Our testimonials: Mert - Turkiye

About myself 

Hey there! I’m a 23-year-old Master’s student from Turkey, specializing in the Smart Manufacturing track of the Management for Sustainable Firms programme. My journey started back home with a Management degree from Bilkent University, and now I’m chasing my dream of becoming a future demand planner. I absolutely love the international atmosphere here; exploring new cultures, travelling, reading, and making unforgettable memories with friends from all over the world is what keeps me inspired every day! 

Why did you choose the University of Padua and our degree programme in Management for Sustainable Firms? How did you learn about our institution?

I chose the University of Padua because the Management for Sustainable Firms programme connects sustainability with real-world business applications. I found the university while researching the best schools in this field, and its centuries-old history really impressed me. The Smart Manufacturing track offered the exact practical approach I wanted. Also, seeing the university’s own real-world sustainability initiatives showed me that they actually practice what they teach.

The academic quality and campus facilities were major factors in my decision, along with the great networking opportunities. The university is also genuinely welcoming to international students, creating a great community. Studying in a place with such a deep academic legacy while preparing for my future career in demand planning has been a great experience.

What are the main features of your degree programme?  

The main feature of the programme is its flexibility, offering three distinct tracks to match our career goals: Smart Manufacturing, Digitalization and Product-Service Innovation, and Managing and Leading People. I chose the Smart Manufacturing track because of my interest in production and planning. However, regardless of the track, the entire programme focuses on giving us a solid understanding of how modern companies can operate sustainably in today's business world.

The learning experience here is very hands-on. Our courses are taught by professors who are experts in their fields, and the theoretical parts are always supported by real business cases and guest speakers from the industry. We also spend a lot of time on practical laboratory work, group projects, and assignments. This allows us to test what we learn in class and apply it to real-world scenarios, which is exactly the kind of preparation I need for my future career.

How is your experience going? What aspects of our university’s culture or values have resonated with you the most? 

My experience so far has been great. One of the best parts is the diverse environment; I have met students from all over the world, which gave me a great chance to learn about new cultures while also embracing the Italian lifestyle. The University of Padua is incredibly inclusive toward international students. From day one, the university provides all the support you need to feel at home, making the transition to a new country much easier.

When it comes to the university’s culture, two things resonate with me the most. First, the incredible history and deep academic legacy of the campus make you feel like you are experiencing a true university life. Second, seeing the university’s concrete sustainability initiatives first-hand gives me confidence that I am studying in the right place. Being part of an institution that genuinely cares about both its heritage and the future is a great feeling.

What advice would you give to prospective students when it comes to preparing a successful application? 

My biggest advice to prospective students is to just be yourself throughout the process. When writing your application, it is very important to explain your motivation clearly and show exactly why you want to join this programme. Admissions teams want to see your genuine interest, so trying to sound like someone else or using overly formal, robotic phrases doesn't really help.

The key to a successful application is alignment. You need to make sure this programme truly fits your career goals, and then show how your background connects with what the programme offers. When your personal goals match the university's values, everything else falls into place naturally. Just reflect your true personality, be clear about what you want to achieve, and let your authentic motivation speak for itself.

What advice would you give to students thinking of studying in Italy? How have you settled in here? 

If you are thinking about studying in Italy, get ready for a lot of pizza, pasta, and tiramisu, and prepare yourself for unforgettable nights out around Portello. Italy is a beautiful country where you can find history, culture, art, sports, and nature all mixed together. You can never really get bored here because there is always something new to discover around every corner.

Italy is a fantastic choice for international students. The people here genuinely enjoy welcoming foreigners and actively try to integrate them into their culture, which made settling in very easy for me. My biggest piece of advice for anyone planning to come here is to be ready to work on your Italian. Learning the language helps with daily life, and it allows you to truly connect with the locals and experience the authentic Italian lifestyle.

What do you like to do when you are not studying? How do you like to spend your free time? 

When I am not studying, you will usually find me hanging out with my friends around Portello, having a good chat and playing pool. On sunny days, I love going to Prato della Valle for a relaxing picnic. I am also a big football fan, so watching matches is a huge part of my free time, along with exploring new places around the city and beyond.

Besides socializing and sports, I am a curious reader and constantly read books on many different topics to expand my perspective. At the same time, of course, I spend a good amount of my spare time trying to improve my Italian. It is a great way to blend into the daily lifestyle here and make the most of my time outside the classroom.