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Rita Bergami has been studying in Aalen since September and felt at home right from the start. Photo: Private

 "The best education for a clever person is found in travel," Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said. Inspired by this idea, Aalen University has built a strong network of more than 130 partner universities around the world since 1985. This initiative not only offers students the invaluable opportunity to gain international experience but also attracts students from around the globe for exchange semesters in Aalen. As part of a newly launched interview series, the university highlights the stories of international exchange students and their journeys to Aalen. Among them is Rita Bergami, who has been studying in Aalen since September. The Ostalb region marks another chapter in Germany for the Italian marketing student, who had previously explored other parts of the country. In the interview, she explains what makes Aalen special to her and how the university supports international students with a variety of programs and services.

Rita Bergami’s first impression of Aalen was shaped in early September when she arrived directly from Italy by car and explored the city center. At the time, preparations for the Reichsstädter Tage festival were in full swing. “Everything was decorated with colorful flags, the weather was beautiful, and I was immediately drawn to the architecture, especially the steep roofs in the city center,” she recalls. When deciding on a destination for her semester abroad in Germany, Bergami considered Dresden, the Elbe metropolis, and Tübingen, the picturesque and traditional university town. She ultimately chose Aalen because she prefers rural settings over the hustle and bustle of large cities. Her home university, the University of Urbino “Carlo Bo,” is also located in a small town with just 14,000 inhabitants. Situated in the Marche region of central Italy near the Adriatic coast, Urbino experienced its golden age during the Renaissance. Today, the town’s rich heritage is reflected in landmarks such as the magnificent cathedral and the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), earning Urbino recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and cultural significance. Established in 1506, the University of Urbino is one of Italy’s oldest higher education institutions and offers a wide array of faculties. It is also one of Aalen University’s many partner institutions, with an exchange agreement in place for the fields of business administration and industrial engineering. This partnership allows students from both universities to participate in the European Erasmus program and study at the partner institution for one or more semesters.

Excellent Support, Short Distances, and Never a Dull Moment

With 20,000 students enrolled at the University of Urbino, Rita Bergami is particularly impressed by the personalized support she receives at Aalen University. “In Urbino, I often attended lectures with over 200 students. In Aalen, however, we are sometimes just eight students in a class. This makes it much easier to fully understand and internalize the material, especially because the contact with professors is so close, and they take a lot of time to support us,” she explains. The 23-year-old master’s student in consumer marketing is not new to spending extended periods in Germany. Beginning in 2021, she studied for one semester each at the Universities of Passau and Bamberg. However, during that time, the pandemic had nearly brought university life to a halt. One aspect she particularly appreciates about Aalen is the compact campus, where all the university's main buildings are conveniently located in close proximity, ensuring short distances. Bergami attends her courses in the WIN building, the newly constructed faculty building for business studies on the Forest Campus. “It’s new, bright, modern, equipped with the latest technology, has a well-thought-out layout, and even provides free water,” she notes.

At the WIN building, the Erasmus student also enjoys close contact with the International Center, located within the same facility. As the primary point of contact for international students, the center has impressed her with its exceptional support and wide range of activities. Events are organized almost daily — from meet-and-greet sessions and cooking evenings to excursions such as a visit to the Esslingen Christmas Market — ensuring there is never a dull moment. The International Center also introduced her to the “Buddy Program,” which paired her with a German student who provided invaluable assistance upon her arrival.  This buddy not only helped her navigate bureaucratic hurdles upon her arrival but also provided her with numerous tips and ideas for leisure activities in and around Aalen. Moreover, the buddy remains available to answer any questions she may have. In response to what she appreciates most about Aalen, Rita Bergami promptly shares and responds without hesitation: “The square around the market fountain and the Christmas Market! I really hope it snows this year! But I’ve heard that summers here are also very beautiful, which is why I am planning to extend my winter semester and stay in Aalen until July.”