Nathaniel Fried
Everyone says the best period of your life is the period when you’re a student, and that isn’t far from the truth. Even though we all feel like that period is hard, compared to the rest of your life it’s magnificent. What’s a better way of making that time of your life even better, than studying in Italy? It’s a beautiful city with a ton of opportunities waiting for you to tackle them! However, it’s not as easy as taking your passport, packing some clothes and hitting the road. There are plenty of things for you to think about and take care of before your journey can begin, and this guide is going to help you with all of that.
Where should I study?
Choosing the right city and university is crucial for your studies. Every one of those has certain advantages, as well as certain flaws (which are quite subjective, by the way). That’s why it’s important for you to take a good look and opt for the one that’s going to suit you the most. Among all the universities out there, Politecnico di Milano, Universita di Bologna and RM Milano are currently the most popular with international students.
Politecnico di Milano is ranked extremely well in the world, just like the well-known Princeton University, Universita di Bologna represents one of the universities with the longest history, while RM Istituto Moda e Design is the new school on the horizon, offering high-quality in master courses in design, fashion and advertising, all taught by an impressive lineup of lecturers.
Which subject should I take?
In cases you’re into science, physics and astronomy definitely represents a field you should go for. You should always chase your dreams, no matter how hard your career path might in the beginning. Finally, one of the programs that are lately becoming more and more popular is Medicine. Some universities even offer a European MD (Medical Doctor) degree that allows you to perfect your knowledge anywhere in Europe.
If you’ve got an eye for the right things, then photography might just be your cup of tea. “The principal objectives of our school are to encourage budding international students to broaden their education with a top-level photography masters in Milan and provide them with a solid base for their future careers in this exciting field,” underlines the director of RM Istituto, Pasquale Volpe. Today, photography is no longer merely a craftsman trade, so contemporary curriculums as the one offered by RM are tailored to provide a comprehensive knowledge that will help students develop a rock-solid skillset.
What should I know about applying to a University?
Some of the things you need to know are types of enrollment. Regarding Italy, the first one regards the undergraduate degree. Second one is the master degree, and the last one is PhD, or some of its equivalents. Regarding the applications themselves, it depends. If you’re from the European Union, then all you have to do is to apply directly to the University, and they’ll treat you the same way as they would treat Italian students. You don’t need a visa in this case, but you’ll have to complete a stay card.
Otherwise, you’ll have to apply by contacting the Italian Embassy in your country (or the Consulate). Also, since you’ll be staying in Italy for more than 90 days, you’ll need a study visa. Lastly, but definitely not the least, you’ll need to translate your documents. Not only that you have to translate your documents to Italian, but you also have to have them certified by someone who’s authorized for such action.
What about my accommodation?
Are you willing to spare some time looking for the place that’s going to suit all your needs, while paying somewhere from 300 up to more than a 1000 euros per month? If so, you’ll have yourself private accommodation to enjoy all by yourself. However, the most common option people opt for is shared student housing. Not only that the prices are lower, ranging from 250 to 700 euros per month, but the process itself is way simpler.
Is it all going to be worth it?
In short, absolutely yes. Rest assured that you won’t be spending months and years gaining knowledge and experience which you won’t be able to turn into a solid career afterward. Keep your Italian and English at a near-native level and make sure to acquire every skill you can during your studies, and you won’t have trouble finding your dream job.
