"I have had the opportunity to develop a study case and projects in collaboration with different municipalities in almost all of my courses"
Cristina comes from Colombia. Her home university is Rosario University in Bogota, Colombia. She likes to hike, dance, read, and travel as much as she can. She studied at KTH between 2017 and 2019.
What made you choose KTH?
KTH is a well-recognised university in Europe and is highly ranked worldwide. This programme follows a multidisciplinary route that covers several topics that interested me from the beginning. Specifically, I was interested in knowing more about transportation, city networks, and governance, among other things. Stockholm embodies several successful planning practices which I wanted to learn from experience, not only as a student but also as an inhabitant of the city. Sweden is also a multicultural country that provides opportunities for students to interact with people from different nationalities and backgrounds.
What do you like most about KTH?
So far, the thing that I like the most about KTH is the contact with real-case scenarios. In almost all of my courses, I have had the opportunity to develop a case study and in some cases, even develop projects in collaboration with different municipalities in Stockholm. Also, I like that there is a strong link with the private and public sector and NGOs through the various job fairs and activities planned for students to meet with possible recruiters.
What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?
Stockholm has a great asset, namely, being close to the archipelago and nature in general, and it is great for enjoying outdoor activities. The transportation system is a complex mix of different modes, and there are trams, metros, buses, trains, and boats, among others. The city also has a great offering of cosy cafes, beautiful terraces, bars, restaurants, and hiking trails, so there are different things to do every weekend. Sweden is a very welcoming country for foreigners; people are friendly, and I love fika as an opportunity for interaction with others. Also, I enjoy how Swedes celebrate life in general, and there are several national celebrations such as "semla day", Valborg, Lucia, and Midsummer, among others. The city is also close to other European countries and Nordic countries, so travelling is easy and accessible for everyone.
What is your best memory from your time at KTH so far?
We had a party to celebrate the end of the first year on the 6th floor of the Architecture building. I helped to organise it, and it was really fun to see all of my classmates and some teachers celebrating the end of the first year. Also, I enjoy spending time at the A building, which is a very unique and special place to be.
Are there any differences between studying at KTH and your home university?
Yes, I perceive that the KTH administration has very good contact with the students and tries to help them as much as possible. Also, the university itself is a very interesting place to be; it feels alive. There are language cafes, conferences, excursions, chapter pubs, parties, job fairs, and much more.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master's studies?
KTH is a well-recognised university in Sweden and Europe, and that is an advantage to develop your professional careers further. KTH actively promotes contact with the real world, which is an important aspect to contribute to the synergy between academia and practice.
What do you see as the most significant aspects of your programme?
The most significant aspects of my programme are the mix of backgrounds and nationalities among the students. Second, some very experienced teachers guide our learning process. And third, the development of projects with different municipalities in Sweden.
Are you taking part in any student activities?
I sometimes go to the language café to practise my Swedish. Also, I am participating in a research project with Lund University and am performing observations of behaviour in the transportation systems in Stockholm.
Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?
Yes, I would love to work for a municipality in Sweden and further develop my knowledge of transportation systems. Also, I see myself working in transportation planning in the private sector for companies such as Sweco, WSP, or Atkins.