Greetings from Bologna

Master's student Julian Russ reports on his semester at the University of Bologna

Why did you choose this particular partner university?

I have been an absolute lover of Italy since my childhood. The culture, the food, the music with artists such as Jovanotti, Nek, and Raffaela Carra, which have been playing on the CD player at home and in the car on the way to Italy for holidays since my earliest childhood. And, of course, the southern European way of life. The joy of a slower, simpler life, of getting together and focusing on the small, special moments in everyday life. Here,

I also learned the term “Vita Lenta,” which means “slow life” and underscores this southern European way of life. Due to my time management skills, which still had room for improvement, and the jogging sessions to university that were therefore necessary, this “Vita Lenta” lifestyle suited me very well, as the start of lectures was not timed to the minute.

When it came to deciding which Italian city to go to, I had strong support from the Austrian band “Wanda.” Their song of the same name, “Bologna,” and the lyrics “If someone asks where you're going, say Bologna” made my decision easy. It was very special for me to realize that I was studying at the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1088. The libraries, the university buildings, and the entire city tell so many stories just by looking at them.

The university was more reminiscent of an opera house than an educational institution. The ceilings were decorated with stucco, arches, and paintings, and marble and bronze statues adorned the staircases and entrance halls. Even the floor, with its various mosaic patterns, was an eye-catcher in itself. Even the walk to the university was something special, as you walked through the miles of arcades and lost yourself in the lovingly designed details of the cityscape.

I already knew that this city is very political due to its long-standing university tradition. But I wasn't aware of the extent of the politicization. I arrived in Bologna at a time when the conflict between Gaza and Israel was escalating. The students demanded a complete academic and institutional boycott of Israel and an end to university cooperation. As a result, lecture halls were occupied, followed by the entire university.

Open discussions with professors were held in the lecture halls, and people gathered in the courtyard to paint banners, exchange ideas, and make music. Daily protest marches through the city center were planned and carried out. In some cases, individual sections of streets were even occupied in the evenings by setting up blockades and hanging banners with the slogan “Reclaim the Streets.” Self-organized raves then took place here. The way in which the students organized, engaged, and acted as a collective more than lived up to Bologna's reputation as a vibrant city with a history of student activism and political protest.

How do you like the university city? How do you experience the culture of the host country?

The entire city is a history book that speaks for itself just by looking at it. At every corner, you fall in love again with the elaborately designed architecture, built and preserved with attention to detail. It is the endless arches, the churches, and the various shades of orange on the facades of the houses that run through the entire city.

There are also many Erasmus events and Welcome Days that make it easy to get to know people. Even outside the organized Erasmus collective, the city offers many opportunities to meet other people. There are countless small cafés, bars, and green parks, as well as a comprehensive cultural program with live concerts almost every day. All of this makes for a high quality of life and a varied everyday routine.

Another important point is, of course, Bologna's cuisine. As a student, even those on a tight budget can get a pizza Margherita for three euros (Pizza Casa & Pizza Toscana), fresh from the oven. Overall, the pizzeria “Pizza Dodo” was my personal favorite. But pasta lovers will also get their money's worth and can enjoy homemade tortellini, lasagna, and tagliatelle al ragù for an average of 14 euros.

Where do you see the biggest differences between your host university and the MCI?

The architecture in particular is a key difference between my host university and MCI. Going to university was like going to the opera. The magnificent entrance areas were full of statues, mosaics, paintings, stucco, and artistic flourishes on the ceilings. The university buildings were steeped in history. For all art and history enthusiasts, it was a feast for the eyes. The libraries were also designed to be spaces where people enjoyed spending time and where learning felt different because of the history of the room. The course sizes varied greatly depending on the subject, but were usually 25 people or more.

What has been the biggest challenge so far during your semester abroad?

The Erasmus semester teaches you to gain a lot of self-confidence and develop an optimistic attitude. You gain a new kind of serenity, as so many spontaneous hurdles reveal themselves along the way. These include organizational issues that arise when moving to a new city, meeting the requirements of the Erasmus program, changing courses and making changes to the learning agreement, coping with unplanned hospital stays, and an extremely challenging housing market in Bologna. At the same time, you have to quickly find your way around a new city and an unfamiliar environment. And on top of that, you also have things like your upcoming master's thesis and career prospects in the back of your mind. It can all seem very overwhelming because sometimes you can't see the end.

What helps is to focus on taking one step at a time and trusting yourself more as you go. However, many things fall into place as you go along, and many things don't need to be solved or answered right away. The main thing is to dare to take the first step. To illustrate this with an example from Innsbruck: it's like hiking in fog on the Nordkette. It often seems overwhelming, and sometimes you can't see the end. But once you get going, focus on the next step, and go at your own pace, you'll reach your destination. In this case, the fog is actually helpful, because you can only see as far as the next step – and that's more than enough, because after all, you're climbing the mountain step by step.

I discovered this metaphor for myself while running on the Nordkette and have been trying to keep it in mind ever since. And in the end, it turns out that despite all the initial challenges and concerns, it was definitely worth setting out and taking the plunge because of the great encounters and personal experiences you had. But enough of Innsbruck metaphors and life tips: what I want to say is, have fun in Bologna, the city is definitely worth it.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

The walk to San Luca, a pilgrimage church surrounded by the hills of Bologna at an altitude of 300 meters, takes you through the longest arcade in the world. A total of 666 uninterrupted arches and four kilometers must be covered to reach the church and enjoy the view over the city and the hills of Bologna. This is where all Innsbruck trail runners and hiking enthusiasts get their money's worth. The hills of Bologna are a great place to let off steam, and there are numerous trails that evoke a feeling of home. The sunrises and sunsets are also a sight to behold.

For sunrise, I recommend Parco di Villa Ghigi, from where you can also see Bologna directly. For sunset, I recommend the pilgrimage church of San Luca. The climb up there is definitely worth it. From there, you can also continue on a direct trail to the Reno River and cool off once more before heading home.

Despite the beauty of the city, there are areas that are best avoided in the evening. These areas are not particularly safe at night, which is why I recommend traveling in groups. One such area is the part of Via Zamboni located outside the city.

In the main square, Piazza Maggiore, you can watch the hustle and bustle in the evening, surrounded by numerous ice cream parlors and restaurants on the steps of the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world, accompanied by musical street performers.

Overall, this city is really livable. For me, it was the mix of lively city life, the special architecture, and the opportunity to quickly find peace and quiet in the green hills of Bologna that convinced me so much.