Having lived in the same town for my entire life, I was eager to have an experience abroad. After graduating my Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences at the University of Ottawa, I became very interested in circular economy, a concept which is not as developed in Canada. As I searched for a Master’s in this field, the Master’s in Sustainable Chemistry & Circular Economy offered by the University of Padova seemed like a great option, especially considering its good reputation in scientific disciplines, and the Master’s focus on the scientific aspects of the circular economy, which is essentially what I was searching for.

In order to cover all areas in which the circular economy is involved in, the programme includes courses which are taught by professors of different faculties, such as chemistry, physics, law, economics, etc. This is something to appreciate as it allows to gain expertise in a variety of fields, as circular economy doesn’t only decrease environmental impacts, but it is also a socio-economic business model. This being said, while the courses are all theoretical, they cover aspects both upstream and downstream of the circular economy, allowing for global overview of the field. The programme must be completed with an internship which allows to gain experience in the field, whether it be in research or more practical lab experience.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to dissect the topic of circular economy on such different levels, from the chemistry behind recycling, to the collection of different types of waste, to economic, legal, and even psychological points of view. Further, considering that this is an International Study Programme, I got to study with people from all over the world. This allowed me to learn about sustainability practices in their respective countries, which was especially facilitated by the large number of group projects throughout the programme.

Given the scientific nature of the programme, an appropriate scientific background is not only required, but encouraged as this ensure that students have the proper base to undertake this programme. Further, a certain level of English (B2) is required and will be especially useful when learning about complex, scientific topics. Given that it’s normal not to have many work experiences after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, it would be important to mention any shaping experiences that demonstrate independence, and the motivation and ability to move abroad and start a life as an international student. Lastly, gathering all required documentation ahead of time is recommended as obtaining these can be time-demanding.

I will be starting an internship in the field of chemical textile recycling.

Although it might seem intimidating, studying in Italy is an extremely rewarding life experience especially given the amazing culture, food, architecture, and friendy people that you’ll meet. So, I guess I’d say not to let fear stop you from trying this out!
If you choose to embark on this adventure, I’d recommend learning a bit of Italian prior to coming as this can make it much easier to make connections with Italians either in your course, or in general. However, there are many events for international students which make it easy to meet friends from all over. From an academic standpoint, although school can be demanding, there are always several opportunities to take exams which was something I wasn’t used to. Other advice that I’d give is to start the apartment search in advance as this can be challenging, but not to get too discouraged since there are always some options at the end of the day. Finally, although life is not particularly expensive in Padova, I would recommend saving some money in order to truly make the most of your experience, especially if travelling around is something you’re interested in.

The city of Padova has exceeded my expectations on so many levels. Coming from a larger, fast-paced city in Canada, this city gave me exactly what I needed to live an authentic Italian lifestyle during my time here. It has something for everyone, no matter your interests: amazing restaurants, award-winning gelato, a nice bar scene where the Spritz are the cheapest in Italy, beautiful gardens and nature, historic museums, fun music festivals and dj sets, it’s got it all. And, if you feel like exploring outside of the city, Padova is perfectly located for trips to other famous cities like Venice, Bologna, Florence, Milan, etc. There’s also 2 nearby airports, giving even more opportunity to travel. In terms of getting around, it’s very walkable city, filled with cobblestone streets and bike lanes if you prefer getting around a bit quicker. The student area (Portello) is always full of life, especially on Wednesday nights, which is a great opportunity to meet people. Overall, Padova has delicious food, is full of culture, has a vibrant student life and has warm people that make you feel at home – these are all reasons to choose Padova as a city to study abroad.