Alexandru
Alexandru comes from Moldova. Before coming to Sweden, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. During his undergraduate years, he worked on multiple student projects where he developed a passion for data science while growing as a software engineer. In his free time, he enjoys playing the electric guitar and cycling through Stockholm.
Why did you choose this master’s programme?
Studying in Sweden was something I was considering even before starting my bachelor’s. Finding a programme at KTH where I can combine Data Science, Software Engineering, and Distributed Systems into one curriculum was the main decisive factor for me. Being awarded the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals by the Swedish Institute was an additional source of support for locking in my decision. Coming to Sweden was a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and follow my passions while becoming a better engineer of tomorrow.
What are the best aspects of your programme?
The programme offers the opportunity to choose courses given by incredible professors who are excellent academics teaching complex theory concepts with so much enthusiasm and simplicity. Moreover, the programme’s courses offer a practical component, mainly consisting of
assignments and projects, which are highly similar to the current best practices in the industry. Wherever you decide to continue your career in academia, pursuing a PhD, starting a new job in the industry, or even maybe opening a tech start-up, Software Engineering of Distributed
Systems offers all the necessary resources and support to pave your way in either direction.
What are your favourite courses so far?
After finishing my first year, I can say that I honestly enjoyed taking both Distributed Systems Basic and Advanced courses. While the former gave me a smooth introduction to the fundamentals of distributed systems, i.e. logical time, global state, and distributed hash tables, the latter offered me the possibility to build a deeper understanding of them, while also learning more advanced topics like consensus algorithms and CRDTs. Both courses helped me apply the learned theory through hands-on programming assignments, from building distributed hash tables in Erlang to implementing OmniPaxos and 2PC in distributed databases with Rust. KTH offers a vast number of courses to choose from as electives. One of my picks for the spring semester was Language-Based Security, which I absolutely loved. The course was a nice opportunity to drift a bit from my specialisation and focus on building a much-needed solid base in computer and software security. Some of these courses might seem complicated at first, but their structure and the support offered by the teachers and teaching assistants at KTH make the learning experience much more manageable and enjoyable.
How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?
While my previous studies at the University of Twente were 'gezellig' (Dutch for pleasant), I found studies at KTH much more supportive. Navigating my first year at KTH was much easier with an amazing set of professors always being ready to hop on a Zoom call to explain further some complex topics (thank you, Vald Vlassov!), or the staff being prompt and helpful with their email responses regarding any administrative questions. Until coming to KTH, I thought the study-life balance was just a myth, but the academic workload is so well balanced throughout study periods that it offers enough time to practice my hobbies and relax.
How is student life in Stockholm?
Despite Stockholm being an old city, it is filled with a vibrant community of young people from all around the world. From the very start of my student journey at KTH, I was welcomed to join the THS student union and connect with other students through different social activities, from practising team sports together to having extravagant banquets. There are a lot of things to do in Stockholm; whether you prefer a cultural night at the Royal Swedish Opera or joining a hiking trip just outside the city, you can always find something to do without breaking your budget, as most of them offer great student discounts. Another major topic in students' lives is student housing. While I was fortunate enough to be offered housing for the first year from KTH, I also queued on SSSB and joined THS to look for better student accommodations continuously. I’m currently living in a shared corridor room near the city centre and KTH Main Campus. I can only dream of being a student in Stockholm forever, for the perks of affordable and well-situated accommodation with friendly neighbours.
What do you want to do after graduating?
My intention is to develop further as a distributed systems engineer, possibly focusing on site reliability engineering. I plan to continue my learning journey in the industry while considering opportunities in Scandinavia, returning to the Netherlands, or searching for new challenges in the UK or Switzerland. KTH has prepared me well for wherever I decide to go.