Johanna’s Semester Abroad in Bolzano

Between Alpine charm and Italian vibes

Student in dormitory
Johanna in her shared flat in Bolzano

Hi! I’m Johanna, and I spent my semester abroad in 2023/24 at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy. I took classes in my main subjects—German and general studies—as well as in education.

Why Bolzano?

I chose Bolzano because I loved the mix of Italian flair and Alpine lifestyle — it just felt like the perfect combo!

I was able to get all my courses recognized and escape the grey winter back home in Flensburg at the same time.

Cow on a pasture
A detour into nature
Drinks and snacks from a top view
Snacks and drinks in the sun
Three skiers on the slopes
Weekend on the slopes

Getting ready

Before heading to Italy, I had a few things to take care of:

  • Submit credit transfer and learning agreement
  • Book a train ticket
  • Find a room in a shared flat
  • Apply for an Italian tax number
  • Order the Abo+ transport pass
  • Learn a few basic Italian phrases

Living situation

Two women smile at the camera, the right one having a wine glass in her hand
Johanna and her flatmate

My room in the flat was super small, and our weekly Cleaning Day was taken very seriously at times...

...but it quickly became a running joke, and my Italian flatmates — quirks and all — definitely grew on me.

Student life

Faculty building of the University of Bolzano
Faculty of Educational Sciences

The Faculty of Education is in Brixen (about 30 minutes by train from Bolzano) and has a great mix of interesting and hands-on courses.

It was easy to meet other students, and I got a lot of insight into South Tyrolean traditions.

All the seminars were really practice-based, and the assignments often encouraged creativity. There were also some great electives that could be counted toward my degree.

Weekend trips

Colorful Italian houses at a sunny day
Bologna
Italian pizzas
Neopolitan pizza
Boats on the canal in Venice
Venice

We often caught early-morning Flixbuses for short trips around Italy.

My favourite stops were Rome, Venice, and Bologna—as you can see in the pictures, we were super lucky with the weather and had some of the best pizza ever.

Looking back

My semester abroad was six months packed with amazing moments, wonderful people, fast ski runs, and cozy cooking nights.

If you’re thinking about going abroad—do it! No matter where you go, the experience will help you grow.

Looking back, Bolzano was more than just a great addition to my future career — it was a truly meaningful personal experience.