My transition journey from Kota, Rajasthan, to the picturesque city of Turin, Italy, for a master’s degree has been an exciting and challenging experience.
Getting used to the Italian way of life was an adventure. Despite my basic understanding of the language, I found it rather challenging in everyday interactions. But this resulted in several amazing encounters when people, even though we couldn’t communicate, went above and beyond to assist me using gestures, smiles, and a great deal of patience.
Experiencing Turin’s cultural festivities was another highlight. I had a strong impression of the Italian way of life from the colourful festivities, music, street shows, and food vendors. Even though I was unable to attend the renowned Chocolate Festival, I am eager to go there soon!
Why Italy?
My decision to pursue a master’s degree in Italy was the result of extensive research and careful evaluation of a number of things besides academic standings. I considered the nation’s overall rating in the world, topic rankings, cost of living, tuition costs, way of life, climate, and people’s overall attitude. And Italy turned out to be the best location for me.
The job market in India is significantly biased towards computer science, which frequently results in less opportunities and lower starting salary for other technical disciplines like electronics. As someone who is enthusiastic about electronics, I was discouraged by this circumstance. After graduation, obtaining a steady career that provides for their families is the main objective for many middle-class students. Although some Indian electrical firms provide attractive packages, these positions are more and more focused on computer science and coding.
Italy is just one of many European nations that provide low tuition costs and scholarship opportunities, making it affordable for students to pursue higher education without taking on excessive debt.
Indian STEM Students’ Ratio In Italy Shows Gender Disparity
Factors that influenced my university choice
Although a number of universities extended offers to me, including VUT Brussels, Politecnico di Torino, University of Siena, University of Catania, and UPC Spain, I decided on Politecnico di Torino because of the its overall quality of life, academic excellence, and affordability.
Despite some difficulties along the way, my academic colleagues and classmates in Turin have largely been accommodating.
Academic standards
The change in academic standards has been one of the biggest modifications. The passing score in Italy is usually 60%, which is higher than the 33% that is needed in India. I have had to work harder and be more committed to meeting these demanding standards because the passing bar has increased. Additionally, the method of instruction is very different. The Italian educational system lays more emphasis on critical thinking, class discussions, and the practical application of information than the Indian system, which frequently prioritises academic knowledge and exams.
I have had to change the way I study now; I now take more initiative to interact with the content and take part in class discussions. Furthermore, rather than depending exclusively on final exams, Italian assessment techniques frequently incorporate ongoing evaluation through projects, presentations, and group tasks.
From India To Germany: A Masters Student’s Guide To Academics, Culture, And Personal Growth
Adapting to life abroad
Indeed, being away from home can cause homesickness; I know this because I went through it when I started living in Turin. It has been difficult mentally and emotionally to be far from family and the comfortable surroundings of home, particularly when living abroad in a place where the language and culture is different.
I have developed a few coping mechanisms to deal with these emotions. First and foremost, maintaining ties with friends and family back home through video calls helps and it serves as a constant reminder that help is always there.
It was obvious that there would be cultural shocks. I became aware of the differences in social standards and behaviours right away. In India, the importance of family and community is paramount. Despite their strong emphasis on family, Italians nevertheless value autonomy and private space.
The difference in pace of life came as another shock. In contrast to Indian cities, Turin is smaller and has a more leisurely pace. I was first surprised to learn that stores would close in the afternoon for a few hours in observance of “siesta.” In Italian culture, the idea of “dolce far niente”—the sweetness of doing nothing—is strongly ingrained, in contrast to the fast-paced and frequently chaotic lifestyle that exists in India.
Managing expenses
In Italy, especially in larger towns like Turin, lodging can make up between 70 to 80% of your monthly costs. Depending on a number of variables, including the degree of luxury, privacy, internet access, utility bill inclusion, length of the rental agreement, and proximity to important places like the university or city centre, rent can range from 200 to 700 euros per month.
I chose a shared flat near the university as a way to cut expenses. Living near the university cuts down on commuting times and expenses.
I’ve been able to limit my monthly spending under 350–750 euros, depending on the month, by carefully planning my budget.
My initial move towards lessening my financial burden was to submit scholarship applications. Securing one of the many scholarships Italy gives to overseas students can drastically reduce the tuition fee and even give extra money for living expenses.
Taking public transport is another important part of cost management. Turin has a very good public transport system, and using public transit also allows me to become more culturally immersed.
The author is pursuing Master’s in Electronics Engineering (Sub Domain: Embedded Systems) in Politecnico di Torino, Italy
