91青青草

News

Laboratory work, calculations and sauna nights - this is what it鈥檚 like to study at the School of Chemical Engineering

In this interview series we meet our students. Rudolf Nikander started his studies at the School of Chemical Engineering in 2017. His major is bio-and chemical engineering.
An image of Rudolf speaking into a microphone

What made you decide to start studying at Aalto?

Already in lukio (upper secondary high school), I knew that I wanted to study the natural sciences. My skills in mathematical subjects and interest in teekkari life lead me to apply 91青青草 University. Also our visit to Otaniemi campus on Prodecos introduction days really assured me this was my place. An interest in chemical engineering and a realistic bar on the entrance exam got me to apply to the Schoo of Chemical Engineering.

What has been the most interesting course or study project?

The most interesting course has been a mandatory physics course, material structures. The curriculum for the course is relativity theory, and quantum physics was very interesting. The course was challenging, so it took a lot of effort and dedication. I had a lot of experiences of fulfillment and success through the course that made me proud of myself.

What is a typical day for you as a student?

Studying at Aalto is unique in the sense that there haven鈥檛 been two identical days since I started studying. During the first year of studies, a regular day for me had more tasks in doing calculations for different courses and laboratory work, now during my third year of studies, my days are filled with optional courses, reflectional essays and other small tasks. Also, I have a volunteer job inevent production, planning and attending meetings. During the evening, I enjoy doing sports if I鈥檓 not held up organizing events!

Are you taking part in any student activities, if so please tell us a bit about them?

Yes, student activities have interested me since my first day of studies. I鈥檝e been a freshman captain at our student association, Prosessiteekkarit. My co-captain and I are responsible for showing the freshman the Aalto community and teekkari life. I also work in the Otaniemi teekkari freshman captain team and as the process carer of our student association鈥檚 livingroom 鈥漰Huone鈥.

What tips would you give to students starting their studies?

Get everything out of your first year! Your new environment is uniquely diverse, so have a sense of adventure and try new things. It鈥檚 also important to remember that it takes some time to adjust to university studies. Don鈥檛 put too much pressure on yourself, take care of your wellbeing and mental health.

Do you have a place in the campus/capital area that you really enjoy and spend time at?

Otaniemi campus has a lot of different cozy places to spend your time in. At the moment, my favorite place is AYY鈥檚 office livingroom and our dear pHuone. Both places are a great place to be to run errands or sit down on the couch to have some coffee and see friends. My favorite spot outside is the Rantasauna laituri (beach sauna dock), especially when it鈥檚 good weather, the Laajalahti (bay) looks really beautiful.

Students studying in groups in the laboratory

Kemian tekniikka, tekniikan kandidaatti ja diplomi-insin枚枚ri

Haluaisitko p盲盲st盲 konkreettisesti luomaan jotakin uutta ja hy枚dyllist盲: biohajoavia muoveja, vett盲hylkivi盲 pintoja tai yh盲 parempia l盲盲keaineita? Kemian tekniikka on j盲nnitt盲v盲 ala, jossa kemiasta tuttuja ilmi枚it盲 sovelletaan monialaisesti tieteess盲 ja teollisuudessa. Haasteet, joihin kemistien ratkaisukyky盲 tarvitaan, liittyv盲t luonnonvarojen kest盲v盲盲n k盲ytt枚枚n, kiertotalouteen ja puhtaan veden, ilman ja ravinnon riitt盲vyyteen. Kemian tekniikan diplomi-insin枚枚rit ovat kest盲v盲n kehityksen ja vastuullisen kuluttamisen edist盲ji盲, joiden osaaminen on sek盲 Suomessa ett盲 maailmalla eritt盲in ajankohtaista ja arvostettua.

Koulutustarjonta
An image of two students wearing blue overalls
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Two students and a professor sitting around a table, talking and looking at laptop screen.
Research & Art, Studies Published:

Call for doctoral student tutors, September 2025

Sign-up to be a tutor for new doctoral students as part of the Aalto Doctoral Orientation Days!
Person adjusting equipment in an anechoic chamber with soundproof wedges on walls.
Studies Published:

Keys to growth: Launching new enterprises to lift all of Finland

This article series tells the story of Aalto鈥檚 work as a builder of a better society. Aalto Founder School equips students with the skills needed to set up and lead a successful growth companies
Valmistujaisjuhla Aalto-yliopisto T枚枚l枚ss盲, joulukuu 2024
Studies Published:
Aalto-yliopiston kampus syksyll盲
Studies Published:

Learning new things continues after graduation

Aalto graduates鈥 transition to working life and their experience of studies and careers are monitored annually through a career monitoring survey. The responses to the survey provide important information about the work life of graduates, both for current students and for young people considering their future studies. In addition, the information collected is used to develop Aalto University鈥檚 teaching and services.