Anushka
Anushka comes from Singapore, with her roots in India. Before coming to Sweden, she completed her bachelor's degree with honours in Chemical Engineering at the National University of Singapore. She enjoys singing and listening to music. She will never say no to a jam session. In her free time, she partakes in theatre, rhythmic cycling and exploring the city.
Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?
I chose this master’s programme due to the duration of study and the level of flexibility I had with the courses I could choose from. Coming from a strong technical background within chemical engineering, I wanted to explore more within pure chemistry. Coming to KTH and being able to take such chemistry courses allowed me to expand my knowledge base and my skill set in the process. Additionally, the six-month master's thesis, which can be completed within a company, was particularly appealing. It allows students to gain industrial experience and complete an internship while working on their thesis. It truly feels like the best of both worlds!
What are the best aspects of your programme?
I appreciate the abundance of group projects in this programme. Coming from a university that also works similarly to KTH in terms of group collaborations, it was easier for me to assimilate myself into the system. One major aspect of the programme that drew me in as well is a mandatory six-week group project to be completed in the second year of the master’s programme. It deals with real-life problems, where certain issues will be raised to your group, and you are essentially tasked with troubleshooting and solving said issues as efficiently as possible. It involves process engineering, cost analysis, and it allows for students to understand how the theory learnt is practically applied within the industry. Having done a similar project in my bachelor’s, it excited me knowing I would be able to get my hands on another project to do in a team setting!
How is student life in Stockholm?
Student life in Stockholm is extremely vibrant, with lots of different avenues to explore! Which is what allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things as well. I was part of a few associations within KTH over the past year. A notable association for me is the English Theatre Improv Club, where I was the producer for a theatre production based on a Swedish student theatre style called spex. Having a background in the performing arts, it was interesting putting myself in the shoes of someone backstage putting everything together for successful shows, and it was a lot of fun! Aside from that, I also really enjoy going for weekly board game nights hosted by THS MAIN to have fun with friends!
Have you experienced any culture shock?
A few culture shocks for sure! I come from the Asian sector, so I’m accustomed to a few things that work differently. The first culture shock with academia was the academic quarter system for classes. I remember being very confused on my first day coming into class 10 minutes before the stipulated time, only for me to find out that classes start 15 minutes after the hour! Another shock is the level of importance that is given to work-life balance, not just for the working layman but for students as well. There is always time to rest, and there is always time to do more things if you’d like! That level of flexibility in terms of the everyday schedule is wonderful to have. And finally, the inclusion of 5-hour examinations! They provide extra time for students within examinations to remove the stress of a time limit on the paper, which really helps to keep calm and complete the exam properly.
What do you want to do after graduating?
I am planning of entering the industry after graduating, but trying to figure out where in the industry has been a bit of a challenge! My major allows for a lot of flexibility in terms of options and opportunities open to me, so I would most probably look for a graduate trainee programme within a company and start from there! I’m interested in research and development within polymers and separation processes utilised within the industry, and I am looking for openings within either the renewable energy sector or pharmaceuticals. Sweden is a wonderful choice for both these sectors, so I’m very excited to see what comes after graduation!