Kinga Zemla -
podcast #37 of the series "Foundations"
The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:
In the next episode of the "Foundations" podcast, we move to Scandinavia - Stockholm to be exact. Our guest is Kinga Zemla, a graduate of the Cracow University of Technology, who talks about her experience studying architecture at KTH - the Royal University of Technology in Stockholm. It's a frank, substantive and very practical conversation about what architectural education is like at one of the best-rated faculties in Europe.
why KTH?
Kinga explains what made her choose Sweden:
- high level of teaching
- international environment
- no tuition fees for EU students
- Scandinavian approach to architecture and urban planning
In global rankings, KTH regularly ranks among the top European architecture universities - but, as Kinga points out, the rankings themselves are only a benchmark, not the only criterion for choosing a school.
What is it like to study architecture in Sweden?
In the podcast you will learn, among other things:
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how the study system without classical "subjects" works, based on design studies
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why there are no grades, only "pass or fail"
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what the daily work in a design studio looks like
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how studies in Sweden differ from Polish universities
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how important is research, critical thinking and speculation
student life and balance
One of the strongest threads of the conversation is the topic of study-life balance. In Sweden: no one expects to work nights, the standard is about 40 hours a week, a healthy balance is a real value, not a slogan
Kinga also talks about the atmosphere in the department, the relationship with the instructors, working in workshops, models, 3D printers and modern technical facilities at KTH.We also touch on the labor market, career opportunities and the realities of finding employment in Sweden. Kinga puts it bluntly: the prestige of the university helps, but a portfolio, determination and - often - knowledge of the Swedish language are key.
There is also the very important thread of housing. Stockholm is one of the most expensive and difficult housing markets in Europe - and a real challenge for international students.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series:
30. Maja Mawusi on her internship at Henning Larsen and her work on the Imperial Shipyard
31. Zuzanna Polak on interior architecture, intuition, travel and maturing into a profession
32 Start in the landscape architecture profession. What do studies really not teach?
33 Studying space design in the Netherlands. What is the path from dream to diploma?
34. studying architecture in Valencia. Nicholas Zajda on Erasmus, Spanish education and student life.
35 Studying architecture and urban planning in Sweden. Marcin Zebrowski's experience
36 From Spain and the Netherlands to working for Helmut Jahn. Mikolaj Zajda about internships abroad
