7 Reasons to Study in Italy

Italy is renowned as a European education hub, with an impressive 40 universities ranked in the 2021 QS World University Rankings.

But Italy’s academic excellence goes far beyond that. From delicious food to world-class museums to career opportunities, it is no surprise that Italy has become a top destination for students studying abroad.

We spoke with three international students at the University of Padua to find out why they chose to study in Italy and what their experience there has been like.

Experience a different way of life

Students usually decide to study in Italy because of its excellent education, but what really stands out is the country’s beautiful scenery and way of life.

Nino, an MBA student, first learned about the University of Padua at an education fair in his home country of Georgia. He then traveled to northern Italy to visit the university. During that trip, he fell in love with Italy’s beauty, history, and culture.

He said: “I thought studying in Italy would be an opportunity to explore an incredible heritage, learn a language I find very attractive, and get to know a vibrant culture that is very different from my own.”

Similarly, Don, a master’s student in astrophysics and cosmology, was first inspired to study in Italy when he attended an international workshop in Trieste in 2019.

He said: “After the workshop, I toured Italy for a short time, and I fell in love with the food, culture, scenery, and architecture.”

Don wanted to make use of the high-quality education available in Italy to prepare for his future career. He believes studying in Italy would be a great opportunity to experience different cultures and environments and broaden his horizons.

Padua itself, in the north of the country not far from Venice, is a popular destination for international students.

Nino describes Padua as a student city. He said: “There are so many ways to meet new people, learn about new cultures, make friends, and have fun.”

Excellent degree programs

Prachi’s main reason for studying in Italy was to excel in her master’s degree in biotechnology in food science and find the right career path.

Prachi praised the professors in her program, saying they were “very supportive” and always willing to discuss any problems students might have with their studies. She also found the structure of the course very practical and sometimes felt it was designed specifically for her.

“I always felt there was enough time to study the modules and prepare for exams - not just to pass, but to truly master the subjects,” she said.

Don also liked the way his master’s degree was structured, describing it as “a perfect fit” for him.

He said: “The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Padua is one of the best in the world, on par with top universities globally.

“There are many renowned scientists and researchers on the faculty, and the facilities available to students are modern and advanced. Some are even state-of-the-art and highly regarded in international research collaborations.”

Launch your career

For Prachi, studying at university in Italy played an important role in securing a new graduate position at Arla, the world’s largest organic dairy company in Denmark.

She said: “Studying at the University of Padua helped me achieve the biggest milestone of my life so far. The university and its academic support have been the backbone of this journey.”

In her first year, Prachi was selected for a program in which she had the chance to work for the Italian dairy company Brazzale with students and professors from the University of Sydney in Australia. Through ERASMUS, Prachi then spent another semester in France, where she studied market research and marketing.

Once she had settled on her direction, Prachi returned to Italy to complete her thesis on an Italian dairy company, Agriform. This industry experience helped her land a full-time internship at a food intelligence company in Belgium, where she gained new skills and strengthened her CV. She then used that experience to secure her role at Arla.

Prachi said: “It was the flexibility offered by the University of Padua that allowed me to choose different courses and programs. It helped me explore and choose the right career path.”

Study-life balance

Studying in Italy is about more than just earning a top degree and gaining valuable work experience.

“Italy is an amazing country that gives you the chance to balance studying with getting to know the culture in depth. The atmosphere is relaxed and very warm, but at the same time very lively,” Nino said.

Prachi explained that students in Italy love to study hard, go out, and enjoy the country’s culture and food.

Don agreed: “Italy’s art and architecture are magnificent. Visiting museums and theaters, or even just walking around the cities, will inspire you.”

When you are not studying, partying, or exploring museums, Nino suggests spending some time discovering your student city.

He said: “If you are someone who enjoys wandering around city streets and getting lost, that is fantastic - you discover something new every time, take photos, and enjoy the scenery around you.”

Easy to get around

With efficient trams, subways, trains, and buses running across the country, along with 77 airports, Italy is ideal for people who love to travel.

Nino says Italy’s trains are cheap, fast, and well connected, with stations often close to city centers. And if you end up in another Italian city, you will not be disappointed.

“Every region in Italy is unique, and you can discover many charming cities with authentic atmospheres and spectacular views,” Nino said.

Don agreed. He said: “Italy’s cities all have their own appeal. Major cities like Rome and Milan are full of beautiful architecture and art, while Asiago offers stunning mountains, smaller cities such as Padua, Vicenza, Parma, and Trieste hide their own gems, Verona and Florence are rich in historical landmarks, and Venice is unique for its waterways.”

Learn to speak Italian

Every student recommends learning some Italian while studying in Italy, even though it is estimated that more than half of people speak at least some English.

Prachi suggests learning Italian to better connect with local people. It will also help you understand jokes, she explained, which are often not nearly as funny in English.

Don also enjoys listening to music as a way to understand the language better. He said: “Italian sounds very musical, especially when you sing it, and the non-verbal gestures are also interesting.

“I have been learning Italian and have been listening to and singing some Italian songs.”

Delicious food

Of course, Italy is famous for its food, and countries around the world have copied its cuisine.

“For me, Italian food is one of the best in the world. Once you taste Italian pizza, pasta, and gelato, no other food tastes the same,” Don said.

During his time abroad, Don also tried cooking authentic Italian dishes.

“Cooking Italian food is also a great experience, because you can learn directly from your friends, and you have authentic Italian ingredients and recipes,” he said.

Nino agreed.

“The food experience is on another level, with so much variety in dishes, ingredients, and local products from region to region. It is all delicious.”