Samantha
Samantha is from Canada. She studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia. She majored in environmental science, specialising in land, air, and water. Her studies introduced her to earth system science, renewable energy systems, and decarbonisation strategies, fueling her interest in innovative climate solutions. Her passion for environmental preservation extends to her hobbies, including hiking, kayaking, and exploring natural landscapes.
Why did you choose this master's programme at KTH?
I became interested in the Sustainable Technology master’s programme due to its interdisciplinary nature and broad applicability across many future career paths. With a background in environmental science, I found the master’s programme to be a logical next step, bridging my foundational knowledge with practical solutions. The course content offered relevant, topical sustainability concepts used in shaping today’s sustainability work globally. Additionally, I was impressed at the multidisciplinary framework applied to each course, as it encourages a well-rounded, comprehensive education that enables us as students to make well-informed decisions in our professional careers.
What are some of your favourite courses so far?
So far, my favourite course has been Environmental Management. This course allowed students to critically analyse a real company’s sustainability performance based on comparisons to international standards and best practices in sustainability communication and reporting. I appreciated the course's relevance and the practical concepts and skills it provided, which are invaluable for our future careers. A close runner-up to this would be Industrial Ecology. This course provided extremely relevant foundational knowledge on industrial ecology as a discipline, with content areas like circular economies and industrial symbiosis. Additionally, we had the unique opportunity to work with the Stockholm Royal Seaport, the largest urban development project in Sweden, which provided an inspiring and practical insight into sustainable development.
How do studies at KTH differ from your previous studies?
Studies at KTH differ from my previous studies significantly. During my bachelor's degree, the pace often felt rushed, requiring me to juggle 5-7 courses simultaneously. This left little room to deeply explore interesting concepts. In contrast, KTH's structure typically involves taking just two courses at a time, with assignments thoughtfully designed to enhance our final learning outcomes. This approach allowed me to engage deeply with the course material, resulting in a more meaningful learning experience. Additionally, the projects and assignments at KTH are closely tied to practical, industry-specific skills and concepts. Compared to my bachelor's degree, the education at KTH equips me with a more valuable skill set for future career opportunities.
What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing KTH for master’s studies?
Studying and living in Sweden is a unique opportunity that I highly recommend to anyone who has the chance. Studying sustainability at one of the top schools in a country at the forefront of sustainable transitions has been incredibly valuable, and the learning experience has exceeded all my expectations. KTH offers extensive practical learning opportunities through its partnerships with Stockholm municipality and various industry leaders, providing students with real-world insights and versatile experiences. KTH also offers a flexible educational experience, as many courses allow you to complete work on your own schedule and incorporate coursework into various schedules. Many students in the programme can balance work, family, and other commitments alongside their studies. Additionally, student life in Stockholm is vibrant, offering a fantastic environment to create lasting memories with like-minded individuals.
During your application period, what was the most useful resource that you got from KTH?
Most of the information I needed could be found on KTH’s website; however, I found the ask a KTH student feature to be a valuable addition to this. In cases where there was uncertainty around a specific topic, or if I was looking for more information on a student’s personal experience, this feature allowed me to ask all the questions I wanted answers to before selecting KTH for my educational journey.