Let’s face it. We all want to go to Italy and see for ourselves the land where the most influential thinkers and artists we know today have found their inspiration. Despite Italy’s small geographic area, it is not lacking in terms of exquisite culture, gastronomy places, art, history, and natural landscapes that will leave anyone in awe. Tourists and students alike continue to fall in love with Italy’s many charismatic attributes, a fact seen in their continuously growing number in the country, which boasts of “la dolce vita”. Italy has everything an international student might look for in a study destination – internationally acclaimed universities, multicultural societies, friendly locals, convenient and efficient transportation system, and appealing student cities. In this article, we have rounded up 8 of the best student cities in Italy for international students.
1. Study in Milan
2. Study in Rome
3. Study in Pisa
4. Study in Bologna
5. Study in Florence
6. Study in Siena
7. Study in Venice
8. Study in Taormina
One of Europe’s largest business hubs, Milan comes first on our list of top student cities in Italy. This second-largest city in the north of Italy boasts of a bustling commerce and finance center, which lures international students. In Milan, you can find a vibrant scene which is a world center for fashion, finance, research, media, and the arts. Thus, international students enjoy limitless opportunities in terms of internships, training, and employment in these various industries. Moreover, Milan is an ideal location for exploring the rest of Italy, with its efficient transportation system topped with 3 airports to allow you easy access to other Italian and European destinations whenever you feel like it.
With regards to education, Milan is a perfect student city. It houses 8 major universities and the largest student population in the country. Moreover, Italy’s most prestigious and highest ranked universities, such as the Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Università degli Studi di Pavia, and the University of Milano-Bicocca, are located in Milan. These universities provide superior academic instruction in a variety of fields. The best news is that most of them offer English-taught programs. Hence, you can find a multicultural student community in the city of Milan.
Milan is a modern city home to a populace accustomed to a metropolitan vibe. With the city’s world-class commercial and trade centers, you can expect a dynamic environment bursting with enthusiasm and vigor. Nonetheless, Milan still has the unique Italian strain characterized by its art galleries and gothic-designed classical buildings. International students in Milan have the chance to personally see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” as well as the world’s largest gothic cathedral, the Duomo di Milano. In Milan, you have zero chance to have a dull student life.
The capital of Italy, Rome is another important city for tourists and international students. Everybody wants to have a glimpse of the famous Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. More than these historic and cultural sites, Rome is home to some of Italy’s most significant government and economic offices. Rome is also home to The Vatican, the world’s smallest country and a vital religious epicenter. Moreover, Rome allows international students to bathe in a classical and artistic atmosphere. Literary, theatre, and art enthusiasts will find something to visit in this city.
Likewise, globally respected universities are found in Rome. Its most prestigious universities include the Sapienza-Università di Roma and the Università deli Studi Roma Tre. International students interested to pursue a professional degree in art, history, or culture can explore studying in Rome, as it is the most conducive learning environment for those who wish to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge on such fields. They can just take a leisure stroll on the streets of Rome and experience first-hand Roman history and culture at its grandest.
Who would not know Pisa, the home of the Leaning Tower which tourists are dying to explore and take a creative photo shoot with? Pisa is an Italian student city which is not as cosmopolitan as Milan or Rome. Instead, Pisa offers a rather modest lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s major cities. Pisa’s tranquil attractions include palaces, churches, and bridges across the River Arno. Despite Pisa’s countryside setting, international students have plenty of things to do in the city. For instance, they can take a walk to the Borgo Stretto, Lungarni, Piazza Garibaldi, and Piazza Delle Vettovaglie if they fancy a dining or spa treat. They also have fast access to Tuscany, Italy’s most picturesque region, and revel in its stunning mountains and beaches.
Pisa is home to the Università di Pisa, an internationally recognized institution for higher learning which boasts of being the university attended by the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei. Throughout the years, the University of Pisa has produced several competent professionals in the field of astronomy, physics, and other sciences. The city is also a location for other equally competitive Italian universities, such as the Scuola Normale Superiore and the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa. Thus, should you long for an Italian city which will allow you a most encouraging study place, you must consider choosing Pisa.
The largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna seems an underrated choice for international students in Italy. However, Bologna deserves to be included in the top list of student cities in Italy because of its many enticing characteristics. For one, it has been named by UNESCO as a Creative City for Music for its lively music scene which features hundreds of concerts every year. The concerts present a variety of music genres including but not limited to international rock, electronic, and alternative bands. Bologna is also dubbed as Italy’s gastronomy capital for its many cuisines. The most prestigious dishes you can best taste in Bologna are the la cucina Bolognese, tortellini in brood, Tagliatelle al ragú, and mortadella Bolognese. Furthermore, Bologna presents film festivals including restored silent sound film festivals. International students in Bologna can also find 3 major car museums in the city, such as the Ducati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini museums.
Characterized by its dominantly red colors painted on its infrastructure and residential houses, Bologna is a sight to behold. The rustic feel incorporated in its neighborhoods make one feel like they are in a classical setting. Bologna is a small city which you can explore by riding a bicycle. Thus, international students can expect to spend less on transportation to and from their chosen university. Likewise, residential houses accept student boarders for a minimal fee. Living costs, then, are not as high as what you would expect in an Italian city.
In terms of universities, Bologna is popular for the University of Bologna, one of the world’s oldest universities and a significant educational institution in Europe. It is also home to other prestigious universities such as the Collegio di Spagna, Johns Hopkins University, Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, Collegio Superiore di Bologna, and the Carpigiani Gelato University. Such a collection of top-notch institutions for higher learning earned Bologna the nickname “la dotta” or “the learned one”. Hence, if you wish for a laidback lifestyle in an impressive learning locale, Bologna is the student city for you.
Florence, or Firenze in Italian, is a city flocked by many international students looking to study in Italy. The principal charm of Florence is its remarkable cuisine, art, and historical offerings. The bits and pieces of the Italian renaissance are mirrored in Florence’s every street. International students who want a destination which allows them to live in the midst of an important historic scene should undoubtedly choose Florence. In this city, you can take a casual stroll and learn about Italian architecture and sculpture lining the streets of Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Piazza della Signoria. You can also explore various churches and museums, such as The Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio, The Bargello, and the Galleria dell’Academia.
Moreover, Florence provides an ideal location for students who wish to be near the picturesque Tuscany and the grand city of Rome. With a single train ride, its Santa Maria Novella train station allows you to explore other charming Italian cities on your weekend off from school. Thus, if you are an international student looking to spend your Italian university life in a city where food and wine, culture, art, and history beautifully blend together, Florence should be your student city choice.
Whoever visits Siena, be it a tourist or a student, will find reflective serenity and leave with profound astonishment of the city. With the rolling hills of Tuscany as its background, Siena is a testament of Italian splendor. Many consider the city of Siena as a work of art painted on a natural backdrop as the canvas. This small city prides itself to be a medieval society with a deeply entrenched Italian history. International students in Siena are in for a laidback and relaxed lifestyle. They have the chance to literally stop and smell the flowers on the way to or from the university. Who would want to miss out this chance, really?
Siena is home to popular institutions known for their language, architecture, art, and history programs. Some of its attractions, which international students can visit, include the Piazza Salimbeni, the Siena Cathedral, and Piazza del Campo. International students can stand witness to traditional activities conducted by the friendly people of Siena. For instance, Piazza del Campo is the venue for the Palio di Sienna, a bi-annual horse race which the Siena community has been conducting since the medieval period. If you feel you are cut out for a natural charmer which is highly confident in art, language, and history, you need not look any further. Siena should be your home for your Italian study abroad journey.
A popular tourist destination in Italy, Venice is often dubbed as an Italian city straight out of a fairytale, with its web of canals and walkways, which look like something from a fantasy land in our imaginations. Luckily though, Venice is a real city that opens its arms to welcome international students hoping to acquire a degree in a location known for its inimitable design.
Venice is a city stitched from 118 small islands by an exquisite urban planning structure. In Venice, international students can bask in Italian life in the most Italian way. They can visit the Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Signs, and the Doge’s Palace. The city is also the venue for the popular Italian Carnivalle which can be an entertainment option for you outside of school hours. If you fancy a student lifestyle exposed to a daily spectacle of Italian architecture and custom, choose Venice as your student city.
Located in the east of Sicily and a less known area in Italy is the city of Taormina. International students who want to spend their university years outside of the mainstream Italian destinations should consider Taormina. This is a city which shows off a unique amalgam of cultures, including that of the Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Byzantine cultures. It is also home to various classical traditions and venues which preserve the Italian heritage. For instance, the Teatro Antico di Taormina is a Greco-Roman theater which is still used today as a venue for various concerts, plays, and film festivals. Moreover, Taormina also boasts of a natural fascinating landscape, decorated by volcanoes and unspoiled beaches. Hence, international students enthusiastic on learning all about the ancient civilization have to go to Taormina and see for themselves what the city has in store for them.
Italy is a masterpiece woven from mesmerizing art, culture, history, cuisine, and natural beauty. Whichever city you choose, you are in for an exciting student adventure. Additionally, Italy’s small size allows you to jump from one city to another whenever you want to have a different feel of the country’s many superb facades.
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