Details

• Italy
• MAMark-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The choice of the partner university is very individual. For me, the most important factors were the spoken language, the city, and the reputation of the university. Italy has always had a special place in my heart, so the decision was quite easy. As my parents are also huge Italy fans, they offered to drive me to Rome and even pick me up again at the end of the semester. Apart from that, the only thing I really had to organize before my exchange semester was finding a place to stay.

2. Accommodation

I started pretty late with the search (in July and I moved in the end of August). I found a room in a shared flat through a Whatsapp Group called "Affitti Luiss". In general, I was told that it is pretty though to find a good place for a good price. I was lucky with the place I found and also the price was okay, so don't worry too much. One of the most important things is the location as the public transportation in Rome sucks. I would advise to find something in Trieste or close to the campus. My place was located in Sacco Pastore, which is a bit outside but it worked just fine as it wasn't too far from the shuttle bus. Good luck! :)

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of LUISS is very beautiful and modern. However, one downside was the limited number of study spaces, especially during exam periods, when it could be challenging to find a quiet place to work. Many professors not only had strong academic backgrounds but also professional experience outside academia, which made the lectures more practical and engaging. Overall, I was very satisfied with the academic experience and can definitely recommend the courses I took. Courses I took: - Luxury Management - Fashion Management - Integrated Marketing Communication - AI for Brand Management - Product and Brand Management

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport was honestly one of the more challenging parts of everyday life. The buses are not very reliable, and you can never really be sure if they will arrive on time (or at all). It can also be quite difficult to find a taxi late at night, so getting around sometimes requires a bit of patience and flexibility. In terms of safety, I always felt very comfortable. I would say it feels quite similar to Vienna, I never had any negative experiences. Social life, on the other hand, is amazing. There are so many cool things to do: bars, concerts, events, cooking classes, and endless options for going out. Of course, there is also a lot of vino and incredible food everywhere. The coffee itself is REALLY cheap and really good, which makes everyday life even better. The overall lifestyle is very relaxed and people truly enjoy life and take their time. Another big plus is that there are many beautiful destinations close to Rome, which makes weekend trips super easy and definitely worth it. Overall, there are lots of options to fully enjoy your time there.

6. Testimonial

Italy, and especially Rome, truly has my heart. I fell in love with the way people live their lives and how you naturally start appreciating the little things. Walking through Rome simply feels like being in a movie. This exchange was a life experience I will always carry with me, and I wish you the best time of your lives there. :)