Student blogs

It’s that time of year! Admission results have come out, and students are making their decisions about which program to choose. I was in that same place a year ago, so I can empathize with the overwhelming nature of this time. So, I thought it would be a good time to compile four testimonials from current TPP students and their answers to some FAQs! 

The questions asked to the TPP students:

1. What’s your favourite TPP course so far? 

2. What’s your experience on the work-life balance?

3. What are some things you would’ve liked to know coming into the course that you know now?  

4. What are you looking forward to within the TPP course? 

5. What’s your favourite place to study on campus? 

6. What would you recommend to new incoming TPP students?

Their answers:

Miguel, 27 years old, from Colombia 

1. I think I have learned very useful things from all the courses and each has had their own thing that I’ve liked. I liked the course on Integrated Physiology and Pharmacology because it helped me to review topics from my bachelor but also to learn the new advances in the different fields. I also liked the course in Bioinformatics because it was very interactive and taught us tools that are important for research. 

2. I think the program is well balanced and allows me to have time to study but also to have free time. Many times I have time to share with my friends, cooking, or playing music. 

3. I think I would like to know a bit more about the study balance, so I wouldn’t have stressed about not having enough time to study. I would also have liked to know about the many different research groups that are in the university. Sometimes you worry about not finding a lab of your interest but the research at KI is very diverse and it will be very likely that you will. 

4. I am very excited to start the experimental courses to get more laboratory practical knowledge and also for the elective courses which look fun and align with my research interests. 

5. I like to study at the library, there are different types of spots to study there according to what you like, like chairs, couches, and so on. 

6. I would recommend for incoming students to arrive with curiosity. Here they will find an academic environment that they should take advantage of, by asking questions and challenging themselves on how what is learned could be applied in their research interests.

Qi, 22 years old , from China 

1. Integrated Physiology and Pharmacology because this course has a nice introduction to different systems which can help us find the research area we’re interested in.

2. During weekends, you generally have a lot of free time (most of the time). This allows me to hang out with friends, do sightseeing in Stockholm and do some sports. 

3. I’ve learnt a lot of things that I wasn’t exposed to during my bachelor’s program.

4.  ⁠To gain enough knowledge and practical experience to pave the path for pursuing a PhD position.

5. The KI Solna library.

6. Talk with different people, enjoy fika, try to participate in the activities held by different student organizations (they’re super fun!) and be ready to learn more.

Lesley, 24 years old, from Poland & Scotland 

1. Bioinformatics, because of the lecture and practical components. The lecturers were also great. 

2. Definitely an important thing for life at Karolinska. The way the programme is set up you can definitively have a general good work life balance. You usually have fewer classes when a deadline is coming up and depending on the course, some self-study time is incorporated into the schedule. 

3. Keep in mind that if your undergraduate university was strict or rigorous, that will likely not be the case for how you study at Karolinska. Try to adjust your expectations and approach accordingly and try to enjoy the free time for other things than just studying. You have plenty of time for deadlines and they are a lot more relaxed here. 

4. The opportunity to work in campus labs, project work etc. Professors are encouraging when it comes to reaching out for opportunities and networking. 

5. The Solna library individual desks with little dividers.

6. It is up to you how much you get out of this programme. Show up to class even if it’s not mandatory, go to the free guest lectures, email professors that do interesting research, get involved in voicing student feedback. Just try your best and everything will fall into place. 

Aliki, 27 years old, from Greece 

1. Μy favourite course so far would be the first one : Integrated Physiology and Pharmacology, because it gave us a nice overview of each system in the human body. This helped me have a better understanding overall. 

2. So far, work life balance is really good. There would be times where I would feel that I have to study more of course. But there are also plenty of days when I have all the time needed for my hobbies.

3. Coming to this course I thought I would have more pharmacology related subjects. Even though it is mentioned in the title, sometimes I can barely see any pharmacology in the courses.

4. I am looking forward to the research projects. I would really like to work again in a lab and get even more experience. 

5. When I have to study, I go to the KI Solna Library just because the atmosphere is one that makes you study. 

6. Be open-minded. This master program is so diverse. Both the students within the program and the research fields you are introduced to are so different. And you can learn so many different things from them. It’s a great opportunity and you never know how useful this knowledge can end up being.

I hope these four testimonials provide you some more clarity on the programme, and help you make the difficult decision of choosing your master’s programme!