Why did you choose to study building engineering at Politecnico di Milano after your bachelor’s degree?
I first experienced the program of Building Engineering during an exchange semester that I did during my bachelor’s degree and discovered that I liked Milan and that the whole program seemed very interesting. I wanted to expand my knowledge of building engineering in general. I studied mechanical engineering before and was working in building services design. I knew that to make sustainable buildings, not only the mechanical part was important, but the different systems taken all together and I wanted to develop my aptitude to design such buildings. I was also attracted by the experience of living abroad in a new culture. I had already started to learn Italian for my exchange, so the language was not so much of a barrier for me anymore. I wanted to integrate better into this new environment and culture.
What are the main difficulties you dealt with while studying and living in Italy? How did you manage them?
I think every international student will tell you that the bureaucracy is very complicated in Italy. At least, everyone is in the same boat and talking to classmates and friends can help you find solutions or be better prepared. Applying for the residence permit is always a long process. I had to do it many times and there was often a document that was not correct once at the police station. Since I had talked to many friends on that matter, I knew this was common and I kept my calm and went through the process as I was told. However, due to my citizenship, I didn’t need the permit to travel around Europe and having additional delays of 2-3 months was not so bad for me.
The studies themselves were ok since I had experienced one semester already during my exchange and I knew what to expect. I was attending all the classes, and I was studying a lot before taking my exam. I was often studying with classmates too since that helps a lot, especially for oral exams. You can practice in advance speaking out loud about each subject. Another important thing is to get involved a lot in the group project since most of our exams are on those. Participating in various aspects of the project, you learn gradually about all the topics of the course and you feel more ready on the exam day.
One academic challenge that I overcame was doing two courses taught in Italian. Although at that point my conversational Italian was very good, following technical classes in that language was something else. All the technical vocabulary was new to me and fortunately, I had Google Translate with me during the class. The fact of having group projects in those courses also helped me. I think it was a really good experience for me since it brought me out of my comfort zone and forced me to adapt to an unusual situation. I had to work more and prepare myself before group meetings just to be able to discuss my points with more confidence as I usually do when everything happens in English. I had to ask more questions to my teammates. I think the best is to talk about difficulties you experience with the group and to ask them for help if needed.
One last difficulty that I can mention is the part about being far from your family. Nowadays, it is easier to keep in contact and talking frequently on the phone or via video calls helps a lot. Another important thing is to make friends in Italy and create your own family there. That’s how you can feel at your place and go through the difficulties that come your way.
What are the main differences between studying in your home country and studying at Politecnico di Milano?
First, in Canada, I had mostly Canadian friends and was not exposed to different cultures. Studying at Polimi, I discovered different cultures both about life and academically. Students from different countries were bringing different perspectives to the projects, sharing their knowledge from their home country. This enriches even more the learning process.
Second, the course format and examinations were a bit different compared to what I’ve experienced in Canada. The program of building engineering includes many group projects which were much less present during my bachelor’s. This is an efficient way of learning, especially in the field of building engineering. Apart from the projects, the courses focused a lot on theoretical knowledge that you had to master to pass the oral exams. During my bachelor’s, it was mostly about the resolution of exercises which can be good but doesn’t necessarily prove that you can discuss the subject easily with colleagues or other professionals. The oral examinations require an additional level of preparation which can be difficult at first but is very useful on the job market afterward.
What are the opportunities that this master’s program offered for your personal and professional growth? How were they useful to your career development?
The master’s program brought me an open mindset and helped me reduce my fear of exploring new avenues and embracing change, which helped me in my recent relocation to a new continent. This adaptability allowed me to extract maximum value from the experience. Additionally, I improved my language skills by mastering a new language and expanding my social circle to include friends from diverse nationalities.
Furthermore, the program cultivated leadership qualities, proactivity, effective time management, and enhanced communication abilities in both English and Italian. It also broadened my expertise in energy simulation and finite element modelling software, as well as deepened my understanding of green technologies.
As a result of these developments, I find myself in my current role as a sustainability consultant in Malaysia, where I advise clients not only on mechanical systems but also on overall site and building sustainability aspects for each project. This journey underscores the profound impact of the master’s program on shaping my career trajectory.