I found several universities and programmes I was interested in on the internet, and I was accepted to several of them, so I had to do further research into the universities, programmes, etc. Initially, I found the programme more interesting in Bergamo, just because it had a broader focus, not just English, but another language as well, however, Unipd was really appealing because of its history, rating and, very importantly, accessible and user-friendly website and platforms. I also really appreciated the webinars made for applicants, they not only helped in practical way but also just make you feel the big community and that the university cares about future (and, of course, current) students. The final decision was also based on the scholarship that I received, because I knew that getting it is the only way I could afford moving abroad and studying here.

The English Studies programme is an English track of a broader Italian programme “Lingue e letterature europee e americane”. If the student knows Italian well enough, they can also go to the subjects of the Italian track, as they provide a bigger variety of classes to choose from. English track though is also not at all rigid and there are only a couple of obligatory subjects that you have to take, while all the rest is up to you to choose. The course provides classes on linguistics, literature and language teaching, making sure that everyone has a little bit of each, but then also chooses the area they feel most interested in. There are also several free-credit-courses which means that you can choose the classes from any other programmes you want in any area, in any language. This flexibility makes our programme unique for every student, allowing them to create their own schedule, choose their workload and, once again, focus on the subjects they find most appealing.

I think that every applicant should analyse their strengths and weaknesses and think how they can demonstrate the first and make up for the latter. Successful CV and motivation letter should highlight why you are the perfect candidate for this programme, but in my opinion, it should be concrete and specific, showing your real experience and achievements that are relevant to your future studies. Even though it sounds banal, but that’s why you can’t use the same CV or motivation letter for different programmes – some of it can of course be the same, but you need to find unique features that make you ideal for that particular programme.

I think Italy is one of the best options for students who want to study abroad in English, because the fee is affordable and can be reduced based on your financial status or can be covered by a scholarship, and the number of English programmes is growing every year, while the quality of education is also very high. The hardest part of adjustment is bureaucracy issues, however, there are always people who can help you and give you some advice. For example, there are useful guides on Unipd website on how to fill residence permit application kit, etc. If you are coming not from EU, you might feel that the prices are higher, and it takes time to adjust to that, however, there are shops with very affordable products, and it is possible to stay on budget. Finally, of course, the accommodation issue. It is not easy to find one, especially, when you’re in your own country, not being able to come and see the place. For this matter, I can recommend the website ‘Housing Anywhere’, because they guarantee safety, and they check the landlords there. The catch is that there are additional service fees there, but I think it is worth it for when you’re coming to a completely new place to have some guarantees. Other than that, I feel like the transition doesn’t seem so hard, the people are very friendly and ready to help, the working hours of the shops and cafes are actually much more reasonable and convenient than in some European countries, and, of course, the historical places that surround you, this ‘Italian vibe’ that you feel in every city and town definitely never ceases to amaze!

I like going to city centre and meet with my friends for a coffee or a spritz:) Padua has a big variety of places to just walk around, to shop, to eat, to party, etc. It is also very convenient to travel to the towns and cities nearby, as it is affordable and easily accessible by train or by bus. I’m not a party animal myself (more of a library animal) but I know that not only closer to weekends but also every Wednesday there are lots of parties going on, so you can find a place that you’ll like. For someone like me though there are parks to sit in and enjoy, libraries to study or just to browse, museums and exhibitions.