Don’t give up: your years at Politecnico may perhaps be the most challenging, but they will definitely also be the most beautiful of your life.
Why did you decide to enroll in Mechanical Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano? Did you have an alternative? If so, what led you to this choice?
When I had to choose what to study at university, I was very undecided between Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and Philosophy. It wasn’t an easy decision because what interested me was understanding everything deeply, as I am a very curious person. In the end, it all happened very randomly—I took the TOL exam, passed immediately, and saw it as a sign of destiny, combined with the fact that studying at a prestigious university like the Politecnico would certainly give me many opportunities both during my studies and in the job market. I specifically chose Mechanical Engineering because I think it provides a solid foundation in everything and opens the doors to various master’s degree paths.
The Mechanical Engineering programme offers students a wide range of exchange programs. Did you participate in any of these? Tell us about your experience.
Compared to many universities in Italy and around the world, Politecnico offers a very wide range of choices for international exchanges. I participated in an Erasmus+ exchange program and am currently still in Spain at the University of Cádiz. I’m very happy to have had this opportunity because I learned a new language and engaged with a new culture, a new reality, and a new way of experiencing university. I was so pleased that I decided to extend my stay here to a year (compared to the initially planned six months). Moreover, I would like to add that Politecnico’s organization, the Exchange office, and the coordinators are truly excellent—everyone is kind and ready to help you at every step of the mobility process.
How was it moving to Milan? What opportunities do you think the city offers, given that Politecnico is based there?
At first, I didn’t want to go to Milan because I was aware of the famous stereotypes about the city: it’s always foggy, there’s no sea, the city is dull, and people are cold, etc. But once I arrived here, I immediately changed my mind—I’ve always had a great experience and loved Milan right from the start because it’s a multiethnic and multicultural city. It’s a vibrant city because there’s always something to do outside of university. It’s stimulating because seeing others do so much encourages you to do the same, and even better. The thing I’ll always be grateful to Milan for is that it helped me understand that every day you must strive to be better.
Do you have any advice for future students?
Don’t give up: your years at Politecnico may perhaps be the most challenging, but they will definitely also be the most beautiful of your life. Be aware that you will have to study a lot, be willing to make great sacrifices, and be good at staying organised and focused. Don’t be discouraged if you fail an exam; instead, see this setback as a lesson to be better prepared the next time. I believe it’s essential to learn every day without getting discouraged because these sacrifices will definitely be rewarded.