimes paint and let my creativity flow in the Nationalmuseum's studio. All in all, I have definitely enjoyed my first year at KTH and in Stockholm.