How did you find out about IIRPS VU? And why did you chose to do your Erasmus+ at Vilnius University?

I decided to do my Erasmus+ experience at Vilnius University because the courses it offers are stimulating and different from what I did before coming here. In fact, this offer seemed very interesting to me because the programmes and topics addressed seemed newer and constantly adapting to the evolution of society and its interests, allowing students to actively get involved and immerse themselves in the topics.

Also, before I chose this university for my experience I spent a lot of time looking at Vilnius University’s social pages and seeing this young, modern and ever-changing environment convinced me to come and study here.

What do you like the most about your studies at the Institute?

The thing I like most about studying at IIRPS VU is that the professors are really interested in creating debates and discussions with the students, in every seminar they always try to bring up new arguments that always leave some new and valuable lessons. I think it is great that one’s opinion is considered valuable by professors and other students and that you get to know different points of view on various important topics.

How did you come up with the idea of doing an internship at the IIRPS VU administration?

Since this university immediately gave me the air of a modern place that offers many possibilities for growth, I thought I would get closer to the institute and actively live this experience at IIRPS VU.

Also, the opportunity to be able to do an internship in a new city, with new people and in a different language seemed like an occasion not to be missed and I am grateful to have been given this chance.

How is Lithuania for you? Why did you decide to stay here for one more semester?

Lithuania is a place that has been giving me so much since I arrived in Vilnius at the end of August 2022.

It’s a very different place to what I’m used to but from the beginning I felt a good feeling because the environment here is very young and international, there are many opportunities to get to know different people with different backgrounds and Vilnius allows you to live peacefully and everything works very well. One thing I really like is the amount of green spaces in the city, it is nice to be able to leave your house and in a few minutes you can walk in a park with big trees and a nice river while remaining in the city centre.

During the first semester I realised that this city was making me feel good and the university was inspiring me a lot to want to do and learn more so I decided to stay for a second semester because I felt that I was not yet ready to finish this experience and I am more and more convinced that I made the right choice

What are the biggest differences between Italy and Lithuania that you have noticed?

There are certainly several cultural differences between Italy and Lithuania, the most obvious being that people here initially seem colder and quieter. Also, I really like the fact that young people here are much more aware of what is happening in the world and around us on a daily basis, it seems to me that it is the young people who give a boost to the life of the city, something that in Italy is sometimes not equally possible due to a series of old people in the stronger powers but I think that this wind of modernity and desire to bloom will soon arrive in Italy too.

Another big change between Rome and Vilnius is the weather, it’s really opposite to what I’m used to; I think I’ve never seen so much snow in my entire life but I’m grateful because it made this experience even more special.

What would you like to wish the IIRPS VU community? 

I feel that this institute is evolving day by day and the students here are really people I wish it was more common to see in a university environment because they are always looking for new ways to help the world.

I wish all current and future students to be able to feel their opinions valued just as I feel it here and to find solutions all togheter for a brighter future.