Jana Feller, a Global Project and Change Management student from Windesheim, will be living and studying in Padua, Italy this semester. For WIN, she is reporting on her experiences.
It’s been a week since I arrived in Padua, a vibrant city in the north of Italy, half an hour away from Venice. So far, so good, I’d say. I am here for an Erasmus semester as part of my study, “Global Project and Change Management,” and while my friends are enjoying cinnamon rolls in Finland, pineapple buns in Hong Kong, and vegan stroopwafels in the Netherlands, I ended up in the land of pasta and pizza.
Olive trees and scenic hills
I decided to split my journey into two, and after travelling from Leeuwarden to southern Germany, where I was born and raised, I continued my trip the next day. I took the direct train from Munich to Padua. Crossing the Alps this meant beautiful views, changing slowly from mountains and rivers to the typical Italian landscape full of olive trees, scenic hills, and colourful houses.
When the train stopped in Padova and I stepped -or rather fell- out, due to the weight of my two suitcases, I saw an older man smiling at me. Judging by my very limited Italian, I think he asked me, “Are you from Padua?” and, a bit disoriented yet flattered he might think I’d be Italian, I smiled back at him and said my very first Italian word: “No!”
Aperol Spritz and wine
After arriving at my apartment and getting to know some of my flatmates, I went into the city centre. I instantly liked it: while it was already dark outside, the air was still warm, people were walking and talking on the streets or enjoying themselves in bars, drinking wine or Aperol Spritz. La dolce vita.
Inspired by this Italian spirit and still overwhelmed by everything, I sat down at a little restaurant and spent my first evening eating pasta and drinking some vino myself. Reflecting on life and doing some people-watching, I suddenly realized that this would be my home for the next five months.
Karaoke with the other internationals
Since then, I have slowly been finding my way, and my first week has treated me well: I went grocery shopping, managed to unpack, and met a few new people. I visited Venice, drank Aperol at a karaoke bar filled with other internationals, and strolled through the streets.
While the last days have mostly been about arriving, I am curious how life will go once my courses start next week. Ciao, Padova, I am excited for more!
