Why I Chose Italy for My Master's Degree

With its captivating history and culture, legendary cuisine, and picture-perfect landscapes, Italy has become a magnet for international students from around the world.

Letizia, from Bafoussam in Cameroon, is a second-year international master's student at the University of Bologna, which is considered one of the oldest universities in the world.

We spoke with Letizia to learn about her study abroad experience so far, and what makes Italy, and Bologna in particular, such a special place to study.

I wanted to broaden my academic horizons and boost my career prospects

Letizia wanted to study a degree that would broaden her academic horizons and help improve her career prospects.

She was first drawn to Italy for many reasons, including its outstanding academic reputation. In the 2021 QS World University Rankings®, the country had 36 universities listed, 11 of them in the global top 500. The University of Bologna ranked second in Italy.

Letizia also learned that Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships for international students and for Italian students living abroad (IRE). She felt it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

In August 2015, Letizia moved to Italy and graduated three years later, in 2018, with a bachelor's degree in communication sciences. She then set her sights on the University of Bologna, hoping to take her education one step further.

Letizia wanted a master's degree that would be a natural continuation of her bachelor's studies while also helping her become "career-ready." She decided that the English-taught master's in Digital Humanities and Digital Knowledge (DHDK) was the "best option."

Looking back on her studies so far, Letizia says that "all of my expectations have been met."

"The University of Bologna is very well organized and well equipped for continuing education. I'm also very satisfied with my degree because it has taught me a lot and is highly valued by employers.

"I particularly enjoyed all the computer science courses, such as programming, web development, usability and user experience, as well as the courses on the creation, preservation, and management of cultural knowledge," she added.

Looking ahead to her graduation in July 2021, Letizia already has plans in mind. One is to find a job in web and mobile app development as well as UX design, fields she is currently researching for her thesis. Another is to continue on to a PhD.

For now, Letizia is doing a remote internship at Proceedit, a company that specializes in business process automation. After that, she will spend three months in Barcelona as part of the same company's Erasmus internship program.

Her ultimate goal is to use the knowledge, skills, and experience she gained while studying at the University of Bologna to give back to her home country, Cameroon.

I wanted to broaden my global outlook and cultural background

Studying abroad exposes you to different cultures, while also allowing you to meet new people and experience new traditions and customs, and that is exactly what attracted Letizia.

"We all need to step outside our comfort zones and learn more about others," she said.

Leaving her hometown and her extended family to move alone to a new country was never going to be an easy decision, but fortunately Letizia's brother was already living and studying in Italy, which made her feel more confident about taking such a big step.

When Letizia first arrived in Bologna, her initial worries quickly proved unnecessary. She recalls thinking of Bologna as a city where old and new meet, with locals who are warm, welcoming, and always willing to help.

The university has been the same, with a vibrant and energetic student community that has made a huge difference.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, free time was something Letizia liked to make the most of, including sightseeing, going to restaurants, and relaxing in local parks.

What about the language barrier?

Don't worry, says Letizia. "In my experience, many Italians speak English very well, especially since it is such a tourism-focused country."

Letizia has even been able to pick up some Italian during her time in the city. She told us, "That has helped me a lot in making friends and talking with my flatmates and classmates."

So, should you follow in her footsteps and apply to study in Italy?

Letizia says, "I would definitely recommend it. Go for it, you won't regret it."