Riccardo from Università Politecnica delle Marche in our interview about his exchange semester at the University of Klagenfurt
Riccardo Ioannone is studying Economics and Commerce at Università Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy. During his exchange at the University of Klagenfurt in the summer semester 2023 he was an incoming exchange student ambassador. In this interview, he tells us a little bit more on why he decided to spend an exchange period in Klagenfurt as well as how did he benefit from it both academically and personally.
Tell us something about yourself, where do you come from, what is your home university and what do you study there?
Hello! My name is Riccardo Ioannone and I am an Erasmus incoming exchange student from Italy! In my free time I’m a greedy devourer of books, movies, podcasts, and everything that encourages my personal growth. In my opinion, a solid culture can (and should!) be assembled through numerous and different sources. That is why I chose to live this experience. I come from Acquaviva Picena, a little town in central Italy, between sea and mountains. The region from which I come, called Marche, is not among the most famous ones but it is a hidden jewel definitely worth visiting! My home university is Università Politecnica delle Marche, in Ancona. I am currently majoring in Economics and Commerce bachelor’s degree, hence I am studying Business Administration here at AAU.
Why did you decide to spend an exchange period in Klagenfurt?
I have chosen AAU to live the once-in-a-lifetime experience to study abroad, in order to improve my communication skills and expand the horizons. I am deeply attached to my country, but sometimes I feel the need to explore new places and new cultures. I firstly discovered Klagenfurt when I was searching for universities abroad, and the city immediately caught my attention. It seemed like a picturesque place to spend a semester! Luckily, I can say that this has been the right choice: I am being surrounded everyday by other students from all over the world, studying in a multicultural environment that stimulates everyone to be himself/herself.
From an academic and personal perspective, in what ways did you benefit from taking part in a mobility programme at AAU?
From an academic and personal perspective, I can say that taking part in a mobility programme is an experience that allows you to grow in different aspects of your life. Since the very beginning, the student is required to inform himself about everything regarding the university, the courses, the accommodation, the deadlines and other important aspects of the mobility. Luckily, at AAU everything was all thoroughly explained and information was provided through several sources. Then, once the experience starts, there are plenty of challenges the student may face: from living in a different country to studying in a different academic system, and again from meeting lots of new cultures to managing everything that living alone entails, such as expenses and housework. For someone it may take weeks, for someone else even days. Eventually, everything becomes easier and the student ends up with a new set of important experiences.
Has your view of the world changed through your mobility period in Austria? If yes, how?
I would say that, if at the end of a mobility period nothing changed in someone’s view of the world, probably that person has not been able to fully live the experience. Living in another country and being in a multicultural environment as AAU is, would already be enough to acquire something new. Even from the smallest details, there is always something new to discover about other people, other cultures, other behaviours and traditions. My view of the world has changed thanks to all the wonderful people I have met here: people that were strangers at the beginning, and now have become like a second family.
Would you recommend spending a semester at AAU to other prospective incoming students? Can you tell us why?
I would definitely recommend spending a semester at AAU. I would recommend spending a semester abroad anyway, for the reasons I have given above. Particularly, I would recommend especially AAU for all the aspects that I found helpful here, such as stimulating courses, working facilities, a good accommodation right in front of the university and, last but not least, a peaceful city full of green spaces and next to a wonderful lake.
Word Rap:
My first day at the University of Klagenfurt in 3 words… welcoming, warm, friendly
Being an incoming exchange student ambassador in 3 words… stimulating, fun, creative
When in Klagenfurt you should not miss these 3 things… Lake Wörthersee, old town, traditional food
The best 3 things about AAU are… multicultural environment, facilities, teachers
My studies abroad in 3 words: interesting, culture, expanding horizons
