Nauvyashree
Nauvya is from Chennai, India. She is enrolled in the Interactive Media Technology master's programme at KTH. For her, Sweden has been a whirlwind so far – when she’s not exploring the city by subway to hunt for great fika, you'll find her carving up the ice rink, swimming, chilling at Borggården (the courtyard on KTH main campus) or at a Nymble event – she loves a good party!
Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?
I'm super passionate about Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality and love designing for cutting-edge technologies. I dreamed of starting my international journey by moving to a new country. Taking that leap has reassured me that I'm on the right path for my education and professional future. When I researched master's programmes worldwide, KTH had the most relevant syllabus that catered to the latest trends – KTH focuses on research on extended reality that closely aligns with my interests. KTH, being a technical university, is a hub for scientific innovation. It seemed the perfect place to experiment with the latest hardware and new design techniques.
Swedish universities stand out among other European schools, and KTH ranks highest among technical universities worldwide, making it easier for students to gain recognition and visibility. With KTH's excellent reputation and facilities at its EECS, it was the obvious choice of where I wanted to study - I'm thrilled to be here now, exploring Stockholm and diving into the Swedish lifestyle!
How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?
I was pleasantly surprised about KTH because it has more than impressive scores and rankings. The hands-on group work here helps you sharpen your teamwork, communication, and collaboration skills—a great plus point when transitioning to work life! Plus, working in diverse teams means you get to both teach and learn new concepts, balancing the varied expertise everyone brings to the table. I'm constantly inspired by my colleagues and fellow students, not just in media but across all disciplines. My philosophy is constantly pushing myself to explore new concepts and aim for proficiency. At the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, I found a community of similarly driven peers and stalwarts in research and innovation!
How is student life in Stockholm?
Stockholm is an absolute gem for students—super student-friendly and full of surprises! I've experienced temperatures below zero and saw snow for the first time here! The Mecenat student card is a lifesaver, offering fantastic shopping discounts. And let's talk about thrift stores: Stockholm thrives on them, making sustainability affordable and perfect for student budgets.
The city is buzzing with free or cheap events all year round, helping you maintain an outstanding work-life balance. Whether you're an indoor chill-out or adventurous go-getter, Stockholm has got you covered without breaking the bank. As a student, you'll find your tribe here—you must be open to exploring and putting yourself out there. Before you know it, you'll be calling Stockholm your StockHOME!
How would you describe your time at KTH so far?
Last year at KTH was a wild roller coaster ride! I started my journey in August with the International Reception, where I met many amazing people from various courses and backgrounds. I've experienced life both on campus (Teknikringen) and off campus (Lappis), both completely different experiences—but fun nonetheless.
I've made incredible friends throughout different periods and semesters, and we've shared countless dinners featuring cuisines from around the world - diving into each other's cultures through food. My favourite spot at KTH is the Middla Lab—a playground for your creative side! It's where I explore and learn more about virtual reality with the latest hardware. Next on my list is mastering 3D printing!
KTH Entre and the library are hotspots for events that help you prepare for your career, including some fascinating TEDx talks! There are also lunch lectures, seasonal events, and much more that make your life as a student in KTH so much easier. KTH is one of the six universities collaborating with the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship, meaning we can enrol in management and entrepreneurship courses to expand our curriculum. KTH's flexible enrollment system is a dream; it allows me to take classes from different streams, broadens my knowledge, and helps me pinpoint my niche interest in media and engineering. It's been a fun journey, and I'm excited about what's next!
Are there any student events/associations that you enjoy and can recommend?
Since August, I've been diving headfirst into KTH's student life! Forget FOMO; I've been embracing the best of KTH by picking the perfect associations for me. Here's the breakdown: THS Armada - this crew throws the BIGGEST career fair in Scandinavia -; THS International Reception - need a buddy from another country? This is your starter kit! (Seriously, they're fantastic!); also THS MAIN, THS International Reception, Malvina, Flavours and more! There are different types of student associations: some are open to everyone and have a specific goal and aim - Malvina KTH is the network for female and non-binary students at KTH - they have organised multiple events collaborating with companies, which helped me a lot in terms of networking and learning more about the Swedish work culture! Others are more course-specific: The Student Union has chapters called sections related to the engineering programs at KTH. For example, students from media have Sektionen för Medieteknik or Chapter for Media Technology - they host weekly themed pubs, gasques (dinners) and other fun events - they recently took me on a day trip to Vaxholm for free! So, I highly recommend talking to students from these different unions to learn more about who they are and what they do to join any of the many student unions KTH offers.
KTH has a ton of unions waiting to welcome you with open arms (and maybe even some free pizza).
What was the most helpful resource you got from KTH during your application period?
The most helpful resources for me personally were the Goin app and the "Ask a student" option by the student ambassadors of KTH. The Goin app connects you with fellow KTH newbies when you get accepted. Boom! Instant friend group. KTH Student Ambassadors & "Ask a Student": Have questions Google can't answer? These KTH ambassadors have been there, done that, and are ready to spill the tea on student life and Stockholm. My chat with an ambassador cleared up all my doubts faster than you can say "Fika break!" (That's a Swedish coffee and pastry tradition, by the way).
Pro tip: Don't forget LinkedIn! Track down KTH students and programme peeps – they might become your future study buddies or network connections!
So, if you want to know anything about Stockholm, KTH, or surviving Swedish winters, contact me! Let's make this a year to remember!