Italy prides itself as one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. The southern European country attracts millions of tourists each year who seek to explore the country’s rich and ancient history. International students have been flocking to Italy too for quite a while now. The country’s oldest university, The University of Bologna welcomed students as far back as 1088 AD. If you are considering applying to study in Italy, there are things you need to know about studying in the country.
So today, we share with you the 25 things you probably did not know about studying in Italy. This is brought to you by After School Africa, best scholarship & opportunities site for Africans. If you are new here, also consider subscribing to AfterschoolAfrica Youtube to continue exploring opportunities.
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Table of Contents
1. You need to learn some Italian
Although a large number of Italians speak a decent amount of English, knowing at least basic Italian can take you far once you arrive in the country. Italians really appreciate non-natives making an effort to speak their language. A polite per favore or buongiorno will go a long way with your local vegetable vendor.
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2. Study in Rome
The capital city of Italy, Rome is home to around 4.3 million residents. The historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sites such as the Colosseum and the Vatican. Due to its rich culture and history, Rome is perfect for foreign students and has something to offer everyone.
3. Italy is home to the Europe’s oldest university.
The University of Bologna in Italy is the oldest university in Europe founded in 1088 AD. As a matter of fact, it is the institution for which the term “university” was coined. Originally founded to promote legal studies, it has long since branched out to other disciplines.
4.    Italy offers cheap tuition fees
Your choice of institution will ultimately determine how much you pay for tuition.
Public universities are generally cheaper in Italy charging an average of €1000 per year. Private universities are more costly; charging around €6000-€20,000. International students from other European countries pay the same tuition as Italian students.
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5. Some Italian universities charge you tuition based on your parent’s income
Sounds weird right? Well it’s true. Some state universities in Italy charge you tuition fee based on what your parents earn. An example is The University of Rome Tor Vergata; based on your parents’ income, you are charged from a low minimum around €150 to a maximum of around €5,000 per year.
6. Acceptance rates vary
When choosing a university to apply for, it is important to check their acceptance rates. There are prestigious universities where you are most likely to get accepted and others where the reverse will likely be the case. Universities in Italy with high acceptance rates include; Politecnico Di Milano (90%), University of Bari Aldo Moro (90%), The American University of Rome (85%) and so many others.
7. Cost of living is moderate
How much you spend a month while studying in Italy depends on where you are studying. Rome and Milan are the two most expensive cities for an international student in Italy. Living in either of those cities will cost you between €850 and €1450 per month. Living in Florence will cost around €850-€1300 per month.
8. Scholarships are available
There are quite a number of scholarships to apply for if you need aid while studying in Italy. Some of them are fully funded while others are partially funded scholarships. The Italian Government Scholarship for International Students, Bocconi Merit and International Awards are some of them. Visit consistently this site or click the link above for list of scholarships in Italy.
9. Health Insurance is required
All internationals students from a non-EU country staying more than 90 days need to have health insurance coverage for their full stay in Italy. You can obtain the health insurance from your country of origin and present it to the police in Italy within eight days of your arrival to get a resident permit.
10. There are limitations to work-study options
International students who are non-EU nationals have certain limitations as it relates to working in Italy. They cannot work for more than 20 hours per week and cannot work fulltime during vacations.
11. You will walk often
Like most of Europe, Italy is a pedestrian-friendly country. There are not many people who drive personal cars in Italy as they will opt to walk 30 minutes across the city instead. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes that you can walk in!
12. Leave the campus if you want to mingle with students
Italian students tend to just go to their universities for classes, and that’s about it. They often live at home with their families or go back home weekends. That means that if you want to socialize with Italian students you need to take part in activities outside of the university, just as Italians do. This might mean hiking groups, drawing classes, swing dancing, whatever.
13. Buy your food in take away as often as possible
In most pubs, small restaurants and cafeterias in Italy, you will pay double the price of your food if you choose to eat or drink at a table. So, when you can simply take away, you should just do it!
14. Italian universities rank well globally
According to the Times Higher Education list of the best Universities globally for 2020, there are 27 Italian universities in the global top 500. The highest ranked Italian university is the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa which ranks 149th in the world.
15. Classes can be in Italian or English
While Italian universities offer classes either in Italian or English for international students at postgraduate levels, getting an English class for an undergraduate course is much harder.
16. Not all students are required to present TOEFL
If you apply for a degree taught in English, you will be required to provide proof of English language proficiency. This could be in form of certificates like TOEFL and IELTS. Postgraduate students whose previous degree was taught in English are exempt from this.
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17. Italians are very welcoming
Italians are known to be welcoming, open people. You will make local friends quickly. And they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality, healthy foods are fundamental to la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) for every Italian.
18. There were 32,000 international students in Italy in 2018
It may not seem like much when compared to other countries like France and Germany, but Italy sure has its fair share of the international student’s pie.
19. Your student visa grants you access to 25 other European countries
Italy is party to the Schengen agreement which allows passport holders of member states to travel and stay for up to 90 days in countries within the area. You can travel to places like Germany, Spain, France, Austria and so many more with your visa.
20. Italy offers you a lot of historic culture
Italy has one of the richest cultures on the planet; an amalgamation of the different customs and traditions of its 20 individual regions. From the alpine pistes in the north to the Mediterranean beaches in the south, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve crossed international borders every time you enter a new region. Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other nation in the world.
21. Breaking the laws could cost you your admission
Do not flout any of the laws regarding the terms of your immigration or you could lose it all and be on your way home. Try to keep to working hours approved by the government if you must work. Also take care not to get constantly booked by police.
22. Italy is the cradle of Christianity
Modern Christianity started in Europe and Italy and Greece were at the centre of it all. Most of the apostles fled persecution to Europe and founded modern day Christianity there. The Pope who is the head of the Catholic Church lives in the Vatican, a small autonomous city outside Rome.
23. Italians are very religious
For a country that hosts some of Christianity’s holiest sites, this is expected. Over 85% of Italy’s population are practicing Christians. You often find religious symbols and relics almost everywhere you look.
24. Drinking in the public at night is prohibited
Italy has a vibrant nightlife. This often leads to nuisance for people who just want to rest after a hard day’s work. The government cannot stop people having fun at night, but they can stop them having fun drunk. Stay off alcohol when you hang out at night in public.
25. The climate in Italy varies
In the north of the country, the weather is harsh with particularly cold winters and hot, humid summers. The climate is milder central Italy with a longer summer and shorter, less intense winter season. The south of the country has mild winters and summer temperatures are similar to those witnessed in the middle of the country.
Do you plan on studying in Italy? Or do you have experience studying in Italy? Tell us about it in the comments section. If you are yet to subscribe to the After School Africa channel, now is a good time to subscribe. Until next time, YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS!
