"KTH offers you many opportunities such as career fairs, language cafes where you can train your language skills, and lectures about the most varied"
Cecilia comes from Rome, Italy. Her home university is Sapienza University of Rome. She likes travelling, trying different cuisines, baking, and reading!
What made you choose KTH, Stockholm and Sweden?
First, the programme itself is what made me choose this university. In fact, it is a unique programme where you can both specialise in one of four different tracks and increase your knowledge of the other tracks, as well as of other subjects. This is due to the freedom each student has to choose their track and other courses that suit them the best. Furthermore, KTH is among the highest-ranked technical schools in Europe and around the world. As a matter of fact, it is known everywhere as one of the most prestigious universities. In addition to this, its great interest in scientific research is also well known.
Finally, KTH’s good relationships with modern and relevant companies and firms played a relevant role in my choice because this will help me in shaping my future career.
My first time in Sweden and Stockholm was the summer of 2015. That summer I fell in love with the country, but especially the city. Stockholm is a capital city, but still a place where you can live calmly and enjoy the little things. As a capital city, you can find whatever you need whenever you want, not just things but also nature, museums, and entertainment.
Stockholm is an awesome cosmopolitan city, and most people are welcoming and helpful. There are people from all over the world, so you can meet someone from the opposite side of the world, try ethnic restaurants, and share cultures!
What do you like most about KTH?
I like that KTH is not only a university, but also a lifestyle. Though you might have only one lecture in a day, you will spend your entire day at KTH. You will study for your courses, have “fika” with some friends, enjoy a lunch at the student house, work on real-world projects with teammates, and the like. Being a student at KTH to me means fully living the student life, working hard, and especially enjoying your time here.
Finally, I like that KTH offers you many opportunities such as career fairs, language cafes where you can train your language skills in different languages, lunch seminars, and lectures about the most varied topics.
What are your impressions of Stockholm and Sweden?
I have not been out of Stockholm yet - as there is much to see and to do within the city - but I am planning to explore the rest of Sweden this year. I love how everything changes throughout the year, from the summer brightness to the white winter. Maybe my opinion is unpopular, but the city is fascinating when everything is covered in white and the Baltic is frozen. Somehow you can feel warm though it is −10 outside! This is Stockholm’s magic.
I love how Stockholm balances history, modernity, nature, and human life. It is both the Capital of Scandinavia and one of the most people-friendly cities in the world.
Finally, the typical Swedish slow-paced lifestyle allows you to have quality time both at work and during your spare time.
What is your best memory from your time at KTH so far?
The welcoming concert at the City Hall where the Nobel Prize ceremony is held. The speeches were outstanding, and everything was enchanting. But also the fireworks night and the concert. It was amazing to see how many people were there to enjoy the night. You could really feel how KTH is an important and loved institute not only by its students, but also by Stockholm’s people.
Are there any differences between studying at KTH and your home university?
Absolutely yes! My home university was mainly focused on theoretical learning, and the courses’ results were only based on your written exams. Here at KTH practical learning – such as assignments and projects – is fundamental. I love this because it helps you understand the kinds of problems that often arise in industry. Obviously theoretical learning is also important, and at KTH there are still written exams in addition to the project work.
A final difference is that at KTH you can also expand your knowledge beyond the scientific; for example, you can take a language course or a philosophy course.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master’s studies?
Do it! This is something you will not regret. KTH is challenging, and sometimes you can feel overloaded with work, but still it is a wonderful experience. I would choose KTH again and again. You will learn a lot, take part in many events, meet new people, and shape your future.
What do you see as the most significant aspects of your programme?
The different tracks are a good way to get complete and detailed knowledge of a specific field in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Luckily, beyond the track’s courses, each student has the possibility to choose other elective courses, so you are not limited only to your track, but you can also take some courses from the other tracks. This will result in a detailed, complete, and eclectic preparation.
Are you taking part in any student activities?
During my first year I didn’t – because I met many people during my courses and spent a lot of time with them outside of school – but this year I’m planning to go to languages cafes to improve my Spanish and my Swedish.
Do you have a dream job after graduating from KTH?
I would like to work somewhere where my scientific knowledge and skills can help other people. I would like to be part of a team where all people have a different background and cooperate to develop new ideas and solutions for people who are in need, or for people in general.