Our testimonials: Vlad
Our testimonials: Vlad
Meet Vlad from Romania
Student of Cybersecurity
"I can happily say that I felt welcomed from the very moment I arrived"
About myself
My name is Vlad Ionescu and I'm a second-year Cybersecurity student at UniPD. I'm from Romania, but I have been living and studying abroad for the last 5 years, an experience which has broadened my horizons and fostered personal growth. Prior to my time in Padua, I graduated from the University of Manchester in 2022, and that had an important part in shaping my career aspirations.
During my undergraduate studies, I had the chance to work on numerous exciting and challenging projects as part of my course work, which helped me gain helpful practical skills. I also got involved in various extracurriculars, like sports clubs, becoming a student representative, and also teaching school children. My professional journey in cybersecurity began with an internship at a tech company, as part of an information security team, leading to further internships that solidified my interest in the field. However, I soon realized the need to deepen my knowledge in order to excel in cybersecurity, therefore leading me to enroll in a master's programme at UniPD.
During my first year in Padua, I decided to apply for an Erasmus placement at the Technical University of Denmark, where I am currently studying. I am also planning to complete my thesis here in the next academic semester. While I feel like my master's was one of the busiest periods I've ever had, I'm glad that I still managed to make time for other activities, such as going out, doing sports, traveling around the country and also learning Italian, of course.
What did you like the most about the Cybersecurity degree programme? Why would you suggest it to other students?
I chose to study Cybersecurity since I believe it to be a topic of increasing importance in today’s interconnected world. I warmly recommend this degree to any student that is considering a career in this field, since I believe that it provides a comprehensive introduction to it, while also giving the students the opportunity to dive deep into their preferred topics. Even if it was hard sometimes to keep up with all the work and exams, I felt like it was all worth it since I had the chance to study the subjects that really interested me. Thankfully, it wasn’t all just about work, and I also got plenty of opportunities to enjoy the student life here in Italy.
What did you like most about your time at UNIPD?
What I liked most was being part of the vibrant student community at UniPD. I enjoyed the students' friendliness and I can happily say that I felt welcomed from the very moment I arrived. Also, thanks to the large number of international and exchange students, I never felt like an outsider or like I was really away from home.
Do you have any tips to share about how to build a successful profile?
I believe that to be successful, students should start to set goals for their academic path as soon as they figure out what they are passionate about. They should try and set out their ideal career path and how they plan to achieve it. They should assess the skills they have, and what they need to achieve their goals. They should also think about how the decisions they make, such as defining their study plan or applying for internships, match their long-term goals. Additionally, networking with recruiters and going to career fairs will surely help them discover new professional opportunities.
Why did you decide to study in Padua and how have you found the experience so far?
The great academic reputation of UniPD was an important factor when it came to choose Padua, but another reason was its authentic Italian charm and the rich cultural and historical offering of the region. My overall experience has been very positive. I enjoyed everything that the city has to offer, such as the lively Portello area, where students always gather to celebrate. Another positive aspect is the city’s strategic position, as I have had the chance to visit many beautiful cities and regions surrounding it.
Have you found it easy to meet new people since starting university? How have you done this?
I was lucky enough to meet an amazing group of students in the first few days of our welcome week, with whom I have developed enduring friendships, and with whom I’m still in contact. I have spent a great deal of my time with them and enjoyed many nights out together. We have also travelled together on numerous occasions. Besides this, I also got to know and become friends with many other students in Cybersecurity, since we were quite a small cohort and we spent so much time together during all our courses.
What is the food like in Padua? What is your favourite Italian dish and why?
I thoroughly enjoyed Italian food, especially the one served around the University. I felt like there was a good variety of meals and the quality was always great. Besides these, there are plenty of other places to eat across Padua, such as amazing pizzerias or restaurants serving authentic Italian dishes. While I enjoyed all of these, my favourite were certainly the wonderful gelaterias that you can find all over the city, which I highly recommend to anyone coming to Padua. I will definitely miss Italian gelato, since I couldn’t find any other place that matches its quality.
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