After earning her degree in Applied Interlinguistic Communication, Giovanna decided to continue her academic journey at UniTS by enrolling in the Master's Degree program in European Policies.

Tell us about yourself: where are you from, what has your academic journey been like, and what are your main interests?
I’m originally from Germany, from a town called Trier, near Luxembourg. I arrived in Trieste about a year ago, at the beginning of October 2023. At the end of my Erasmus experience, I obtained a double degree, Italian-German, from the University of Regensburg and UniTS. Specifically, my study plan included the first two years in Germany and the final year at SSLMIT in Trieste. I’ve always been deeply passionate about foreign languages, which I see as a tool to communicate with other cultures and overcome communication barriers. Besides Italian and German, I also speak and understand English, French, Dutch, and even a bit of Spanish.

How did you find your experience at our university?
Regarding the campus, studying on Via Filzi was a very different experience compared to my time in Germany. At the University of Regensburg, there’s a single central campus where you can meet students from all other departments, while SSLMIT’s campus is attended only by students enrolled in the same degree program. I really enjoyed this aspect because it creates a sort of unique ecosystem where students share the same academic path and have many interests in common. For me, it was fascinating to be in an environment where everyone spoke 4 or 5 languages.

Did you find significant differences in the courses compared to Germany?
I find that classes in Italy are more lecture-based compared to Germany, where lessons are broader and more general, with courses and seminars ranging from literature to politics. On the other hand, SSLMIT has a more focused approach, aimed primarily at training translators and interpreters. These are different methodologies. The relationship between professors and students is also profoundly different. In Germany, we’re used to communicating mostly via email, whereas here professors take a more direct approach, calling students into their offices or speaking with them after lessons. A funny anecdote: during the first few weeks of class, I tried to communicate with professors via email, but they suggested discussing things in person. I was almost scared! I even thought, ‘Did I do something wrong? Why in person?’

Was there a particular course that stood out to you?
Yes, I’d definitely say the Dutch course taught by Professor Gentile. My study plan allowed me to choose an elective course, and I had heard that SSLMIT was renowned for teaching this language. Although it turned out to be very challenging, I learned a great deal and improved significantly.

What inspired you to stay and continue studying in Trieste?
Personally, I had a great experience during my Erasmus. After a whole year of making friends and collecting wonderful memories, it’s hard to leave. I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in English with a more practical and specific focus. As I mentioned earlier, in my near future, I’d like languages to be the means to work in an international environment, rather than the main focus of my profession. So, I immediately thought of a path related to European Studies. When I started looking around, I came across an announcement on the university’s website about the new master’s program in European Policies for Digital, Economical and Social Transitions. I immediately thought it could be a perfect fit and applied. Before starting, I had to complete a preparatory course in data analysis, and soon I’ll officially enroll. Now, it’s time to embark on this new adventure!