Meet Alessandro from Italy
Name: Alessandro Tedesco
Home Country and City: Italy, La Spezia
Home University: Pisa University
Programme of Study: International Political Sciences
Favourite thing about Umeå University: Organization and efficiency
Favourite Swedish word or custom: Fika (that is a famous Swedish word and really nice custom)
Three words to summarise your time in Umeå: Exciting, Useful, Lively
Why did you choose to study at Umeå University?
I chose Umea because it is somewhere very different from the destination that an Erasmus student usually goes to. I have always heard really nice things about Sweden and I wanted to verify that for myself. For example, the nickname “North Star” is perfectly accurate for Sweden. In fact here everything is well-organized and prepared, preventing any inconvenient a student could meet in a foreign country. This is why when I got the chance to come here I had no doubt about my final decision to carry on my journey in Sweden. English Language here is highly developed and advanced, this helped me improve my language skills. My English also improved thanks to the good organization of studies with seminar, tutorial and interactive lecture where one can have an active participation to the discussion and then learn in a faster and better way. Umea University has a really nice campus based on the American model where students from every country of the world can study in a comfortable and pleasant environment. Coming here is one of the best choices I have made. I now understand what the word “difference” means even if I am technically still in Europe.
What do you like most about your courses?
In order to have a good first contact with everyone, one can start the so called “buddy programme”,where you can meet new students and have a first look at the university. May I add, in my home university there is nothing that comes close to this. Activities, games, trips and nights are all organized by the buddy programme office. Regarding the courses I must admit that it was a nice surprise how team work is important here as well as a good use of the computer/internet skills, plus of course the studying step by step with seminars to attend or assignments to write that gives you the gradual feel of high school then university.
What has been your most memorable moment about the courses so far?
To be honest there are a lot of moments to remember but if I had to choose one in particular I would pick the \'Team building\', which is a competition among every buddy in the group taking on some funny discipline in the snow. It was something to remember.
What do you do when you’re not studying?
In Umea there is a lot to do mostly concerning sport activities. Since I love doing sport either indoors or outdoors, it is perfect here seeing there is one of the biggest sports center I have ever seen called IKSU. This sports centre is amazing because you can do everything from gym to beach volley. Especially during the winter you can do outdoor activities by yourself or organized by IKSU.
Then Umea is an energetic city where all students at least once try IKSU. When I am not studying or doing sports activities I also spend a lot of time with friends in downtown or maybe at the lake where we often do barbeques. In conclusion I must include to say that on campus there are three night clubs where you spend your week-end , also the week day, but if you do not like this you can go downtown(10 minutes by bus) where you could satisfy your will to dance and have fun.
What do you like best about the town of Umeå and its surroundings?
Umea has is a beautiful place all around. By that I mean the town is nice, clean, small not chaotic in the slightest. The lake, river and forest are amazing too. I have never seen such a great natural place either in summer and in winter and plus you can smell and breath something really fresh. The lights and colors of the sky or the green of the grass or trees which are really strong have made a big impact on me. The contact with nature offers a brilliant opportunity to relax.
What do you find as the biggest cultural difference, both socially and educationally, from your country with Sweden?
Italy and Sweden are two different worlds. Educationally there is no comparison. Here the education is really good and you can study in English and Swedish.
The rooms are really cosy and clean and most importantly there is enough space for everyone. Given that in Italy Universities have an old tradition , for example mine was built in the 1343, so one can almost feel and breath its history, but in Sweden and in Umea in particular you appreciate the progress and advanced technology taking its toll. From a social point of view Italy and Sweden have two completely different cultural backgrounds the biggest being the way people communicate and relate to each other. Swedish people compared to Italians are more closed, especially in the beginning. Instead Italians are open to everything and everyone. Given this difference it was difficult for me to adapt at first. something that helped overcome this initial difficulty was the willingness of the Swedish to speak in English, even between each other.
What you would say to another international student thinking of attending Umeå University?
You should come here to enjoy a different place and culture and a really nice student life but be prepared for the harsh and long winter. To adapt to this different weather one must have some remedies to live well. This is helped by the fact that one will see light all day long in the late spring and summer. At first it can be hard to adapt( as it has been for me) but soon with parties, university life and other experiences, you will get used to this great place full of energy and fun.
What are you career aspirations?
I am studying international political sciences so I aspire to an international career in important institutions. I plan on bringing my experience in my country(as we really need it) and in order to reach this goal I must be good and fluent in English and meet as many people as possible, helping me open my mental horizons.
