Melvin
Melvin comes from India. Before coming to Sweden, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from TU Delft in the Netherlands. He earned a PG Diploma in Climate Change from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. While studying climate change, he developed an interest in sustainable energy systems, which led him to pursue Nuclear Energy Engineering at KTH. Melvin enjoys reading philosophy books, running in the woods and hiking with friends whenever possible. Additionally, he loves playing video games and watching good horror movies.
Why did you choose this master’s programme at KTH?
After my bachelor's, I became quite interested in energy systems, particularly sustainable energy. I got some exposure to research projects in the realm of ocean-based renewables and biofuels. It became apparent that to meet climate goals, it is crucial to invest in sustainable energy sources. While looking into master's programmes in the sustainable energy sector, I found nuclear energy to be the most appealing. Since KTH is one of the top universities in this subject, I chose it. Additionally, the nuclear energy research at KTH focuses on innovation, prioritising technologies to reduce nuclear waste and utilise current resources in a sustainable manner. I also figured it is better to study nuclear energy in a country where it plays a major role in energy production. Knowing that KTH provides ample opportunities and support for using your ideas to build a start-up made it even easier to choose KTH.
What are the best aspects of your programme?
The master's in Nuclear Energy Engineering programme at KTH allows you to choose a direction that interests you the most. For example, it is possible to choose electives that are more physics-oriented or engineering-oriented. There is a wide array of electives, and I am allowed to select 15 credits of subjects outside the master's programme itself. This flexibility allowed me to find subjects that interest me the most, learn tools, and build skills that will help me with both my master's thesis project and eventually in the job market.
What are some of your favourite courses so far?
Some of my favourite subjects within the master’s programme include Sustainable Energy Transformation Technologies, where we study most of the current commercial technologies and perform fundamental calculations to understand the underlying scientific concepts. I enjoyed Monte Carlo Simulations and Compact Reactor Simulations, both of which go hand in hand to understand the neutronic and thermohydraulic behaviour of nuclear systems. The subject Nuclear Reactor Technology provides an overview of all existing and some emerging technologies. The project work in this subject was the most interesting part, as each group gets to choose a technology and build thermohydraulic models. We spent almost a month, with a presentation each week showing our progress, and essentially wrote a report at the end of the course. I also enjoyed the Small Modular Reactors and Gen IV Reactors courses, both taught by Prof. Janne, who is also a founder of Blykalla (Gen IV small modular reactors). It is quite interesting to learn from someone with extensive start-up and industrial knowledge. I must also mention that Prof. Torbjörn, who teaches Radiation Protection Dosimetry and Detectors. He was my favourite teacher, and his lectures were the most interesting of all.
How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?
KTH has a work-like approach to studies. I spend more time working on projects, seminars, and reports rather than studying for exams. I noticed that this approach motivates you to discuss with your peers to solve common problems and understand the subjects while working on assignments and projects. It is usually easier to get a good grade if you consistently put effort into your assignments and projects. Compared to previous universities, where most students put a lot of effort right before exams, it is less stressful and quite fun. The professors and teachers are quite friendly, and you can discuss topics and concepts as if you are talking to your peers. Many teachers spend 20-30 minutes after lectures to clarify doubts and help understand complex topics. I find it less stressful in deadlines and submissions because, despite a lot of study/workload, teachers are flexible if you do the work.
How would you describe your time at KTH so far?
There are a lot of opportunities at KTH. Despite being a master's student, I found time to participate in extracurricular activities like attending workshops and seminars. There are many activities at KTH, and depending on your interests, there is always an organization or group to join. You can find these student groups and organizations during the introduction days, so don’t miss out on the introduction weeks. Sign up for activities you find interesting, such as BBQs, pub crawls, museum visits, games in the park, etc. I am quite interested in start-ups, and KTH has a dedicated department (KTH Innovation) that organizes workshops, seminars, and meetings where you can meet student start-up teams and mentors to discuss your ideas. I had the opportunity to attend a 10-week workshop hosted by the Stockholm School of Economics and KTH, where I met like-minded people and formed teams. After several seminars and training sessions on how to formulate and validate an idea, we pitched our idea to a jury of experienced business coaches and founders. The support for innovation at KTH is incredible and comes without any catch, meaning KTH does not ask for a share in your company in exchange for their mentorship and the ecosystem they provide.
Have you experienced any culture shock?
I have lived in many places, so I did not experience a culture shock, but I think it is worth mentioning that professors here do not expect you to address them by titles or as Sir/Madam, but just by their first names. In fact, it is unusual to use titles here, which makes the whole study environment quite casual and the professors approachable. This could come as a shock to many students from conservative regions, especially Asia.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master’s studies?
I am quite happy to have chosen this master’s programme at KTH. I would recommend looking at the courses and specifics and having a rough idea of the direction you would like to take in terms of research and career so that you can choose the right courses that complement your interests and skills. KTH is located quite close to the city center, and Stockholm is beautiful, especially during spring. There are beaches, forests, and parks very close to KTH, which is something I missed in other big cities. The winters here can be very cold and dim, but with the right clothing (a good jacket and boots) and healthy habits for your physical and mental health, winter here is manageable. It is normal to have a lot of coursework during the winters, which keeps you busy and helps you avoid thinking about the weather too much. My advice would be to get involved in some group activities outside of studies to make friends and enjoy your student life here.
During your application period, what was the most useful resource that you got from KTH?
I found all the course-related information on the KTH website. There are webinars detailing what you must do for visa applications, housing, and other essentials. I got a lot of information from the "connect with a master student" meeting, and this year, you will be meeting me if you are selected to be a Nuclear Energy Engineering master student here. I received many tips and answers to my questions during this meeting when I was a new student. Topics such as housing, registration at the municipality, and opening a bank account were some of the important things that helped me ease into my life in Sweden. Hope to see you all soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch with me.