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Antonina Strzelecka is a second-year student in the Health Technology Engineering Master’s Programme, specializing in Health Instrumentation and Wearables. She is also completing a minor in Biomedical Engineering. 

Originally from Poland, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Electronics at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki. Outside of her studies, Antonina is an avid knitter and a choir singer. 

Why did you choose the Health Technology Engineering programme?

Medical devices have always been a particular area of interest for me because of their direct impact on people’s lives. I grew up hearing stories about different patients and medical situations, as my mother is a doctor. Although I chose to pursue engineering rather than medicine, I think that exposure gave me a lasting interest in healthcare and in how technology can be used to improve people’s lives. 

When I was finishing my bachelor’s studies, many of my peers were applying É«É«À² University to continue their studies, which initially made me consider it as well. At the same time, I felt that I wanted to start specializing in a particular area within electronics. Electronics is such a broad field, and I wanted to focus my studies on something that was both technically challenging and meaningful to me. 

For me, medical devices offered a natural way to combine these two interests. I could apply my background and interest in electronics to a field where technology has a very tangible purpose and can directly benefit patients. This combination of engineering, healthcare, and real-world impact is what made the programme especially appealing to me. 

I also chose Aalto because of its strong reputation in engineering and its interdisciplinary approach. I saw it as an environment where I could deepen my technical knowledge while exploring how engineering can be applied to healthcare and medical technology.  

What has been the thing about your studies?

I think the most interesting thing about my studies has been how multidisciplinary the programme is. Besides applying my background in electrical engineering, I now actively use data science, programming, and biology, which are areas that were not really part of my bachelor’s studies. This has allowed me to see how knowledge from very different disciplines comes together when developing medical devices. 

What I have particularly enjoyed is that I often have to step outside my existing knowledge and learn something new along the way. It has made me much more comfortable with learning on the spot and admitting when I need to read up on a particular topic. I have realized that I don’t always need to be an expert in every individual field. What is more important is understanding how the different pieces fit together and being able to communicate and work across disciplines. 

So, while I may not be a master of one specific topic, I feel that I am becoming a bit of a jack of all trades. In medical technology, where engineering, data, and healthcare all meet, I think that is a valuable skill to have. 

What are your studies like in practice?

My studies involve quite a lot of reading and writing, alongside more hands-on project work. I have spent a lot of time going through textbooks and academic articles, which has given me much more experience with reading and understanding scientific papers. At first, this was quite different from what I was used to, but I have become much more comfortable with finding relevant information and learning independently. 

Another important part of the programme has been project-based work. I have worked with other students on practical projects where we developed devices or solutions that could be tested and further improved. These projects allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from my courses to more realistic problems, while also teaching me how to work as part of a team. 

I think that this combination of independent theoretical work and practical projects has been one of the most valuable parts of my studies. The projects, in particular, made the theory feel more relevant and often motivated me to go back and learn more about a topic when encountering something I didn’t understand. 

What is everyday student life at Aalto like?

I would say everyday student life at Aalto is quite comfortable and enjoyable. One of the things I appreciate most is the people around me. The students I meet during lectures and projects are generally very passionate about what they study, and that enthusiasm is a great source of motivation for me as well. 

I also enjoy the social side of campus life. Going from lectures to lunch with classmates, for example, gives a nice opportunity to take a break, talk about something other than studies, and get to know people better. There is a good balance between studying and having time to socialize. 

Another thing I really appreciate is how compact the campus is. Most of the places I need during the day are within a short distance of each other, so moving between lectures, group work and lunch is very convenient. 

How have your studies prepared you for your career?

In the future, I would like to work in the medical technology field, ideally in a medical device company where I can combine my electrical engineering background with what I have learned about healthcare and medical devices. I am also open to continuing into research and pursuing a doctorate if I find a topic I become particularly passionate about. 

My studies have prepared me for this by giving me experience in several different fields. More importantly, I have learned how to work across disciplines, learn independently, and approach problems from different perspectives. I think these skills will be valuable regardless of which direction my career takes. 

Who would you recommend this field to?

I would recommend this field to anyone who is curious, open-minded, and enjoys looking at problems from different perspectives. The programme gives you the opportunity to connect ideas from different areas and apply them to real-world problems. I think it is especially rewarding for someone who wants their work to have a practical purpose and contribute to technologies that can make a difference in people’s lives. 

What would you say to international students who are considering applying to this programme and Aalto?

I would recommend Aalto to international students who are looking for a multi-cultural and welcoming study environment. You get to study with people from all around the world while also experiencing life in Finland. For me, having friends from different backgrounds has been one of the most enjoyable parts of studying at Aalto.