Ciao tutti!

I am Fariz Pirmatov 4^th course Computer Science student at Khazar University. Currently, I am doing my exchange semester in Italy. In this blog, I am going to share my Erasmus exchange experience with you. I had a chance to study at Politecnico di Torino which is one of the best public universities in Europe for engineering and architecture. In the QS University rankings, it is ranked 39th among technical universities in the world.

Turin is situated in the northwest of Italy, and it was the first capital of the country. It is considered one of the most sustainable cities in Europe, thanks to its numerous parks and tree-lined avenues. I am astonished by the architecture: old-styled churches and houses all around the city. There are a lot of cultural places to visit in Turin. Among them, Mole Antonelliana, Basilica di Superga, Egyptian Museum are my favorites.

The Erasmus program is a great opportunity for you to taste new experiences. It is easy to find groups that organize events like cultural activities and parties especially for Erasmus students. Before classes started international students had an orientation week which was a great way to meet students who are in the same situation as you. There were ESN events each week, and it was really fun. Especially language exchange at Der Keller. I am a really big fan of football and one of my favorite teams is Juventus. The club where Ronaldo played for a couple of years. During my stay in Turin, I met other Erasmus students and we had a chance to watch a game in Juventus Stadium. It was an amazing experience.

For me, it was really hard to find accommodation and if you’re planning to study in Turin, I suggest you search for accommodation 1-2 months in advance. Turin is not so expensive compared to other cities in Italy like Milan and Rome. The prices are affordable. If you don’t like cooking at home, there is a good canteen near to the Politecnico and you can really enjoy the food that they offer for students.

In conclusion, the experience of being an exchange student at Politecnico di Torino has been amazing. When you are in an unknown place, far from your comfort zone, you have no option but to learn how to deal with unexpected situations. In these circumstances, you must believe in your capacity to face and solve any problems you might come across. I think that is the main advantage of this program.

Arrivederci!

Fariz Pirmatov
The student of Khazar University