Michael Krassowizkiy

After completing my bachelor’s degree at the Technical University of Munich in the summer of 2022, I decided to complete my entire master’s degree course abroad at the University of Padua. So I started my studies abroad in the autumn of the same year. The Alexander Spohn Scholarship supported me during my second year of this undertaking. All in all, I’m really happy that I decided to continue my studies abroad.

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In front of the University of Padua

Why studies abroad – and why Padua?

There were two main reasons behind my motivation to study abroad. Firstly, I wanted to specialise after my broadly based bachelor engineering studies – more specifically in the discipline of automation and control technology with greater focus on mathematics. This sector in Germany generally forms part of an electronics and IT study programme, although I wanted to find a study programme especially tailored to my needs.

Secondly, I wanted to attach more value to the social aspect of my studies. I found it difficult to establish a genuine social network during my bachelor studies in Munich.   The initial semesters were very demanding, and then the coronavirus pandemic further complicated any opportunities for making contact. I also found the longer travel distances in Munich to be very detrimental in this respect – unlike in other smaller university towns and cities where the distances are shorter and students meet more frequently. I was also looking for a study location that met my academic requirements, yet at the same time facilitated participation in the social aspects of my studies.

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At the Prato della Valle

This combination isn’t readily available in Germany, so my attention turned to other European countries. I found my answer in Padua. It has a great reputation in my desired academic discipline. The faculty’s master´s degree course was recently modernised and its teaching is now entirely in English. Padua is moreover the ultimate student city; it has 70,000 students to 200,000 inhabitants. My first impression was then also confirmed by Paduan alumni with whom I spoke before making my decision. The fact that this study location is in Italy was a (fortunate) coincidence.

Academic experience

Teaching in Padua is theoretical in nature. The mathematical modules are more rigorously formal than I was used to from my engineering studies in Germany. Teaching is generally focused more acutely towards theory, or rather towards the contextual penetration of the material. Practical exercises serve more as an aid to understanding the material than practice in finding methods to solve certain types of task in a timely and correct manner. The teaching priorities in my bachelor studies were exactly the opposite. The exam preference in Padua is for you to provide the derivation or substantiation of significant results. There is less emphasis on traditional assignments, such as those I was used to from Germany.

Learning behaviour is accordingly different: rather than working your way through yet another old exam sheet – which are often available as preparatory material – it’s much better to peruse your own recap.

Another difference is that you complete fewer modules per semester. All of my modules in Padua were worth either 6 or 9 ECTS. My modules in Germany were usually worth 5 ECTS. This equates to around 4 exams per semester in Italy as opposed to 6 exams per semester in Germany. Or, in other words, you’ve got more time in Italy to expand on individual modules. On the other hand you cover significantly more subject matter in Germany.

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A trip to Bassano del Grappa

I personally tend to prefer the Italian teaching system. My primary desire was to obtain a theoretical and mathematical master’s degree. I also found it a shame that I didn’t always have time during my bachelor’s degree to expand on the subject matter to the extent I would have liked.

At the same time, I have to say I didn’t have any difficulties linking the basic knowledge from my bachelor’s degree to the master’s modules I was taught. I also have the feeling from my bachelor’s degree in Germany of being used to a significantly higher workload than my Italian fellow students. This meant that I, as opposed to some fellow students, had no major problems keeping up in the first master’s semester, which is deemed here to require a lot of work. I ascribe this above all to the organisational skills I learned during my bachelor's degree.

Which teaching system is better is a matter of taste in my opinion, and it also depends on your career goal. I’m more theoretically inclined and would also like to apply for a PhD in the future, so the Italian system suits me better.

I’ve still not quite completed my master’s degree course and am currently working on my master thesis entitled ‘From Model-based to Data-driven LMI-based Controller Synthesis’ supervised by Professor Maria Elena Valcher, which I’ll finish in April.

The topic of my thesis is derived from the domain of data-driven control in which conventional model-based control technologies – which are often reliant on costly modelling processes – are replaced by approaches based on measured data sets that are increasingly available. The core challenge is ensuring that the reliability and certainty characteristic of the model-based method is also possible in a data-driven context. As already mentioned, I would like to apply for a PhD in this domain after obtaining my master’s degree certificate. Albeit this is more likely to be at a university in Switzerland or in Germany. The prospects of finding a suitable workplace in industry after a PhD are just objectively better there than in Italy. I’m also optimistic of finding a matching doctoral position given my good academic achievements and the great academic contacts of my professors.

Social and cultural experience

Social life in Padua was considerably easier for me than in Munich. I believe there are various reasons for this. The city is manageable and the main student meeting places can be reached on foot. I found my studies in Padua to be less time-consuming, which gave me greater freedom to participate in social life.

Although it was living in a student residence in particular that made a decisive contribution to my successful start in Padua. In addition to providing accommodation, this residence is part of the state-approved ‘Collegio di Merito’ network and offers numerous non-university courses and student-led working groups. Initiatives including theatre and dance lessons are also actively promoted. This meant I soon became part of a community of mainly Italian students, which significantly eased my introduction to the city.

I was eventually also able to give something back to this inspiring environment: first I became involved as a student councillor for the residence to represent the interests of international students – a group that had only recently been formed and faced various transitional issues. I then assumed management of the Internationality working group, which organised events to promote interaction among Italian and international students. This included us organising an evening meal, for example, where students prepared typical dishes from their countries of origin and presented them to the other residents.

Being part of such diligent integration activities meant that I quickly made precious friendships and gained many unforgettable impressions. One particular highlight was a weekend trip to Naples that involved two fellow residents from Naples inviting a total of eight of us to visit their homes. In addition to all that, I also benefited linguistically: despite minimal initial Italian language skills I soon acquired the language.

Apropos language, this aspect came as a slight culture shock to begin with. Not all of those in Italy of my generation speak good English, or are at least not self-confident enough to apply their knowledge. Most of those of the older generation don’t speak any English. One memorable early event was a call from a city official who wanted to explain an important document to me – entirely in Italian. When I told her I didn’t speak any Italian she repeated her explanation; more slowly but again in Italian.

Social life in Padua was largely conducted in Italian. You were consequently forced to learn Italian to get the most out of your stay in Italy. Padua is still enriching if you don’t speak Italian, but then you’re generally restricted to interacting with other international students.

Another aspect that struck me in Italy is the relaxed perception of time. You never arrive on time for a private meeting, for example – turning up a quarter of an hour late is completely normal. I wasn’t used to that at first, especially being from a background with a stricter timetable. At the same time, the equanimity here is something I’ve learned to appreciate. People take the time for breaks and simply deal with unfinished matters later, without stress. If things don’t go as planned, the first response is to have a coffee – with the adage: ‘it’ll all turn out fine in the end.’

Albeit this very attitude can quickly result in frustration within official or professional settings. This more easy-going approach can sometimes be irksome, especially in an administrative context when you’re desperately waiting for an answer or outcome, or where important appointments are involved. I’m nevertheless glad to take this more relaxed perspective back home with me and wish I could have experienced more of this calm frame of mind during my bachelor’s studies.

Conclusion and personal impact

My master’s degree course in Padua was exactly the right choice in many respects. The study programme correlated with my engineering interests and gave me a sound theoretical education that provides a solid basis for my future academic career.

I furthermore feel that my time in Padua was enriching because I was able to integrate well, not only professionally but also socially. Living in a city with a strong focus on the student body made it easier for me to become socially involved and resulted in me feeling at ease. I reckon that this balance between academic progress and personal well-being made my stay all the more valuable.

My special thanks go to the DAAD Stiftung whose funding in my second study year enabled me to have the essential leeway to fully concentrate on my studies and the associated encounters.