Ugwu Onyekachi Kizito is a Student Ambassador from Nigeria, studying Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Bologna.
Published on 22 January 2025 | Africa
My name is Ugwu Onyekachi Kizito, from Enugu State, Nigeria. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Through my work in hospital and community pharmacies, and volunteering in rural areas, I realized my passion for community health promotion and disease prevention. The lack of basic medical facilities in many Nigerian villages exposed me to significant health challenges, leading me to explore ways to make a difference. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was inspired by the rapid response of scientists in developing a vaccine, motivating me to pursue a degree in pharmaceutical biotechnology. I am now in the final year of my master's degree, working on my research internship and preparing my thesis. My goal and dream is to continue developing in this field and contribute to improving access to medicines for emerging diseases.
At the start of 2022, I received admissions to universities in the United Kingdom, a popular destination for Nigerians. However, the high tuition fees and lack of full scholarships made it unaffordable. I expanded my search to Europe and discovered that many Italian universities offered my program at a significantly lower tuition fee. Excited, I applied to the University of Bologna and the University of Milan, both of which accepted me after oral exams.
Initially, I considered enrolling at the University of Milan for its lower tuition, but after discussing it with my mother, we agreed that the University of Bologna's global ranking and prestige made it a better fit. To enroll, I had to legalize my documents at the Italian embassy in Nigeria and apply for a visa. During one visit, I met a fellow student who introduced me to a WhatsApp group of Nigerian students applying to study in Italy. Through the group, I connected with both current students and fellow applicants, which alleviated my initial nervousness. The community provided essential support and guidance for my visa process and arrival in Italy.
Despite participating in the online orientation programmes, I still felt nervous leaving my country for Bologna. However, when I arrived, I noted how beautiful and clean the city looked. I watched how people went about their business in cars, buses, motorcycles and even bicycles. It was a busy city, yet calm. I fell in love with the orderliness of Bologna. Bologna felt different from what I expected: its faculties are spread throughout the city, creating a unique academic atmosphere. In my Pharmaceutical Biotechnology programme, I enjoyed the research-focused courses, friendly lecturers, and the innovative virtual classroom, which allowed access to materials before lessons, something I hadn't experienced in Nigeria. I also cherished the coffee breaks, where we’d chat over coffee or cappuccino.
In my first year, I worked hard to catch up on some topics from my bachelor’s, spending hours in the library and seeking advice from professors and classmates. I was fortunate to benefit from the ER.GO tuition exemption and scholarship, which allowed me to focus on my studies. Though Bologna is an international city, the language barrier initially hindered my integration. I started learning Italian on my own and have since enrolled in the UNIBO language school at the B1 level. Now, I’ve made more friends, enhancing my sense of inclusion in the community. made more friends which gives that sense of inclusion.
While applying for ER.GO benefits from Nigeria, I received a notification about accommodation in San Benedetto Val di Sambro (VDS) and decided to accept. Upon arriving in Bologna, I stayed with my friend Julius in the city center while completing the paperwork for the move. I now live in a studio apartment with Ahmad, an economics student from Bangladesh. We take a 45-minute train ride from VDS to Bologna and then a bus to our faculties. Bologna is a multicultural city, where you're likely to encounter people from your homeland. Bologna is also safe and lively, with people always around, even at night. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with friends in public squares, restaurants, nightclubs, and concerts, and I also take short trips or enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, cross-country running, and football.
Having studied in university of Bologna and lived in the city of Bologna, I would sincerely recommend anyone to attend my university. UNIBO h a greatas international reputation and presence. The University of Bologna is excellent in education, research, and sustainability, which has attracted a lot of international students and rendered it a diversified university with social inclusion. You will get your education with comparatively lower cost owing to scholarships, grants and subsidies.
"For students that are considering coming to Bologna and Italy, I would say, Benvenuti! You would love the experience. The weather is beautiful, the people are welcoming, and the food is enriching. You would not only pass through the university, but the beautiful life here will also pass through you, and you will not recover from it, forever."