Experience in University of Padua, Italy by Mauro

Generally, what is University of Padua like?

Padua has got a good University, although it has too much red tape. Capable teachers, good courses, facilities within or very close to the beautiful historical centre. Nevertheless, I don't think that the administrative secretaries speak English; maybe French.

By the way, there are about 60 000 students in Padua, in a town of 200000 inhabitants, and hundreds of Erasmus students each year: so, you will not have problems to find a good company.

Source

What are the facilities like?

The scientific faculties buildings are quite new, while the Humanities ones would maybe need some enhancement. But on the whole they are acceptable. One thing you may like knowing: it can happen that you have a course in a certain place, and a little later another one quite far from there. But with a bicycle the distance problems almost disappear.

Source

What are the tutors like?

There are not any tutors.

Are the lessons easy in University of Padua?

It depends on the faculty: at the ex Lettere e Filosofia (Humanities) lessons are easy to attend (if you know a little of Italian), and not compulsory, but the lessons in English or French are not so many, with regard to courses of the school of cultural heritage.

Source

Does the University organise activities; what are they like?

There are some cultural and sports events, like theatre evenings, dancing courses, tennis, volleyball and other sport tournaments, and the CUS (University Sport Centre) allows to train in the academic facilities.

Do you think the teaching is of a high quality?

I can speak for the teaching in Italian language, and it's pretty good. Padua has an high rank among the Italian universities. At the Humanities Faculty, professors are usually helpful and kind, and sympathetic during the examinations as well (but you have to study at least the minimum not to make them lose their patience! )

Source

Are there any stories you can share?

Around Padua's streets, you often find groups of students and families celebrating the recent graduates in an odd way: the new doctor, wearing ridiculous clothes, has to read his/her "papiro", a poster in which his/her friends have written in rhyme many episodes of his/her life; every time he/she makes a mistake, he/she has to drink wine or something else from a bottle usually fastened with scotch tape to a hand. Meanwhile, the friends throw flour, eggs and so on to him/her. And every passer-by cannot hold a smile.

Source