Reasonable prices and free schedule: why else do you want to study in Italy

Tonya Rubtsov

She studied in graduate school in Italy.

In Italy, I studied at the graduate program of the Faculty of International Relations. I studied the Italian media: looking at how different media covered the Russian foreign policy in the last five years, and figured out what was due to a difference of opinion. When I began to study, I almost did not speak Italian. At the end of the program - to communicate fluently in the language. And with total immersion in Italian society, my dissertation was not only scientific, but lively and interesting - even for people who have no connection with politics and the media.

Why Italy

Engage in research in this country, I would like for several reasons.

Firstly, the high level of development of my subject. In Italy alive independent journalism and freedom of speech. Media coverage of events as they see fit - without trying to please the government or sing along with the chorus of Europe. However, I noticed that some of the Italian media sympathetic to Russia and its policies, while others - have criticized. I wanted to figure it out.

Second, high-quality education. Here curricula quickly respond to changes in society. Students learn really urgent things, and do not listen to every year for a long time outdated information because the ministry has not yet approved some innovations. Moreover, in addition to our usual areas of education, there are a development program for the study of design and fashion, architecture, urbanism, art, sports.

Thirdly, the country itself. In Italy, a wonderful climate, beautiful cities and nature. I've already been here to study and enjoy the sun as abnormal in December, coming from the dark Petersburg winter. Cool places are at arm's length. For example, from Milan in an hour to get to the lake, two - to the sea or the mountains. I have often amused Italians their exclamations: "How close!" It turned out that for people unaccustomed to the Russian distance of 200 kilometers - it is not very close. Strange.

Fourthly, people. Most Italians - light, cheerful and friendly, even in academic circles. Between the student and the professor is not an unbridgeable gulf. You can drink coffee with the teacher after school or meet outside the university to discuss an interesting project.

college search and admission - it's not the easiest process. It is necessary to take into account a lot of nuances that you choose the appropriate university and go through all the bureaucratic procedures. To understand all the nuances, you can go on October 20 the exhibition "Study in Italy! Studiare in Italia" in Moscow. Learn more about educational programs and communicate with representatives of Italian universities. Participation is free, you only need to register. In St. Petersburg, the exhibition is held on the day before - 19 October.

Sign up for the exhibition

What to do

I finished specialty in Russian, then studied for half a year in graduate school in St. Petersburg and then hit the Italian university. All on one specialty. But it is possible to enter the Italian university almost immediately after school and change the profession, if desired. Price of training at the same time depends on the region, the university and your family income.

Choose your curriculum

1. Undergraduate - Laurea Triennale

• duration: three years.

The first stage of higher education, it is possible to obtain after 12 years of study. In the Russian school program lasts for less, so you first need to work out a year in high school. Another option - to graduate from college and come with a college diploma. But if you want to immediately go to Italy, there are programs that are called Foundation Year - a preparatory year. They can be found in many universities, in different directions, in both Italian and English. The good news: the direction of study in this year it does not matter to enter the Masters will be any specialty.

2. Master - Laurea Magistrale

• duration: two years.

For admission to the bachelor's degree is needed. Master must be somehow related to the fact that you studied before. This step you are completing higher education.

3. Master - Master Universitario

• duration: one year.

A shorter program, which can also be done with a bachelor's degree. Usually, it is devoted to one aspect of the professional rather than the entire discipline as a whole. For example, in the Bachelor you studied management, but now want to deepen their knowledge in the field of hotel management.

4. Postgraduate studies - Dottorato di Ricerca

• duration: three years.

Last academic degree, which you can do with a master's degree or professional. The program includes the preparation of studies, scientific work and teaching practice.

Select the university and faculty

When it is determined with specialization - start to see what it offered on various universities and faculties. Price will vary depending on the part of the country to learn from the north are usually more expensive than in the south. Another factor: the state is a university or private.

Government cost less. The first installment of the study is the same for all - for example, the State University of Milan is 150 euros. The second part of the payment will pay, depending on the family income, the maximum will be approximately 3500 euros per year. At private universities, the price also depends on the family's annual income, but the price of a different order: from 5 000 to 30 000 euros, but it's the most prestigious.

Collect documents

The site of the university published a list of documents for the receipt and timing of their submission. The public need to have time until July, but private can take the whole year. Entrance exams are the exception rather than the rule. Necessarily need to be apostilled your diplomas in the Ministry of Education and translated into Italian. Even if you study English.

To enter the creative professions most likely need to perform a separate task or send portfolio. For example, I have enclosed with its publication of documents, research project and the Cambridge Certificate, as the program language was English. For studies enough to have a level of B2, and anything higher would be to your advantage.

To go to Italy for the entrance examination can be normal tourist visa. If you have passed the university sends a certificate of enrollment, and then we can make out a student visa. A full list of documents for visas for different types of programs is on the site Italy visa center in Russia. Standard package - a guarantee of solvency (5-plus million euros in the account), the housing reservations, photos, completed application form, an invitation from the university, flight tickets, insurance.

find accommodation

If you do not mind to live in a dorm and the university gives you a place - the question is removed. You will need to just take the paper that the university gives you a room, and attach to the documents for the visa.

If you need to find housing on their own, pay attention not only to apartments, but also in the private hostel. They live mostly students, and there are single rooms. It's cheaper than rent an apartment. Beyond the usual Booking Airbnb and popular site in Italy Immobiliare.it.

If you are coming just to learn, but do not pass the exams, there is another problem: to rent a house for a long time, not seeing it. I did not want to risk, and someone who can make sure that the object fits the description, was not. The Italian consulate in St. Petersburg, I was told that the reservation allowed for two weeks - it is a minimum. It is assumed that during this time the student finds himself a long-term housing in place. That's what I did just that and got a training visa without problems.

At the exhibition "Study in Italy! Studiare in Italia"There will be representatives of the Italian consulate in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Be able to communicate and ask all the questions directly. If you do not want to spend time on the preparation of the documents, you will come to the aid of the exhibition specialists. They will advise on the choice of the university, and then take over the entire organization: translation of documents, apostille, visa, finding accommodation and even a residence permit in Italy.

How is the study

Russian students are accustomed to twice a year die and resurrect on the session, and the university usually completes the entire stream at once. In Italy it's different. Students choose their most disciplines are free to decide when they are ready to take the exams. Go to retake can be many times without any sanctions. Duration of the program - it is a minimum for the university. And in fact, you can be a student for much longer. If you study and work at the same time, it will give you the opportunity to distribute their load. On the other hand - is too great a temptation to tighten everything. I have many Italian friends who do not complete the Bachelor of five to seven years. Fly from the University for academic failure in Italy is almost impossible, due to the right to extend the period of study.

But the opportunity to select items - is infinite good. You do not have to climb in the impenetrable jungle of disciplines that you consider useless for a future career. Yes, there are compulsory subjects, but as a rule, it is precisely those without which the profession does.

Teachers comfortable with the absentees and students who study and work - study visa allows you to get a part-time (20 hours per week). Most of the teachers themselves combine teaching with practical work in this field, so they can tell you a lot of useful real-life rather than textbooks.

Library in the Italian university - a great place to practice with large desks, Wi-Fi, coffee and a bunch of useful materials. Most training time I spent there.

Graduation day for everybody. And it's a great holiday! After successfully defending his graduate diploma wearing a green crown of laurel leaves and red flowers, and he goes to drink prosecco and pastries there with family and friends.

Bottom line: pros and cons

About Italian universities say that they easily enter and hard to finish. But for me personally, the preparation of documents was the most painful stage and Study - most enjoyable. I very much want to be back in an Italian university, only now on the Master program.

Walk again on the difficulties and benefits of study and life in Italy.

Minuses:

• bureaucracy;
• terrible, unbearable bureaucracy;
• expensive housing;
• the need to adapt.

Pros:

• the experience of living in another country;
• quality education and European Diploma;
• an interesting study;
• the opportunity to learn Italian or improve your English;
• delicious food and beautiful place;
• the opportunity to learn not for a million euros.