Summer Schools testimonials

Un'estate all’Università di Padova: l'esperienza delle nostre Summer School

Ogni estate l'Università di Padova accoglie studentesse e studenti da tutto il mondo, provenienti da percorsi e discipline diverse: dalla psicologia alle scienze veterinarie, da medicina a lettere. Le Summer School sono un'occasione per approfondire nuovi temi, confrontarsi con persone di culture e background diversi e vivere in prima persona la città e l'Ateneo.

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Vasiliki, Greece

PhD candidate - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow

I am Vasiliki, an international PhD student from Greece, part of the Doctoral Network “SCALA” working on spatial cognition and communication, and based at CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) in Rome, affiliated with the University of Florence. This summer I took part in both weeks of the ARCA Summer School at the University of Padua, aiming to build a stronger foundation in experimental research, both in theory and in the practical skills of data analysis. The program struck a real balance, combining rich, interdisciplinary content aligned with current trends in psychological research, with lectures that always left genuine space for discussion and reflection.

Through direct immersion in data analysis, I deepened my skills in statistics and text analysis, and also engaged with machine learning, while discovering new areas I would like to incorporate into my future research, such as kinematic analysis. Theory was closely tied to practice, with hands-on activities and lab visits, giving me valuable tools and reinforcing my motivation to pursue research further. The speakers added a great deal, bringing genuine enthusiasm and staying open to discussion well beyond the lectures. Combined with Padua itself, a lively and welcoming student city, this experience was truly unforgettable!

Margaret, USA

Master’s student in Animal Welfare and Behavior and Laboratory assistant

I would love to provide feedback about what I loved and took away from this wonderful opportunity!

One of the most meaningful aspects of the iMOVES program was the opportunity to build connections with an international community of students, instructors, and professionals. Through in-depth, in-person, and hands-on experiences, our knowledgeable instructors and hosts provided us with valuable opportunities to expand our understanding beyond the classroom.

Throughout the program, we explored the interconnected relationships between animals, humans, and the environment, and examined how the roles we each play contribute to the broader One Health perspective. We collaborated, problem-solved, and developed innovative ideas for addressing complex challenges through an interdisciplinary approach.

I am incredibly thankful for the knowledge, experiences, and connections I gained through this program. This experience has strengthened my interest in One Health and inspired me to continue exploring how we can work collaboratively toward a healthier future for people, animals, and our planet.

Ebrahim, Poland/Iran

PhD candidate in Film Studies

I chose this Summer School because its interdisciplinary approach resonated strongly with my own research on desert landscapes in film. I was especially curious to see how horror studies might give me new ways of thinking about landscape and space—and it certainly did! 

I really enjoyed the multilingual lectures and the diversity of perspectives they brought to the Summer School. One of my favourite parts was getting to know the other participants and discovering what they were working on. The diverse cultural and academic backgrounds of the group made these exchanges even more enriching. Moving from one fascinating research topic to another really broadened my perspective and helped me find unexpected bridges between my own interests and those of others. I probably left Padua with more research ideas than I arrived with—which may or may not be a good thing for a PhD student!

I would warmly recommend this Summer School to anyone looking for an intellectually stimulating, friendly, and enjoyable academic experience. And Padua makes the experience even better, a lovely city full of cozy cafés and restaurants, with delicious food to enjoy after a long day of lectures and discussions!

Dalia, the Netherlands

PhD candidate in Geriatrics

As a PhD candidate and resident in Geriatrics, I was encouraged by my professor to attend the “Teaming up for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction” Summer School to broaden my perspective on the latest developments in cardiovascular medicine worldwide.

One of the greatest strengths of the Summer School was the diversity of the participants. The group included bright and ambitious students, PhD candidates from different research fields, residents, and medical specialists from various countries. This created a very inspiring environment in which everyone could learn from each other.

I especially valued the group work and the opportunity to develop and present a project together. It not only strengthened our knowledge of cardiovascular medicine, but also taught us a great deal about interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

What made the Summer School particularly special was the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the organizers. The social programme, including a visit to Venice, dinners and drinks, gave us the opportunity to really connect with participants from around the world. These connections may even develop into future collaborations throughout our careers.

Mohammad, Rome, Italy

PhD Student in Experimental and Translational Medicine

My professor recommended the “Teaming up for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction“ Summer School at the UniPD to me, and I'm very glad I followed that advice. 

The program offered a holistic view of cardiovascular diseases and was impressively well organized and managed from start to finish. What I valued most was the networking: meeting people from different backgrounds and exchanging ideas broadened my knowledge and gave me new perspectives. 

My favorite part was the "Meet the Expert" sessions, where I could engage informally with professors and doctors and explore topics in real depth. The future career sections also gave me a clearer idea of the paths I could take in the future. Overall, it was an enriching experience, both academically and personally.

Yana, Bulgaria

Gender and Conflicts in European History

Hello! My name is Yana Daskalova, and as a graduate of the MATILDA – European Master in Women’s and Gender History, it was a true privilege to take part in the Intensive Summer Programme in Padova on the topic of “Gender and Conflicts in European History”.

The summer school was an incredibly enriching experience, both culturally and academically, offering further insight into how gender history is researched, analyzed and shaped today. It was a compelling collision between past histories and present interpretations, filled with fascinating findings, presentations and discussions. From Gendered Practices in Lyon’s Silk Industry in the Nineteenth Century, through Conflicts and Consents within the Women’s Movements in Interwar Eastern Europe, to Feminist Activism in Abortion and Rape Trials in Italy and many more fascinating topics, we explored how histories, conflicts and experiences have been gendered, problematized and analyzed through interdisciplinary lenses. Each talk offered precious insights while also raising new questions about the silences and gaps that remain in history.

One of my favourite parts, alongside the engaging talks, was the excursion to the Giotto and Scrovegni Chapel, combining history, art and the opportunity to discover Padova’s cultural heritage. I am beyond grateful to all the organizers for this unforgettable and enriching experience!

Kaitlin, USA

Food safety, Public health & Animal Welfare

I initially wanted to participate in the iMOVES&FB program for the opportunity to go to Italy. But that was just the hook to get me interested in the trip. Once I learned what we would be doing, I was even more sold.

The program let me experience things that I would not have been able to if I chose another study abroad type program or went to Italy by myself. One strength I believe the online lectures had was the opportunity to bring together students, professors, and industry stakeholders from three different continents. The vast amount of knowledge shared, and the varying perspectives offered on public health, food safety, and animal welfare were remarkably interesting.

The strengths of the actual trip were the hands-on dissections and site visits. Not only were they educational, but also memorable. The site visits and the lectures combined helped me see real world public health applications that I can share and use in my job protecting the United States’s food safety. I am lucky to have had this opportunity, and I recommend this program to all public health professionals.

Vikaskumar, India/USA

Food safety, Public health & Animal Welfare

I chose to participate in the iMOVES&FB program because my research focuses on a critical food safety challenge: using UV light technologies to control foodborne pathogens. I wanted to learn how diverse scientific and international perspectives address food safety challenges. I also looked forward to sharing my research, meeting students and researchers from different backgrounds, and building connections for future collaboration.

The online lectures were a valuable introduction to the program and helped me get to know the other participants and speakers before meeting in person. I particularly enjoyed the blend of lectures, scientific discussions, and opportunities to interact with researchers from diverse backgrounds.

The program also reshaped how I see my role as a scholar and future leader. It showed me that many food safety and public health challenges cannot be addressed by a single discipline or country alone––the One Health perspective encouraged me to think more broadly about how food safety, public health, animal health, and sustainability are interconnected. Overall, the experience broadened my academic perspective, strengthened my confidence in communicating my research internationally, and reinforced the importance of building meaningful international and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Martina, Germany

Teaming up for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

I chose the Summer School at the University of Padova because of its excellent reputation, enriching programme, and strong international focus. I was excited to broaden my knowledge beyond my own field of specialisation, discover new perspectives, and connect with students from different countries and backgrounds. 

One of the greatest strengths of the Summer School was the well-organised variety of presentations and topics, combined with engaging activities and opportunities to build meaningful connections with other participants. The international atmosphere made the experience particularly inspiring and enjoyable.

My favourite, and in my opinion also the most valuable, part was the final presentation on the last day. I was honoured to present our work in the inspiring setting of Palazzo Bo, and the experience showed me what we were able to achieve as a team in such a short time. It emphasised how valuable it is to work with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures to broaden our horizons. I believe this was a very important experience for my future career.

I also particularly enjoyed the closing lunch at Caffè Pedrocchi, where the history and cultural significance of Padova became tangible. It was a wonderful way to conclude an inspiring and memorable experience.

Area Relazioni internazionali

Palazzo Anselmi
Lungargine del Piovego 1 - 35131 Padova

email: summerschool@unipd.it