Hamed is a Student Ambassador from Iran, and a first-year Master’s student in Civil Engineering at the University of Bologna. His interests include water engineering and sustainable infrastructure.
Published on 05 August 2026 | Asia
My name is Hamed, I am a first-year Master's student in the Civil Engineering programme, and I come from Isfahan, Iran. Growing up in such a historic city, surrounded by magnificent architecture, made me curious about how buildings, bridges and other infrastructure are built and how they shape our societies and the way we live. That curiosity was the first thing that drew me to civil engineering, and over time it developed into a strong interest in water engineering, sustainable infrastructure and the use of new technologies, such as the Internet of Things, to address challenges like flood risk and climate change. Along the way, I discovered how deeply civil engineering connects to my passion for the environment, architecture and even art.
Choosing Italy meant more than simply studying abroad. I wanted to truly experience a new culture in a place with such a rich and fascinating history. Choosing the world's oldest university was also an easy decision. The academic reputation, especially in engineering, the quality of teaching and research, the international atmosphere and the University's extensive international network made Bologna stand out as the perfect choice. A close friend of mine had studied here, and hearing his story about life at Unibo made me feel even more certain that this was the right decision. Preparing to move to Italy involved much more than packing my things, and while it was exciting, it could also feel overwhelming. My advice to future international students is to start the visa application as early as possible, prepare all the documents in advance and stay organised from the beginning.
Studying Civil Engineering at the University of Bologna has been challenging, but in the best possible way. The courses go far beyond theory: they encourage you to think about how engineering can make a difference in the real world and how to apply what you learn to real projects. One of the best moments so far was the water engineering project course with Professor Bragalli, when we visited the beautiful Ridracoli Dam. It was both fun and eye-opening, and suddenly everything we had discussed in class made sense in a completely new way. It reminded me exactly why I chose civil engineering.
Something else I have really appreciated is how approachable the professors are. They are always open to questions and happy to help students work through difficult topics, connecting what we learn in class to real-world challenges. When I first arrived in Bologna, I was impressed by the city's atmosphere, its architecture and the energy created by students everywhere. During my first weeks, the International Desk was always there to help, other students were quick to offer advice, and the University's website became an invaluable source of information. As the semester progressed, the study rooms and libraries became some of my favourite places to focus and work.
Honestly, Bologna is a fantastic place to be an international student. It is lively and welcoming, with so much history everywhere you look, yet small enough that you quickly find your way around and start to feel at home. One thing that surprised me was how often Italy reminded me of home. Both Iran and Italy are civilisations shaped by thousands of years of history, where architecture tells stories, traditions are deeply valued and people genuinely enjoy sharing food and culture with others. Those similarities made adapting to life in Bologna much easier than I had expected.
Finding accommodation was definitely the hardest part of settling in, and I eventually found my room thanks to a friend's referral. That is why I always tell new students to start making connections as soon as possible, join student groups and not rely only on housing websites. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from a simple conversation with someone you have just met.
When I am not studying, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring Bologna and discovering new corners of the city. I also try to give back to the community whenever I can. I volunteered at the Termal Bologna Marathon and worked with other Student Ambassadors to organise a Nowruz celebration, experiences that showed me how much can be achieved when people come together.
They also reminded me of the Persian poet Sa'di of Shiraz: "Human beings are members of a whole, in creation of one essence and soul." Studying at UniBo has shown me how true those words are. Here, people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds come together to learn, support one another and grow as one community. You do not just come here to earn a degree; you become part of a great, active and welcoming community.
Moving to a new country is not easy, and there will always be challenges. But once you settle in, make friends and start exploring everything Bologna has to offer, things begin to fall into place. Stay curious, ask questions, talk to people and do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. To me, life is all about step-by-step, little but constant growth and change, and UniBo gave me the chance to do exactly that. As a Persian proverb says, "Drop by drop, the river becomes a sea."