Arian Laganà Ghadimi is a final-year Medicine student at UniTS. Arian previously participated in the Erasmus+ programme in Lleida, Spain. This year, she served as an ambassador for UniTS International Day.

Let’s start with the basics: who are you, where are you from, and what do you study? Introduce yourself beyond what’s on your CV!

My name is Arian, I come from a tiny town in Veneto, so small it could fit inside a grain of rice! But I still proudly call it the centre of the world. I’m in my final year of Medicine, and I score points every time someone asks, ‘Arian? Not Arianna?’

Erasmus: love at first sight or a well-thought-out decision? Was there a specific moment when you thought, ‘Okay, I’m doing this’?

At the start of my studies, I never even considered going on Erasmus. Leaving my loved ones for so long? Hmm, no thanks. Over time, though, I realised that the deep emotional attachment I had, one of my greatest sources of joy, could also become a limitation. Even though I was already living away from home, the thought of moving even further, beyond the reach of my trusted regional train, made me feel the weight of distance from the people who made a place feel like home.

Erasmus was the perfect way to confront my fear of being far away. I wasn’t worried about adapting or handling university life, people always manage somehow, but I was afraid that distance might take something precious away from me. Maybe it was the right time to challenge myself. The idea of Erasmus started as a fleeting thought in my kitchen... and in the end, it was my own sense of home that encouraged me to pack my bags and board a flight without a return ticket. And it was incredible.

Destination and first impressions: where did you go, and what was your reaction when you arrived?

My new daily life unfolded in Spain, in Lleida. On the day I left, my head was full of dreams. The biggest surprise came that very evening when I realised I already felt at home. Who would have thought?

I hadn’t foreseen that, after initially not wanting to leave my home in Italy, I’d soon find myself dreading the day I’d have to say goodbye to this new home. I was completely caught off guard!

Epic moments and comic mishaps: tell us about a highlight from your Erasmus experience and a moment that made you break into a cold sweat at the time but now makes you smile.

One day, a friend in our group suggested, ‘Why don’t we sign up for an obstacle course race?’ Why not? Let’s do it! That race ended up being one of the most exciting things I did during those months: we ran in the rain, climbed wooden walls, jumped into mud pools, and crawled under electric wires. We must have looked a mess, but we had the time of our lives.

On the other hand, a truly nerve-wracking moment was when we got mugged one evening. The people I was with bravely chased down and confronted the thieves, while I, frozen in place, clutched a set of keys in my trembling hands. Thankfully, everything turned out fine in the end!

Erasmus: academics vs. social life. What courses did you take, and how were lessons structured at your host university? From a social perspective, how did you find the experience with professors and the student community?

I took courses in Paediatrics, Gynaecology, and Urology, with lectures delivered in Catalan or Spanish. My Catalan skills were limited to asking for a shopping bag at the supermarket and apologising, but even though it took some time to follow lessons properly, it was incredibly stimulating and rewarding to integrate this new way of learning and communicating. The professors and students were always welcoming and understanding.

Erasmus changes your life... but how? If you had to sum up what you gained in terms of skills, mindset, and outlook, what would you say?

This experience helped me understand myself better, gave me the opportunity to discover real passions, and provided new perspectives on how to view the world.

Erasmus gave me even more than that. One of the most beautiful aspects was meeting people with whom I formed such deep, genuine bonds that they once again disproved my fear that distance would diminish the things I hold dear.

From Erasmus student to ambassador: what motivated you to become a sort of ‘mobility ambassador’ for UniTS? Do you enjoy inspiring other students with your enthusiasm?

Erasmus gave me so much, and it would be wonderful if everyone could experience something that makes them feel truly alive. It’s not always smooth sailing—though that might be a bit dull anyway—but I believe every part of the journey is valuable in its own way.

Last but crucial question: if you had to convince someone hesitant about going abroad, what would be your motivational slogan?

‘The greatest joys are often hidden just beyond your fears.’ … Not bad, right?