My on-site study experience was one of the best experiences of my life. I got my degree 1997 in Pisa, Northern of Italy. I arrived in Pisa when I was 21 years old and I left at the age of 29. I was sharing my flat with 6 more students. I had the best time of my life….
I am convinced that you should study for your first degree on site when you are young between 18 to 28 years old. It’s a unique experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. I was busy all the time studying (most of the time during the night); enjoy all the social and sport activities inside and outside the Campus. In Pisa everything revolves around students. It was easily to meet International students, speak in different languages, and discover different culture from all the part of the world. We were studying in such old nice library. For coffee break we were meeting at our favorite coffee shop in the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli Square. Most of the time we crashed into political discussion in the beginning slowly to end with such folkloristic behavior almost shouting and gesticulating as the Italians know how to do. The contact with your professor, tutors, researcher was very very close. We used to buy or borrow books and newspaper to study and keep informed. Internet was not so popular that time. The University building, the library, the canteen and the coffee shops were very important part of our life: they were meeting points of exchange knowledge, feeling, opinion, friendship and sometimes love.
vs
The learning experience that you can get on site can not be compared with the distance learning. The distance learning experience is virtual. It doesn’t have that physical contact (professor, student, employees, researcher, and international student) that a course on site have. Then the way to study, the classes, the meeting with your professors is really lived on Campus study based. You live surrounded by 24 hours of the university life. When I started the MALIC programme in November 2011 it took me almost 6 months to find the right way to study and customized my time. You must have a plan, determination to succeed. The feeling with your class and professor is cold but effective. There are certainly some positive aspects like you do not need to move from home, review your videos anytime you wish from everywhere and this great. But I what I really miss is the University’s atmosphere and everything around the student life.
If you have intention to get a Degree I suggest you to attend it immediately after your secondary school. It is the best time of your life to make this experience. After your degree if you wish to get an Advanced Master Degree do it online.
antonio..