Sam is a Student Ambassador from Hong Kong, China and studies Medicine and Surgery the University of Bologna.
Published on 04 August 2023 | Asia
Hello my name is Sam! I am currently in my fourth year of Laurea Magistrale (Single cycle degree/ combined bachelor and master) in Medicine and Surgery and I come from Hong Kong, China.
As an international student, I was both excited and nervous to study overseas for the first time. To make things easier, I decided to join a Medicine program that is taught in English. It was a surprise that the program was available in Italy and more surprisingly it was of affordable cost! Studying abroad is not only about academics, that is why I researched extensively based on the school's reputation, teaching quality, living costs, city life, etc. In the end, I had no doubt about choosing Bologna as my first choice. It is a beautiful city of medieval charm, with delicious Italian cuisine, plus having the oldest university in the world. What more could you ask for?
If you decided to come, it is important to start planning in advance otherwise the Italian bureaucracy could give you an ‘unforgettable’ experience, not in a positive way. But once the documentation was all sorted, prepare your mind, and surely your belly, to embrace the incredible Italian culture!
One of the biggest advantages of UNIBO is the many resources available, including scholarships and grants. During these years of study I received several grants which enabled me to gain research experience in the UK and participated in an overseas elective clerkship in Japan. This year I will soon attend an international summer school in Korea . And applying for the grants was also simple, which is amazing!
Personally, I would highly recommend the services offered by the international desk. As foreign students, as you could imagine, we had to deal with piles of documents. Fortunately, the international desk was always helpful and provided good bits of advice. They could really give a great hand in some important moments.
Looking back to my first day in Bologna, it feels like yesterday. I still remembered clearly how enthusiastic I was. I was curious about every street sign, astonished by the historical architecture and always impressed by the beauty of Piazza Maggiore. This ancient city is a superbly preserved jewel of the world!
The good thing is that Bologna is a small city where everything is reachable and walkable. Though there is no train or metro here, the bicycle lanes are well-planned and widely available in the city.
About my free time, I wish I could tell you more, but I am almost always busy with classes and studying! For the little free time I had, I usually hang out with my friends and classmates for apertivo and dinner. Sometimes we would organize little parties for Christmas, birthdays, post-exam-stress-relief, and so on.