Sebastiano Lommi (Italy)

After my bachelor degree at the University of Genova in Italy, I decided to move abroad to continue my study. I opted for the Research Master Programme at the University of Groningen after having attended the annual Winter School organized by the Faculty of Philosophy, which gave me the chance to experience the quality of the teaching and the environment, in a direct way. After the Winter School, my doubts were wiped out and so I applied for the Research Master.

A clear overview of the major issues currently discussed

My first impressions about the quality of the learning experience have been constantly confirmed. The courses offered by the programme range over a variety of branches of philosophy, providing a clear overview of the major issues currently discussed in the philosophical debate. This allows the students to develop their own interests, granting them to choose in which field to get specialized after having received an extended background knowledge on the most relevant issues.

Research skills

The Faculty aims particularly to provide students with the adequate research skills that represent the backbone of a possible future career in the academia. In that sense, several courses on academic writing, presentations and project management are offered in order to enhance not only students’ knowledge but also essential research skills.

I found help in my fellow Dutch students

Moving abroad is not easy, but within the EU it is not as difficult as it can appear, since no special documents are required. However, finding a house in Groningen can be very frustrating especially in the peak period before the beginning of the academic year. For people that do not have the chance to look for an accommodation in the summer, the Housing Office of the University of Groningen represents a valuable alternative system. They offer accommodation both in student houses and in private houses. Once I had moved to Groningen, I had to deal with some administrative issues concerning my stay here. This could be quite problematic at the beginning, since almost all the official documents of the municipality and the institutions are available only in Dutch. However, I found help in my fellow Dutch students that translated them for me.

The city of Groningen is en excellent choice

Groningen is located in the North-eastern part of the Netherlands. Despite its distance from the other major cities of the Netherlands, it is very lively because of the large community of students in the city. Although it is not a big city, it is rich of live-music clubs and cultural events that make it a perfect environment for students. Thus, Groningen is an excellent choice for everyone who wants a full student experience, because, alongside a high-quality learning community, you can enjoy the warm and friendly life of a city tailored to students.