“UniBo is the 'star' of European universities...Given the chance, why shouldn’t you study at such a celebrity institution?”

Majid from Iran studies Electronic Engineering at the University of Bologna.

Majid proudly showing his bike while standing in front of the leaning tower of Pisa

My options were limited but it turned out pretty good 

I am Majid from Iran and I study at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering. Imy country, I studied Electronic Engineering and I wanted to continue my career as an engineer and to become more expert in this field. As you may already know, for Iranian citizens, pursuing a study career outside the country is not easy because of the few countries issuing visastherefore my options were narrowed to European countries. I also think that living, studying in a new country represents a stress factor and, taking all this into consideration, I decided to study Electronics and Internet of things in Italy.  

Universities in Italy are well known and this country is famous for its welcoming and chill people – this was very important for me. Moreover, UniBo is the “star” of European universities...Given the chance, why shouldn’t I study at such a celebrity institution

Bologna is a city for fun-lovers 

If you enjoy spending time out in the open and meeting new people, Bologna is the right place for you – I want to be hyperbolic and say that Bologna is a paradise for sociable fun-loving people! Of course, this is true under regular circumstances, with no coronavirus, no place can be described as heavenly during a global pandemic 

guess you could say that I am an adrenaline-junkie: outdoor activities are like oxygen for my brain. If you are an adventure-lover like meBologna is conveniently located for this type of leisure activities. Cycling, climbing and wild camping are the things I like to do in my free time and the Emilia Romagna Region (where Bologna is) offers plenty in these regards. However, when in Bologna, pay attention to your bike as it might get stolen – this is the only issue I’ve had with the city so far. 

Green lawns and trees in Villa Ghigi, Bologna

Ups and downs 

Bologna is not huge, still, it is big enough to surprise you with something new every day and it will not disappoint you. Perfect cities do not exist, and Bologna is no exception: there are drawbacks that can sometimes become annoying, such as finding accommodation. For a newcomer, finding accommodation is the hardest part.  

Drawbacks are everywhere, in every city of the world and even the best universities have their downsides. Some of Unibo's services did not meet my expectation, but all in all, if I had to go back in time, I will certainly choose this university again. It is not too expensive and has a lot of activities and provides high-quality teaching – these things are important to me.  

Quick tips 

In Bologna, you don’t need to be worried about your daily commute, since there are buses almost everywhere or if you are not lazy walking and cycling are the best options. And more importantly, you don’t need to be worried about being alone: just open the door, go to the closest piazza and you will find people to talk to.