Student Profile
| NAME | Luca |
| AGE | 24 |
| COMING FROM | Novi Ligure |
| GRADUATED IN | Msc in Energy Engineering - Erasmus Mundus Master Course Environomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems (SELECT) |
Hi Luca! Tell us more about yourself. Why did you choose to study at Politecnico di Torino?
After my Bachelor in Italy I wanted to see something really different. I searched a lot until I came across this extremely international program offered by PoliTO. It's a prestigious, integrated, international Master of Science, jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions. Indeed, this program allows you to choose two different universities for the first and second year and get both their degrees at the end of the 2 years. I have been able to do my first year in Sweden and the second one in Torino in an institution like PoliTO, which is well-known for the strong technical preparation of its students.
Wow, it sounds great! What would you say was your most memorable class here?
I would say my thesis in a laboratory. I have been working in an open air lab working with a concentrated solar power facility. As the days were getting warmer with spring I had a very good time working on a quite practical application in a research field. The Uni has a lot of research going on and there are nice opportunities for academic experiences and laboratories.
I would say my thesis in a laboratory. I have been working in an open air lab working with a concentrated solar power facility. As the days were getting warmer with spring I had a very good time working on a quite practical application in a research field. The Uni has a lot of research going on and there are nice opportunities for academic experiences and laboratories.
So far so good. Did you have to face any challenge while you were studyng here?
Unluckily my first days in Torino were during quite intense covid restrictions and I could not really live the experience as I wanted. Classes went online quickly but I still had the chance to go to a few in person at the beginning. Polito managed well the presence of mixed lectures and all the materials were provided online as well. Classes were recorded, allowing many people to be able to follow courses even from different time zones (in case they were not able to reach Italy).
Talking about life beyond your study, what's your most memorable experience?
During my master programme there are two seminars planned at the beginning and at the end of every academic year. In those occasions all the students coming from different universities in this InnoEnergy network (which I joined through Polito) gather in a European city to do some courses and basically spend time together. It is an amazing occasion for getting to know so many other people, students, professors and alumni and create a solid network around Europe. The possibilities this Master’s unlocks are so broad: I found many friends which later became a very important part of my life. After my master I moved to Barcelona for a new job and I already had some friends and contacts there from my master which really helped me settling in. I share with them good memories like going to surf to the beach after our last seminar in Lisbon.
What were the top three skills you gained from joining PoliTO?
I learned how to overcome challenges that might seem very difficult by just keeping on trying. Most importantly, I learned how to ask for help! Having many people around that have the same struggles makes you understand that it’s easier to fight problems together. Just talk, make connections and rely on others. Sharing my life and problems with my mates made me understand the importance of having a healthy and strong social environment around. Thanks to the work-groups, I learned how to cooperate in various teams and present the work to others.
What kind of support did you receive here?
My Master provided a full scholarsip covering my tuition fee plus a monthly allowance which made me almost economically independent while still being a student!
My Master provided a full scholarsip covering my tuition fee plus a monthly allowance which made me almost economically independent while still being a student!
If you could describe your experience here in three words, what would they be?
I think People, Travel and Explore.
I think People, Travel and Explore.
People: I was always with people, meeting new friends and building strong connections. I think that is my main takeaway from this programme, and something that enriched my life even after so so much.
Travel: my master allowed me to go to places I wouldn’t have visited elseway. I am so happy Polito was in this network of universities from all over Europe.
Explore: My programme involves many companies in the realization of student projects that last one year. It was a really nice opportunity to experiment how working for a company looks like and how life is out of a school class. Additionally, I did my thesis at Polito on a research topic, and I experienced also working in a lab. Since these two were the main doubts about my future, this programme helped me a lot in exploring and understanding more things about me.
Did you join any clubs or organisations?
Honestly, no, I didn’t feel the need because by meeting new people I always had so many things to do, experiment and see. But if you like it, Polito is great for organisations! Go for it.
Honestly, no, I didn’t feel the need because by meeting new people I always had so many things to do, experiment and see. But if you like it, Polito is great for organisations! Go for it.
How's a typical weekday for you?
I wake up around 10 mins before the lecture as most of them were online ehehe, get ready and go for it. During the pandemic, it helped me sharing the day with my flatmate Isa, which was as well in the same programme. During the night, I was often having aperitivo or dinner with friends, watching a movie with my flatmate and then go to sleep!
What about your weekends?
During the mornings and lunchtime, I was sometimes going to a study room (depending on the proximity of exams). The afternoon was sometimes spent for shopping/groceries or just napping.I just loved going to Balon, the hipster fleamarket in the best neighbourhood of the city, every Saturday. In periods far from exams, we would just leave the house and go for walks in the city. I love Torino as it is simply elegant, open and full of life. The student life is great, and there are many concerts, museums, exhibitions and markets to check. Additionally, it is well connected with the mountains, in case you like hiking or winter sports and to other parts of Italy. Milan and Venice are quite close, and Rome is only 4 h away by train.
Thank you Luca for sharing your experience with us!
