Julien
Julien comes from Canada. Before coming to Sweden, he finished his bachelor's studies in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta and is now enrolled in the Railway Engineering master's program at KTH. He is determined to make transportation more efficient and democratic at home. He enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, guitar playing, travelling and trying new things.
Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?
The proper building and operation of railways is an opportunity to vastly improve transportation freedom and people's financial situation in the communities it connects. Most parts of Canada don't currently come near to reaping the full potential benefits of this technology because the infrastructure isn't there. I want to be a part of the change and give Canadians this important transportation option. Sweden has a climate and geography that are broadly similar to many parts of Canada, and it has some of the same challenges with low northern population density. This made learning from a top-notch institution in Sweden a very compelling option for me.
How is student life in Stockholm?
It seems very active socially. There are events happening all the time. I won't be surprised to see that die down now that studies have begun, but I do get the impression that student groups will stay active throughout the year. My interactions with professors so far have been pretty positive, and they have seemed eager to help.
Is there any student events/associations that you enjoy and can recommend?
As an international student, I highly recommend that you put in the extra effort required to become a true part of your THS, KTH's student union chapter. The chapters group together students in similar fields of study. If you study Railway Engineering, that means you're in T-chapter, and I'm far from disappointed. The chapter hosts many fun events that build community, including a 'pub' night every week in addition to more creative events. My first visit to the chapter hall, for example, lead to me sprinting across campus with an egg to complete a challenge. As an international student, the chapter is not as big a part of your reception as if you were Swedish. That's why it's important to take the initiative and get connected.
Have you experienced any culture shock?
At first, it was almost every day. There was never anything huge, but the little shocks do add up. The supermarkets are stocked differently, recycling is divided differently, people seem to shake hands differently, they discuss height in centimetres, and everyone kept talking to me about meatballs. Swedish people have been very welcoming though, so none of these differences have created much of a problem.
During your application period, what was the most useful resource that you got from KTH?
I really found the webinars quite useful. I recommend this one on finding a place to live: Webinar | Accommodation at KTH—and where to find it (youtube.com). The KTH International Student Blog has also been a very useful resource for me, and it covers a wide range of topics.