Hej everyone! We digital ambassadors are excited to share our unique experiences as KTH students. Coming from diverse backgrounds, we each offer a distinct perspective on student life here. Let us – Alex, Annysia, Regina, Ruban, and Sai – take you on a journey through the many facets of studying at KTH. Dive in to discover our stories and insights!
Quick Links:
- Student Life and Community (Ruban)
- Academics at KTH (Sai)
- Career Preparation (Alex)
- Cultural Exchange (Reggie)
- Global Perspective (Annysia)
Ruban: The Embracing Community at KTH
Why I Chose KTH: A Leap of Faith into Innovation—Sweden’s reputation for innovation and sustainability has always fascinated me. From the moment I stepped foot on the KTH campus, I was captivated by its vibrant energy and commitment to academic excellence. The inspiring environment and the opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals from around the world pushed me to strive for excellence. With a great community of international personalities who shared the same drive to bring about a positive and sustainable change in the world, studying at KTH was the best decision.
The Embracing Community at KTH: One of the most pleasant surprises at KTH has been the incredible sense of community. My fellow students and seniors welcomed and supported me from the very beginning. The buddy system, where older students mentor newcomers, has been invaluable in helping me navigate the complexities of university life.
The student accommodations are not just places to sleep; they are vibrant hubs of social activity. Residents organise movie nights, game nights, cultural events, and even study nights, creating a strong sense of belonging. It is heartwarming to see how people from different backgrounds form lasting friendships.
KTH also offers a plethora of clubs and organisations catering to various interests. Whether you’re passionate about sports, music, or social justice, you will find a community that resonates with you. These clubs provide opportunities to connect with others, learn new skills, and contribute to the broader KTH community.
Sai: Academics at KTH
Academics at KTH are among the many reasons I chose to study here. Ranked 74th among over 1,500 universities worldwide in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, KTH offers an education that reflects this high standing. Currently, in my second year of a master’s in Communication Systems, I remember how I was struck by the academic style at KTH compared to my home university in India. It took some time to adjust, but looking back, this approach has made learning effective and enjoyable.
If I were to sum up academics at KTH in three words, they’d be: Collaborative, Challenge-Driven, and Practical.
Collaborative: KTH emphasises teamwork. Nearly every course includes group assignments or projects, which means I work alongside peers from various backgrounds, each bringing unique expertise to the table. For example, I’m collaborating with a team of four in the Communication System Design course, all from different countries and fields, enriching our project and my learning.
Challenge-Driven: Assignments at KTH often mirror real-world scenarios. One memorable project from my Building Networked Systems Security course involved designing a secure network for a mock company. Each team approached the problem differently, presenting and implementing solutions as a real network security engineer might. This kind of assignment pushes us to think critically and tackle challenges head-on.
Practical: Learning here goes beyond books and lectures. Most courses at KTH prioritise hands-on experience, allowing us to apply concepts in practical settings. One example I can share is from the Ethical Hacking course I took. This course had a fun, practical way of learning the subject: hacking into a virtual network to find hidden items, just like a treasure hunt! This style keeps things engaging and helps build a deeper, more intuitive understanding of the subject.
Alex: Career Growth as an Interactive Media Technology Student
Why I Chose KTH: My Path to Career Growth as an Interactive Media Technology Student – Two years ago, I started considering KTH during an exchange semester in Stockholm at the end of my Bachelor’s degree. That time helped me realise my passion for mobile app design and development and one new for creating digital experiences that improve user engagement and quality. Fast forward to today, with more than two and a half years of experience as an iOS software engineer, I knew I needed a master’s programme to explore these areas creatively and fit with my full-time job. So, KTH’s MSc in Interactive Media Technology was precisely what I was looking for.
The Value of KTH for My Career Objectives: As a new student here, one of the things I appreciate most about KTH and Interactive Media Technology is the programme’s practical, real-world focus and the flexibility to choose what is most important for me to centre on. The courses I’ve taken so far—and the ones I’m planning to take—are all tailored to support my ambitions in the mobile development industry, open up new paths in UI/UX design, and deepen my understanding of how to craft interaction designs: areas I have always been excited to dive into but never knew how to. For one project, my team and I were free to address a real-world issue we discovered through user interviews, using methods that mirror industry standards. The project felt like a bridge between my professional life and my studies here, letting me connect theory and practice meaningfully. The familiar tools and methods were a natural extension of my work experience, but the project’s new challenges pushed me to think creatively.
Building Skills and Connections: Beyond the coursework, KTH also offered me a strong community and a wealth of professional connections. From peers interested in the same areas to guest speakers from leading companies and industry networking events, I create unique opportunities to learn from professionals who inspire me to aim higher.
Reggie: Cultural Exchange at KTH
Aside from the idea of studying in a vibrant city in Europe, making international friends and learning about each other’s culture was a colourful aspect I was looking forward to when I decided to move to Stockholm and study in KTH last autumn. Coming from a university in my hometown, I never really had the opportunity to participate in intercultural activities as much as I would’ve liked. So, this was an aspect that I was looking forward to. And in all KTH manner, it did not disappoint. Local chapters receive you from day one into a charming international student-led community. Thanks to THS and their international reception, I felt at home quickly. Their events and community opened the doors to new friendships and experiences, from getting to know Stockholm in a quest across town to a laser-tag afternoon filled with competition.
What was more impressive was the number of international students. In my master’s programme, we are the majority, which came as a shock to me. Through welcome events and classes, I quickly surrounded myself with people from all over the world. Trying to understand Portuguese, remembering the few German words learned in Duolingo, and trying Italian cuisine with a homemade risotto made by a friend has been super fun. And it doesn’t stop there; I shared some Mexican culture with my friends on Independence Day: homemade pozole soup, tortillas and lively music. It was a wonderful afternoon that allowed me to share my heritage. Learning other peoples’ cultures is incredible, but being able to share yours as well is a privilege and a beautiful experience that makes you appreciate your home even more, even from far away.
Annysia: A Chance to See What the World has to Offer
If someone wanted to choose KTH, I would tell them that, in my experience, the best part so far has been the global perspectives I wouldn’t have the chance to get from back home.
First, I get to meet people from leading international companies to startups, see what they’re working on, and how I can learn from it or even apply for opportunities at those companies. When I went to a career fair, I was surprised by the companies I saw from the banking sector, consultancy, energy, and many more niches! I discovered companies and projects I wouldn’t have had the chance to hear about, and it was also an excellent opportunity to find out where I wanted to lead my career.
Second, in academics, I do group work with people from all kinds of backgrounds, which helps broaden my perspective and sense of teamwork.
Lastly, not only the people I work with but also the work we do is highly technical and enriching! At first, I was confused about how studying and group work were done. Still, now that I’m accustomed to it, it’s great to see how our challenging work relates to real-world environments and solutions companies utilise in their products.
While you may have chosen KTH for the course, the location, or the sights, I continue to choose KTH because it gives you opportunities to grow through the many experiences you get here—whether that is through events, school work, or the people you work with!
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!