My journey from India to Italy was marked by several major adjustments. The first change I noticed was the climate. Coming from Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, where the weather is generally warm and humid, I was used to high temperatures. Arriving in Turin, located in northern Italy near the Swiss and French alpine regions. The climate was noticeably cooler, especially as I arrived at the end of October.
Another unusual experience for me was the early sunset – seeing the sunset as early as 5:00 PM was surprising and took some getting used to. However, the culture shock I experienced was quite surprising. In India, I had assumed that in foreign countries, people would be out all night and that shops would stay open late, similar to what I was used to. However, in Italy, I found that most shops close by 7 PM, and on Sundays, many supermarkets are either closed or only open for half the day. This was a big adjustment for me, as the lifestyle and business hours here are much quieter in the evenings and weekends than I expected.
Why Italy?
I have always been passionate about automotive engineering, particularly in Europe. Few universities offer automotive programs in English, and Italy is renowned for its automotive industry, home to iconic supercar brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, Maserati, and superbike brands like Ducati and Aprilia, similar to Germany. Initially, my dream was to study in Germany.
However, the availability of courses aligned with my interests was limited, and the competitive requirements included a German language certification up to the B1 level. Therefore, I chose Politecnico di Torino in Turin. It offers a curriculum that perfectly matches my interests and future goals, with some coursework even in collaboration with Fiat. Turin is also the headquarters of major automotive companies, such as Fiat, Pininfarina, and Iveco, making it an ideal place to pursue my dreams in automotive engineering.
Italy education system
In my first semester, I didn’t have any Italian friends, but in the second semester, I made a few Italian friends through project work. Initially, communicating was a bit challenging, but they were very supportive and even made an effort to learn English from international students. In return, I picked up some Italian from them. They were open-minded, and some were especially friendly and helpful with my studies. It made adapting much easier and added a lot to my experience at the university.
Education system in Italy is quite different from what I was used to in India. Here, students tend to have a strong theoretical foundation, but they don’t always have as much practical knowledge as students in some German universities, for example. Since I prefer a practical approach to learning, I initially found it challenging, but I adapted after the first semester. The exam patterns were also very different from what I was familiar with in India. In Italy, exams can vary depending on the professor and the subject workload. There are oral exams, multiple choice exams, and fully written exams, each with its own requirements and format. This diversity took some getting used to, but it added variety to the learning experience.
Challenges
Italian food is ranked among the best in the world, but honestly, I initially found it difficult to adapt to the local cuisine, as it’s quite different from what I was used to. Over time, however, I’ve adjusted and now feel more comfortable with it. One great thing about Italy is the availability of spices from South Asia.
Homesickness I haven’t experienced much because I made up my mind before coming here to stay strong in such situations. Fortunately, my best friend, who was my collegemate during my bachelor’s degree, is also studying his master’s in electronics engineering here. He has been a great help in finding accommodation and assisting with the documentation process.
Being surrounded by good people really matters. The mindset of many people here can be quite different, and sometimes the age gap might contribute to differences in perspectives and interests. I’ve found that socializing more with Italians rather than just with other Indians has been really helpful. While it’s great to have Indian friends here because they make you feel at home, interacting with Italians helps you learn the language better and gain a deeper understanding of the culture and the place.
Finance
The cost of living in Italy is reasonable compared to other major cities in Europe. Italian universities and the government offer scholarships for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many students receive scholarships ranging from 6,000 to 7000 euros per year. This amount is generally sufficient to cover living expenses for the year. Besides scholarships, there are parttime job opportunities like food delivery or pet sitting, which are relatively easy to do and can provide a monthly income. However, I would recommend focusing on studies and making the most of the scholarship, as securing successive scholarships is a better strategy than working part-time and potentially neglecting academic performance.
The author recently graduated with a master’s degree in automotive engineering at Politecnico di Torino, Italy.
