by Mateo Medina Abad

 

Italy might not be exactly what you imagine, but it can be better than you thought.

 

Studying in Italy – Quick Answers for Curious Students

• Is studying in Italy always like in the movies? Not exactly – it’s beautiful but filled with real-world surprises.
• What surprises most international students in Italy? Bureaucracy, cultural nuances, and a more formal academic system.
• Is it still worth it? Absolutely. Especially if you embrace the differences – and grow from them.

If you’ve ever dreamed of studying in Italy, you’re probably picturing it already: sipping coffee with a sweet pastry in the mornings, spontaneous road trips to the coast, streets that feel like movie sets, or a pasta dish that changes your life.

And some of that is true. But in between the aperitivi and the architecture, there’s also paperwork. Lots of paperwork. There’s also the search for an apartment, the Questura appointments, the unfamiliar classroom dynamics, the chaos of moving around the city, or the moments when you can’t quite tell if someone’s being rude, loud, funny, or just Italian.

Don’t get me wrong, studying in Italy is beautiful; but it’s not always the version you imagined.

This isn’t a story about disappointment. It’s about what happens when expectations meet reality – and how that friction can spark something real.

 

Is Studying in Italy Always La Dolce Vita?

Reality check: Not quite – and that’s okay.

Everyone comes with expectations, and they are powerful. Maybe the videos you saw on TikTok, a movie, or a story from a friend. But part of the first months is realising that a lot of what you think, both positive and negative, is not necessarily true.

First impressions of Italian culture can vary depending on where you’re coming from. For someone from Latin America, people in Milan may initially feel a little reserved. But for students from Northern Europe, the same warmth and expressiveness might come across as surprisingly open. Either way, it’s part of the charm – you quickly discover that these cultural differences enrich your experience and help you see the world from new perspectives. You must come to terms with a culture that is different from your own, with its unique nuances.

But this is also a great opportunity, even the small things will feel like a surprise. Grocery stores that close at different hours than what you are used to. Different routines, like aperitivo or a sweet breakfast; formality among students and teachers; bureaucracy that demands stamps and patience. Even coffee, maybe it’s too strong, too bitter, or maybe it's not.

Just keep in mind that not everything will be exactly as you expect.

 

What Happens When Expectations Meet Reality?

But when you break the glass, something better begins

We get it, the first few weeks can be disorienting. You’re excited, but also overwhelmed. Italian feels too fast, too strange. The university system feels unfamiliar. But remember it’s also exciting. Hang on to that.

At Università Cattolica, for example, many students are surprised by the academic culture: it’s more formal, more structured, and exams often come down to one big final one, usually an oral with your professor. There’s less continuous assessment and more personal responsibility. But slowly, something shifts.

You’ll understand the university's rhythm, you’ll learn how to study for your exams, and you’ll even repeat one or two to get a higher grade (one of the beautiful perks of the Italian education system). Simply, you will find your rhythm.

From learning which café makes you coffee how you like it, which tram gets you to class fastest, which seat in the library lets you concentrate, or even deconcentrate while checking the people and the scenery. It takes time, but trust me, you will get there.

 

How Do Students Adjust to Italian University Life?

The shift: When life starts to click

Without realising it, after a few blows, you will have your own routine. The pizzeria you like, the market where you can buy stuff from back home, a friend group to count on; a city that you make your own. Italy won’t explain herself easily, but you will learn by contrast.

You’ll know what to say if they ask if it’s with contanti or carta. You will stop translating everything in your head. You will even order a caffè macchiato instead of a latte. You will host dinners, parties, and aperitivos.

You learn to move fast when needed, and slow down when it matters, like Sundays. You accept that some things won’t change – and that others will, including you.

You will join clubs, collectives, gyms, and sports teams, and all will offer you more than just experience. They offer connection and belonging.

Now, that gap between the Italy you imagined and the Italy you live in starts to close.

 

What Makes Studying in Italy Worth It in the End?

Different, not worse

Because remember, managing expectations doesn’t mean giving up on beauty – it just means learning to see a different kind of beauty.

The kind that shows up in small routines. In friendships that grow slowly but deeply. In learning to enjoy a city that doesn’t reveal itself all at once.

Studying in Italy teaches you more than academics. It teaches you how to build a life in the in-between: between languages, between cultures, between who you were and who you’re becoming.

So, no – it’s not always la dolce vita. But it might be something better: your own version of it.

 

What to Know About Studying in Italy

• It’s beautiful – but not always effortless.
• Culture shock is normal, especially with bureaucracy and classroom dynamics.
• Italian university life is formal but rewarding.
• You’ll find your rhythm through routine and connection.
• The real joy? Living your own version of la dolce vita.