I nostri testimonials: Shroouk - Egitto

Student of Applied Sciences in Cultural Heritage Materials and Sites

"Academically, personally and even professionally, this unique experience truly shapes your personality, and teaches you how to set your priorities" 

About myself 

Hi! My name is Shroouk Ramadan, I am an Egyptian archaeologist and Egyptologist. After graduating from Cairo university I wanted to deepen my practical knowledge, studying history for me must begin in the field! Thus, I obtained a professional diploma in Archaeological Excavation, which gave me a great opportunity to excavate in Saqqara, Egypt. On a professional level, I am a former digitization and data specialist who worked in the conservation archives at the American Research Center in Egypt. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I realized how crucial it is to scientifically understand cultural heritage materials to uncover hidden layers of history. Currently, I am a first-year student enrolled in the Master's programme in Applied Sciences in Cultural Heritage Materials and Sites. On a more personal level, I love photography and fashion, and I am fascinated by the garments and clothing of ancient societies.

      Why did you choose the University of Padua and the Applied Sciences in Cultural Heritage materials and sites degree programme? How did you learn about our institution?   

After graduating, I had a very clear plan: I wanted to study abroad. Studying in Italy was never a matter of luck, it was a clear decision made since childhood! While studying Egyptology at Cairo university, I was exposed to many historical and archaeological aspects. I was always curious about how we could apply a scientific approach and move beyond purely theoretical methods, which are often dominant in history studies. Looking back, I was a science-track student in high school, so during my BA, I was already searching for my next academic step, something that would connect the sciences with cultural heritage. I spent a long time researching all the Italian universities that offer master’s degrees in applied sciences related to cultural heritage.
The University of Padua was the only university among my long list of universities that offered a full master’s degree in Italy, in Applied sciences in Cultural Heritage materials and sites, which is entirely taught in English; then the decision was made!
It is often said that “applying for a university abroad is a daunting process”, but that was never the case when applying for my degree in UniPD. The entire process—from the initial requirements to final enrollment—was straightforward and smooth.

      What are the main features of your degree programme?   

The Applied Sciences in Cultural Heritage Materials and Sites programme provides a broad and holistic scientific approach to archaeology across various scales, which is paramount for tracking the history of the old societies with strong fundamentals. It offers a complete set of various tools and techniques to implement scientific analysis on cultural heritage materials, ranging from macro-scale investigations down to microanalysis, in other words, from geological scale studies to examining a single crystal of a mineral!
Different methods are also applied for the investigation, for instance using X-Ray, UV, Infrared, ESM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and many other advanced scientific methods. Additionally, laboratories and a wide range of instruments are facilitated during the learning process.

      Is there any class/subject that has stood out to you so far?   

The programme is perfectly structured through its diverse modules to be applicable across various aspects and scales of cultural heritage analysis, all equally important, for instance:
The Dating Laboratory course has immensely widened my precipitation of time and dating the archaeological sites and artefacts using a scientific approach, it offers different techniques and tools to assign the investigated material into the calendar age using Relative and Absolute methods.
Also, Integrated Analysis of Cultural Heritage Materials course would walk you through a series of methods to investigate the materials according to their own nature e.g. metals, organic, inorganic.
These are closely connected with the “Field laboratory” course, which provides hands-on opportunities to apply all the learned techniques using Padua’s advanced laboratories and equipment.

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

Without any exaggeration, UNIPD’s website is perfectly designed to help the students during the application process, and you will never get lost throughout the process!
It is really hard to miss a piece of information while applying for your course! All the steps are so clear, all the details for your application are provided.
I am listing below some important steps for your future application: Firstly and most importantly TIME MANAGEMENT!
Check the calendar for admission calls and try to prepare all the required documents as soon as possible, especially for the students who need visa entry to Italy.
Secondly, the motivation letter is the best way to show the admission committee who you are! It is a great opportunity to share your background, explain why you want to join your course, and outline your future goals after graduation.

      What advice would you give to students thinking of studying in Italy? How have you been settling in?   

Being an international student in Padua has significantly enhanced my way of thinking and how I perceive academia. Adapting to a new educational system was not a piece of cake! However, it strongly encouraged me to quickly adapt to new ways of learning, and processing the knowledge in innovative ways. This is exactly why I chose to study abroad!
Academically, personally and even professionally, this unique experience truly shapes your personality, and teaches you how to set your priorities.
In other words, studying abroad will fill your toolbox with essential skills for your future!

      What do you do when you’re not studying? What does the city of Padua have to offer?   

Engaging, Sociable and Fun! These are the three words I would use to describe Padua. The university’s community is highly interactive, and an immense number of events are organised for the students with a wide range of interests (education, sports, music, etc.).
I had the opportunity to participate in the “ Global Citizenship Programme” which was a great way to develop intercultural skills and also opened the door for me to make new friends from different programmes.
The city of Padua itself is so livable and charming; its very rich history makes this place so special and unique. In my free time I love strolling around the city discovering its hidden gems, also the nature around Padua is so calming, especially Euganei Hills.