Josephine Asabea Akonor is a Student Ambassador from Ghana, studying in the Master's in International Relations
Published on 03 February 2026 | Africa
My name is Josephine Asabea Akonor, and I am from Ghana. I recently graduated from the University of Bologna (Unibo) with a master’s in international relations. Coming to Europe to pursue my education had always been a dream of mine, so I was determined to make it happen, no matter what obstacles arose. Being from Africa, the chances of obtaining a visa are slim. Despite being admitted, I was initially denied a visa; however, I applied again, and after several months of waiting, my visa was eventually approved. My enrolment at the university was simple and straightforward, and I must mention that the International Desk was helpful. They helped me through the entire process, answering all of my questions and explaining what I needed to do at each stage, from pre-enrolment to the final time I had the visa and even when I finished.
I’m sure you are curious about why I chose to study in Italy. The answer is quite simple: Shakespeare. This may sound trivial, but I fell in love with Italy after reading his fictional books in literature class during my secondary school years. I’m a very imaginative person, so his portrayals of the characters and cities on which the stories were based made me want to live or visit Italy one day.The more logical reason for choosing to come to Italy was the fact that Italy has some of the oldest and most respected universities globally; a lot of master’s programmes are taught in English, so I wouldn’t have to feel the pressure to learn a new language; the mobility benefits, the rich culture and history that Italy offers, the unique mix of art, history, food and lifestyle, the strong social culture; and, most importantly, the low tuition and numerous scholarship opportunities were some of the main reasons I opted to study here in Italy.During my university search, Unibo was at the top of the list due to its strong academic reputation. As you are aware, the University of Bologna is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, with a strong tradition in humanities and social sciences. After reviewing the outline for International Relations, which I wanted to study, I realised it has a solid foundation and a focus on global governance, diplomacy, security, and development, all of which are extremely relevant to my desire to work internationally. The multicultural and diverse environment was important to me because I anticipated that it would broaden my network, worldview, and intercultural skills. And I got exactly that and probably more during my two-year study.
My teaching experiences at the university were excellent. Diplomacy in a Global World, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Resolution, Europe and Africa: Cooperation and Security, Evolution of the International System, and Project Management were some of the courses that piqued my interest the most given my intended career path.
Another notable difference for me was that Unibo encourages more independent thinking, fewer “spoon-fed” notes, and more reading, analysis, and debate, as opposed to my home country, where lectures primarily provide notes with little debate and analysis by students. Assessment was often high-pressure for me because I was used to traditional in-person written exams, whereas in Italy it takes various forms such as a take-home essay, research papers, presentations, and sometimes in-person exams, with the oral exam being the most stressful. I remember having trouble sleeping for about a month before my first oral exams.
Because there are much more international student intakes at Unibo, I was exposed to more global perspectives than I had ever been in Ghana. My course mates came from all over the world, and I had the opportunity to interact with students from all over Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Bologna was magical; I almost immediately felt the positive vibes I had with people, and since moving to Italy, I have never felt as if I didn’t belong. I fell in love with the city because I felt right at home almost immediately. The narrow streets, mediaeval layout, arcades (porticoes), and preserved buildings that make the city appear almost frozen in time were all amazing.
My time at the University of Bologna was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Beyond academic growth, it has changed the way I see myself, interact with the world, and navigate unfamiliar spaces as a Ghanaian student living abroad. Over time, I gained academic confidence, learnt how to defend my ideas, and became more at ease engaging in intellectual debates with students from various cultural and political backgrounds. Bologna taught me how to stand on my own without relying heavily on family or friends. It has allowed me to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Overall, my time at the University of Bologna has not only strengthened my academic foundation, but it has also shaped me into a more independent, globally minded, and self-assured individual.