Travel abroad and Politecnico

If you, too, dream of experiencing the American college life you’ve heard so much about, you can’t miss this fantastic exchange opportunity that Politecnico offers to undergraduate students! 🎓🇺🇸

Requirements and Application

To participate in the SEC project, you must be enrolled in the second year of computer engineering, mechanical engineering, or electronics at Politecnico and have earned a minimum of 80 credits by the end of the first semester of the second year and 120 credits by the end of the second. A precise GPA is not required, but the higher it is, the greater your chance of being selected for a scholarship! 📚📈

In addition to academic requirements, before being selected to participate in the project, you will have to pass an English language interview where you will talk about yourself and your motivation to participate. If it’s been your dream for a while, nothing to worry about! It will be easy to answer all the questions the professors may have about you and your interests! 🗣️💭

Pre-Departure

Selected? Congratulations! Now comes the most stressful part: you will be in contact with the American university and any colleagues with whom you will share this magnificent experience. 🌍🤝

Visa, accommodation, flights: at this stage, it is essential to make the right choices in a usually very tight time frame. For the flight, I recommend booking it only after obtaining the visa. However, be careful because the U.S. consulate has long waiting lists! Send your request for an appointment as soon as possible. 🛫🏠🗓️

For accommodation, I recommend staying on campus or as close as possible to where you will have classes. In America, I learned that public transportation is a European luxury; everyone there drives for long distances! 🏡🚗

On the Journey

Depending on your personality, it may take more or less time to adapt, but I can assure you that after overcoming the initial obstacles of language and living alone, you will have a lot of fun! 😄

Try to connect with Americans right away, be curious, ask many questions, and try to learn as much as possible from them and their culture. Being a European project, there will also be the opportunity to meet French, German, Spanish, etc., boys and girls who will be in the same situation as you: far from home for a few months in a country totally different from their own! 🌐🤔

Don’t be afraid and involve them in all your activities: there is nothing more beautiful than discovering all the cultural differences, enriching each other. Oh! Don’t forget to attend classes: in America, they will be much more practical, with labs and group work… And if you have the opportunity, travel and explore the surroundings: there are many flight deals, and the major American cities are breathtaking! ✈️🏙️

Elsa Romeo, ICT for Smart Societies student 🎓💻