In what year was the University of Bologna founded? University of Bologna: how the oldest university in Europe works

Prerequisites to form a university in Italy

In 476, under the blows of the barbarian tribes of the Germans, the Western Roman Empire fell - the center of not only the political, but also the intellectual life of the world in the era of antiquity. Actually, the history of antiquity ends with this event - a new era begins, which has received the name "Middle Ages" in historical literature. The British call the Middle Ages nothing more than dark ages, that is, "dark ages". Indeed, as the great Soviet historian Yevgeny Tarle wrote, “700-800 years separating the Western Roman Empire from the Renaissance are very meager with luminous dots, beacons and centers of Enlightenment.” These words fully apply to the whole of Europe and to Italy.

It is wrong to think that Italy has completely lost the traditions of Cicero and Virgil. Of the figures of the 6th-10th centuries, one can recall Cassidor, Boethius, Pope Sylvester, who, before taking such a high rank, was the brilliant mathematician Herbert. A certain rise in cultural life was caused by the so-called "Carolingian Renaissance". However, practically nothing remained of the former glory of science and belles-lettres.

The beginning of the 11th century radically changed this state of affairs. This is explained by the fact that at that time Italy became the scene of an irreconcilable struggle between the parties of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines - the parties of the Pope and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. To confirm their positions, both sides actively used works of journalistic genres. Such controversy led to a revival of the country's intellectual activity. This, and the position of the church (the clerics discovered a shortage of powerful intellectuals in their ranks and also contributed to the university boom) led to the emergence of a number of higher educational institutions in Italy.

University of Bologna

The University of Bologna is officially considered the first university not only in Italy, but also in Europe. Bologna is located in the region of Lombardy. Lombard trading cities have long been distinguished by the desire of noble and wealthy citizens, not quite typical for the Middle Ages, to give their children a good (at that time) education. According to ancient legend, already in 433, Emperor Theodosius founded a higher law school in Bologna. True, this legend is not trusted by scientists: most likely it was invented in the 13th century by those lawyers who wanted part of the university founded by that time to belong to the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.

Therefore, Pepo, the doctor of law, known in the annals as the legis doctor, is considered to be truly the first who took up teaching in Bologna. His lectures, however, were not particularly popular. But great heights were achieved by his follower Irnerius, who opened a special Bologna law school in 1088.

Irneria's lectures were not slow to bring quick popularity to the school. He had many students, among whom four doctors of law stand out in particular: Bulgar Martin, Gozia, Goog and Jacques de la Porte Revenante. Very soon the Bolognese professors became widely known and gained an advantage over other learned cities. There are several reasons for this success. First, the scientific advantages of the teaching method. Bologna jurists made a revolution in the study of Roman law: they studied and taught it not as an appendage to rhetoric, but as an independent subject, and, moreover, not in fragments, but in full. And secondly, the patronage of the German Emperor Frederick I, who was at the same time the king of Lombardy. The emperor was very interested in encouraging the study of Roman law, whose authority could always be relied upon in the event of various harassment by the crown.

In 1158, Frederick I solemnly agreed to grant from now on to everyone who came to Bologna the following benefits:

1. To travel freely throughout all countries under the auspices of his authority, without having therefore to be subjected to all sorts of troubles experienced by foreigners;

2. To be subject in the city exclusively to the court of professors or the bishop.

Bologna's location, its healthy climate, the wealth of the city, its very status thanks to its recent autonomy, all explain the reason for the extreme popularity of the law school. Along with the youth, people of mature age, often leaving their family, occupation, honorary position in their homeland, strive to Bologna to become scolarii. Children of crowned persons, and they were sent to this city to study law and fine arts. The popularity of the school is also explained by the fact that women were allowed into the bowels of the “Felzin Temple of Wisdom”, as the University of Bologna was called in the time of Irnerius and Accursius, and, most importantly, not only to listen to lectures, but also as teachers (lectresses).

The main feature that distinguishes the entire medieval university history has also been outlined: the corporate, guild principle was so strong in those days that the university, in essence, was two combined guilds. Both of these workshops, "learning" and "teaching", depending on the nation and the specialty of the persons included in them, were divided into smaller categories. In Bologna, in particular, there were four nations: Campanian, Tuscan, Lombard and Roman. The meeting of all student corporations under a common statute constituted the university in Bologna by the end of the 12th century. This university, which is (along with Paris, founded in the same era - 1200), the oldest in Europe, from the day of its formation had two special features arising from the very conditions of its formation:

1. It was not an association of professors (universitas magistrorum), to whose authority the students were to be exclusively subject. On the contrary, it was an association of students (universitas scholarium), which itself chooses leaders, to whom, in turn, professors report. Bologna students were divided into two parts: ultramontane and citramontane, each of which annually elected a rector; both parts participated in the administration of the university. Professors were chosen by students for a certain period of time, received a fee according to the condition, and were obliged not to teach anywhere except in Bologna. Being according to the statute, thus, depending on the university and being free only in the direction of the students' studies, they could gain authority and influence on the students solely by their personal qualities and pedagogical talents.

2. In contrast to the Parisian, which was originally devoted solely to theology, Bologna was legal. The study of Roman law, which laid the foundation for the university, as well as canonical law, introduced into the program from the 12th century, remained the main, if not exclusive, subjects of university teaching.

Medicine and liberal arts were taught there, indeed, during the 13th century. famous professors, but their students, nevertheless, were considered to belong to the Faculty of Law, and only in the fourteenth century. along with them, two other faculties were formed: medicine and philosophy, as well as theology.

The most brilliant period of the Bologna school of law was the period between the beginning of the 12th century. and the second half of the 12th century, covering the lectures of Irnerius and the teaching of glossing by Akcursius. During this period, a new method of teaching found the widest and most fruitful application, both in oral presentation and in the writings of glossators. During this long period, the most famous of the glossators, after the four doctors mentioned earlier, were: Placentinos, who worked chiefly on the code of Justinian and founded the school at Montpellier; Burgundio is one of the few glossators who knew Greek; Roger, Jean Bassien, Pillius, Azo (whose works were so popular that there was even a saying: "Chi non ha Azo, non vado a palazzo"; and, finally, Accursius, the most famous of the glossators.

Accursius passed on his love of practicing law to his children, and his daughter Dota d'Accorso, awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws by the university and admitted to public teaching, was the first of the women mentioned in the annals of the university.

During the period of the highest prosperity at the University of Bologna, law, along with jurisprudence, other sciences begin to flourish. So, to the trivium, the complex of sciences of the early Middle Ages, which consisted of grammar, rhetoric and dialectics, a quadrium was added in this era of the late Middle Ages: arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music plus (a little later) logic and mathematics. Other sciences also flourish here: philosophy, Latin and Greek literature and medicine.

However, after the rise comes the fall. Much contributed to this: the struggle of the Guelphs and Ghibellines and, as a result, the participation of university professors themselves in party strife; the gradual falling of professors under the influence of the city municipality, which claimed to regulate professorial teaching, regardless of the personal abilities of the teacher and the interests of science. Thus, the University of Bologna gradually lost its primacy in the teaching of law. To top it off, the most famous legalists gradually began to teach law already in Pisa, Perusa, Padua and Pavia.

During its existence, the Bologna school had a huge impact not only on Italy, but also on Western Europe. Through its methods and doctrine, it greatly updated the science of law, and exercised upon the legislation, the institutions, and the very ideas of European society a great influence which was felt throughout the Middle Ages.

The University of Bologna became the prototype for many other similar institutions in Europe. Moreover, he became the "initiator" of the formation of many law faculties (universities), both in Italy and abroad. The professors and students of Bologna scattered throughout Europe, spreading the science that they themselves had received there. So, in Italy, universities were formed in: Vicenza (1203), Arezzo (1215), Padua (1222). In France, the University of Montpellier was founded (1137).

Education of the University of Bologna 1158

Limarev V.N.

Medieval quarter of Bologna. University of Bologna.

In the center of the Italian Bologna, the spirit of the Middle Ages has been preserved, against the backdrop of early and late architectural heaps.

The ancient Roman aqueduct and modern new buildings are not the face of the city, they are interspersed in the architectural ensemble of the ancient city center.

History of Bologna:

From the end of the 6th century BC, Bologna, which was then called Felsina, was the capital of the Etruscan state. Numerous Etruscan necropolises (VI-IV centuries BC) have survived from this era in the city and its environs. From 189 BC, Bologna was under the rule of Rome. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ostrogoths, Lombards, Byzantines, Franks visited the city. The Frankish Emperor Charlemagne granted Bologna the rights of a free city. Since the 11th century, Bologna has been a self-governing city commune. In the XIII-XIV centuries in Bologna, as in many other cities of Northern Italy, a bloody struggle unfolded between the Guelphs (supporters of the Pope) and the Ghibellines (supporters of the emperor). As a result, in 1511 Bologna was incorporated into the Papal States, a theocratic state headed by the Pope.

The city was under the rule of the popes until 1797, when Napoleon's troops occupied Bologna. In the same year, it became part of the Cisalpine Republic, dependent on France, and in 1805, it became part of the Italian Kingdom. By decision of the Vienna Congress of 1814-1815, Bologna was returned to the papal throne.

In 1860, the city became the capital of the Romagna region as part of a united Italy.

If you came to Bologna with the aim of getting to know the city by train, then you do not need to spend time looking for transport to get to the city center, since ancient Bologna is located next to the station, you only need to focus on the medieval gate of Galliera, which was the entrance to the medieval city. Having passed through the gate, you will run into Montagnola park.

Go to the park, there are sculptural compositions with mermaids, these sculptures became the source of a romantic mood for me, before I plunged into the atmosphere of medieval Bologna. And then, moving along the famous portico galleries (antique wooden porticos in houses of the Roman era, Gothic arcades, Renaissance and Baroque arcades, almost all central streets are covered with porticoes, the total length of the porticoes is 38 km.), You will reach the city center.

For me personally, the city center is two medieval towers to the sky, one of them is almost 100 meters high. In the 12th century, the wealthy families of Bologna competed to see who could build the tallest tower. The Asinelli family built a tower of 97.2 meters, the tower deviated from the vertical by 2.2 meters.

This is the second unforgettable experience in Bologna, after the sculptures of Montagnola Park.

Third, the huge Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Petronius is the largest Christian basilica, built at the end of the 14th century.

But these sights of Bologna are mentioned less often in reference books, focusing the attention of visitors to Bologna on the fountain of Neptune; funny fountain, but didn't impress me. They also write a lot about the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world that is still active.

The University of Bologna became the center of my attention.

The University of Bologna arose at the turn of the 10th-11th century. In Bologna in the 11th century there was a "school of liberal arts". (Seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric (the ability to compose letters, legal documents), dialectics, arithmetic, astronomy (astrology), music, geometry (actually geography)

Later, under the auspices of Frederick 1 Barbarossa (1152-1190), the “emperor of the sacred risk of the empire of the German nation,” the university became an educational institution that emphasized the study of law, including rhetoric and Roman law, i.e. the University of Bologna became a law school.

Medicine and the liberal arts were taught there during the 13th century, but their listeners were nevertheless considered to belong to the law university, and only in the 14th century. along with them, two other universities were formed: 1) medicine and philosophy and 2) theology. A remarkable consequence of the purely juridical character of the University of Bologna was that it was not subject, like Paris, to the supreme administration of the popes, since there was no need for ecclesiastical permission to teach Roman law, which was required for theology.

Many students from Germany, the Czech Republic came to study at the University of Bologna ...

Students flocked from all over Europe to create corporations on the model of various craft and art workshops of that time. Corporations of students chose their leaders, to whom the professors were subordinate. Every year, a meeting of the corporations chose a rector and a council from various nationalities.

The teachers of the university occupied a high position in the city of Bologna. They were exempted from taxes and military service and, although not born in Bologna, received all the rights of citizens of this city.

A picture hangs at the university: Irnerius (1055-1130), professor of law, founder of the Bologna school of jurists. (see photo)

The University of Bologna has preserved medieval architecture in its external appearance and internal interiors. Inside the museum there are museum halls, which contain masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

The special design of the library of the University of Bologna, the entrance to which and the galleries are decorated with knightly coats of arms of the students of the university, with special reverence are kept the rarities of the university.

The University of Bologna is a museum - a museum of the history of the university and a museum of memory of prominent personalities who once studied here.

It was founded in 1088, becoming the guiding star of education in the Western world.

The oldest university in Western Europe. The most prestigious in Italy. Alma Mater Studiorum is one of the symbols of the world famous city. Because of his presence, the capital of Emilia is called "learned", in addition to the nicknames "fat" (because of the excellent cuisine) and "red" (according to the color of the bricks from which the palaces and towers of the historical center are built).

What we today call the University began to emerge in Bologna at the end of the 11th century, when teachers of grammar, rhetoric and logic turned to law.

1088 can be considered the year of the beginning of free and independent teaching in Bologna. At the end of the 11th c. teachers of grammar, rhetoric and logic began to study law, and the first significant figure was Irnerius, whose activity in systematizing Roman legal materials soon went beyond the boundaries of the city.

At first, students collected money that compensated teachers for their work - the so-called fees, on a voluntary basis, since science, a gift from God, could not be sold. Subsequently, such donations turned into real salaries. In any case, the students could not always afford to take part in the collections, then the Commune stepped in, ensuring the continuation of education.

The 11th and 12th centuries were characterized by a struggle for influence. It was a turning point in European politics, when relations between the state and the church were decided. In this struggle, questions of law were the basis, and the study of Justinian law became the basis for the identity of the Empire. In 1158 four experts in law, Bulgaro, Martino, Jacopo and Hugo were invited to Federico I Barbarossa for a meeting to show how political freedoms were respected in the Empire. Three of them (except Martino) were in favor of the Empire, and the only law was the Roman one, bequeathed by the Empire. As a result, Federico I Barbarossa adopted the Constitutio Habita, according to which each school was defined as a society of students led by a teacher. The empire guaranteed such an institution, as well as teachers, protection from any political intrusions. The university has legally become a place free from the influence of any authorities.

After the death of Barbarossa during the third crusade, he survived the fall of his protector. The commune tried to control the community, and the students, in order to resist this, united according to their origin. In Bologna there were citramontanes (Italians, but not Bolognese, Lombards, Tuscans and Romans) and ultramontanes (non-Italians, French living behind the Alps, Spaniards, Provencals, English, Burgundians, Normans, Catalans, Hungarians, Poles, Germans, etc. ). 13th c. was an era of contrasts. The university, overcoming thousands of difficulties and intervening in the political disputes of that time, fought for its autonomy, and the political authorities, in turn, tried to use it as a symbol of prestige. At that time there were more than two thousand students in Bologna.

History of the University in the Middle Ages

From the 14th century next to the law schools, the so-called "schools of the arts" appeared, where medicine, philosophy, arithmetic, astronomy, logic, rhetoric and grammar were studied. From 1364 they also began to study theology here.

Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarch, Guido Guinidzelli, Chino Pistoia, Cecco d'Ascoli, Enzo, Salimbene of Parma and Coluccio Salutati studied in Bologna.

In the 15th century the teaching of Greek and Hebrew began, at 16 - "natural magic", that is, experimental science. The philosopher Pietro Pomponazzi taught the laws of nature despite his beliefs in theology and philosophy. A representative figure in this period was Ulisse Aldrovandi, who contributed to the pharmacopoeia, the study of animals, fossils and various natural wonders, creating their classification.

In the 16th century Gaspare Tagliacozzi was the first to study plastic surgery. The golden period of Bolognese surgery coincides with the teaching of Marcello Malpighi in the 17th century, who used the microscope in anatomical studies.

The fame of the University of Bologna grew, even in the Middle Ages it spread throughout Europe: there were such famous personalities as Thomas Becket, Paracelsus, Raimund de Peñafort, Albrecht Dürer, Carlo Borromeo, Torquato Tasso and Carlo Goldoni.

Pico Mirandola and Leon Battista Alberti also studied in Bologna, studying canon law. Nicolaus Copernicus, in turn, studied papal law before he began research in astronomy.

After the industrial revolution in the 18th century The university actively contributed to the development of science and technology. At this time, the work of Luigi Galvani appeared, who, together with Alexander Volt, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Cavendish, became one of the founders of modern electrical engineering.

The period of the birth of the unified Italian state was an era of great upsurge for the University of Bologna and the emergence of such figures as Giovanni Capellini, Giosue Carducci, Giovanni Pascoli, Augusto Righi, Federigo Enriquez, Giacomo Chamician, Augusto Murri.

In 1888, the 800th anniversary of the Studium united all the universities of the world in honor of the Mother of all Universities, as everyone confirmed that it was from there that their roots, their common ideals and their progress stretched.

The university continued to occupy this position on the world cultural stage until the period between the two world wars, when reality opened up new avenues for research and education. also reached this new level of European scale and adopted the necessary innovations in the educational system.

University of Bologna today

In 1988, on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the university, 430 rectors from all over the world came to Bologna to celebrate this event. Alma mater, the mother of all universities, is now a key place of international importance, even if it has lost its primacy in research activities.

The classification compiled by QS "World University Rankings" placed it in 188th place in the world, the first among Italian, but still far from American ones like Harvard or MIT, or English Cambridge and Oxford.

University structure

At the moment, it has more than 85,000 students and has a special structure - "multicampus" - consists of five institutions: in Bologna (Bologna), Forli (Forlì), Ravenna (Ravenna), Cesena (Cesena) and (Rimini). It was also the first in Italy to have a branch abroad, in Buenos Aires, which offers postgraduate courses designed to deepen various aspects of the relationship between Latin America and the European Union.

The educational program of the University of Bologna covers all possible areas of knowledge, from basic to diploma and postgraduate. The courses offered are designed to meet the needs of the labor market and offer students a cultural and practical toolkit.

Pays considerable attention to research and international relations. Thanks to the work of research centers and laboratories and the high level of results obtained, the university annually shares its achievements and participates in various scientific competitions.

Applicants can also rely on contracts concluded with foreign individuals, firms for the provision of living and studying abroad and obtaining the corresponding degrees.

University faculties

Agrarian
Architectural
Industrial chemical
Faculty of Cultural Heritage Preservation
Economic
Economic (Forli)
Economic (Rimini)
Pharmaceutical
Legal
Engineering
Engineering (Cesena)
Literary and philosophical
Foreign languages and literature
Medico-surgical
Veterinary
Psychological
Communications
Mathematical and Natural Science
Physical culture
Political Sciences
Political Sciences "Roberto Ruffilli" (Forlì)
Statistical Sciences
Graduate School of Modern Languages for Translators

University of Bologna - address and contacts

st. Luigi Zamboni, 33 – 40126, Bologna

Tel.: +39 051.209.91.11 / 93.70

Fax: + 39 051.209.93.72

In Bologna, the university is located on the street. Zamboni. Thousands of students walk along this street from morning to evening. The area around is also full of places connected in one way or another with the university: cafes, stands, auditoriums. One visit to this street is enough to understand all the historical importance of this city and this university.

The central building, where the rector's office is located, is located at number 13, opposite the Poggi Palace (Palazzo Poggi). It has an auditorium dedicated to Carducci, who here listened to lectures on Italian literature.

Nearby, on Piazza Galvani, stands the building of the First University. Since 1838, the commune's library has been located in the palace, but its main treasure is hidden in the anatomical theater.

Lectures on anatomy are held in this hall made of spruce wood. Bombings during the Second World War destroyed most of it, but after that it was restored and recreated according to the original drawings. Today, without a doubt, the anatomical theater is one of the most outstanding proofs of the glorious university tradition in Bologna.

Julia, hello! You have been studying at the University of Bologna in Italy for 3 years now. Please tell us how and why you got the idea to study in Europe, why Italy and why this particular university?

Hi Sasha. I worked as a model and my contract was changed every three months. At that time, I was so tired of moving that I wanted something stable. And quite by accident one evening my friend wrote to me on Facebook. I complained about moving and suitcases, and he told me that he was studying in Italy and just sent a link.

Over the next two days, I re-read a ton of information and realized that I wanted to try. The University of Bologna is very famous all over the world, Nicolaus Copernicus studied there and it is considered one of the oldest universities. But the decisive thing was that foreign students can get a scholarship. At that time I already knew German and English. I never learned Italian, but 8 months seemed like enough time for me to try!

How was the admission process? What documents were needed, how did you submit them, in person or remotely, what were the difficulties?

I learned about the entire admission process on the forums. The guys talked about the past years of admission, I wrote down the sequence of the procedure. Difficulties arose with our Ukrainian embassy, which does not provide information online and answers very briefly to the questions posed. Very often I had to travel to Kyiv. Translation and apostille of all documents is also time-consuming and expensive. But, in general, these are not huge amounts, it is very feasible. You just need to start the process as early as possible, and keep your finger on the pulse everywhere. Communicate with those who are already studying, look for forums, people in social networks.

I submitted all the documents personally through the embassy in Kyiv, so I got acquainted with the same guys as me. I took their phones and asked them a lot of questions. No need to be shy, we are all in the same boat. By the way, I did many translations and apostilles remotely, since such services are now also provided.

Tell us what your specialty is, does it meet your expectations, what interesting subjects/lectures do you remember the most?

My specialty is called "Management, Innovation and Organization of Culture and Art". I should be given a diploma just because I say it all every time in Italian! My master's degree is entirely in English. In the group, all students are from different parts of the Earth, and this is the most amazing part of the course. There are many moments, I will write separately.

Negative sides:

The course is quite new, so some of the subjects seem like a stupid theory to me, inserted just because the Italians should have a certain number of subjects per year.
There are Italian professors who don't speak English very well, and their accent is so strong that you just can't concentrate.

Positive sides:

International group. In ours, we constantly arranged dinners, where everyone brought their traditional dishes. Constant communication with guys from many countries greatly expands my horizons. You get wholesale friends all over the world.
Many visiting professors and lecturers. For example, there was one professor who taught the film industry. And they wrote him straight out of Hollywood's movie advertising department. He looked accordingly: a tall, handsome man with a murderous smile. There has never been such an attendance in our course. He also taught wonderfully.
Since my faculty is economics, we were given practical assignments following the example of Harvard University. We were divided into groups and given a case, we had to discuss it in a group, find a solution and present it.
All these presentations are very training. As a result, there is no fear of speaking in public and the ability to make slides (from 10 pieces) on any topic appears. Even the dumbest.
Teamwork. It is very hardening, there are always those who slow down the work, but you need to work on deadlines.

Tell us about the financial side of your studies at the University of Bologna? How much does the training itself cost, is housing provided, are there any opportunities to compensate for the costs? Well, for example, scholarships, awards, budget places or something else?

Tuition costs approximately 3,000 euros per year. But, great news, if you carefully search everything on the sites in advance, then there is a sea of \u200b\u200boptions.

Firstly, special Erasmus and Erasmus + scholarships are allocated for studying in English for students. You need to pass the English-language SAT test, according to its results, a competition is held. There are programs where you just apply and they offer you 900 euros per month in scholarships.

Secondly, by submitting documents on income and family composition, you can also receive a reduction in payment, which will amount to 600 euros per month, or a hostel, or food in the canteen for 500 euros, or a scholarship for 5000 euros per year. Here's how lucky. Maybe all together, or maybe a croissant with poppy seeds, if you screw up with the documents.

Students can also apply for a job within the university structure. For example, work in libraries or computer labs. And also to be selected for a job as a tutor. This is such a kind of curator for newcomers, freshmen, foreigners.

But in general, if we talk about general impressions of education at the University of Bologna, how do you like it? Do you like / dislike, do you regret / do not regret, would you recommend this university to friends or not, and so on?

To be honest, everything has its pros and cons. I like that traveling greatly broadens one's horizons, brings a lot of new experience and new acquaintances. At the University of Bologna, everything has been different for a long time, they write an email to the teacher for a meeting or ask questions in an online chat. Access to information is also easier, everything is downloaded on special online platforms. Here the lectures are much more interactive, with films, slides, real life examples.

But, as always, there are professors of the old school, and you still have to listen to three-hour lectures in the first person, impatiently fidgeting in your chairs. Sometimes the bureaucratic system fails a little. For example, grades are not given on time, or to change a subject in the curriculum, you have to go around a dozen classrooms. It all depends on expectations and motivation. I'm sure you need to go. At any stage of our life, we need to take advantage of the opportunities provided.

Let's now move on from studies to Italy. Italian cuisine is famous all over the world. Tell me, what is your relationship with her? And are the Italian dishes served in cafes and restaurants, say, in your native Kyiv different from the same dishes in Italy?

At the very beginning, my relationship with her did not develop. “I don’t like pasta,” she said to her Italian flatmate, and he clutched his heart and said with a sigh: “Madonna!”

It is completely unacceptable not to drink wine and not eat pasta in Italy. When the same acquaintance in the first week of my stay watched me fish out ravioli from boiling water and put them on a plate, and then eat them right there (well, like dumplings, I thought, I caught it and ate it), he generally just entered the text, as in TV shows : "Santa Maria madre di Dio ..." And another 10 words, which briefly meant: "Who is it that mocks ravioli, the food of the Gods."

He went to the refrigerator, took out the cream, poured it over my ravioli, then cut the arugula on top of me with scissors, sprinkled with parmesan and exhaled saying that now it’s possible to eat. Because you can say that I got used to a lot of things for a long time. Besides, they have only sweet breakfast. No cereals and sandwiches with cheese. Only cookies, croissants, sweet cereals, and if you are looking after your figure, then sweet cereals with soy milk.

And then I met an Italian, we began to meet, spend a lot of time together, and I was finally convinced that Italians are food fascists. Their cuisine is very simple and it's great! From the simplest ingredients, when combined correctly, amazing dishes are obtained that do not require three approaches to the stove or everyone knows: “B squit rises in silence”, or: “You are not a hostess if you do not know how to cook borsch”.

Here, a summer lunch can be diced melon with boiled shrimp, well, very tasty! Or an arugula salad with parmesan and pear. The fish is baked in the oven with olives, capers and rosemary. By the way, in Italian cuisine, cheese and fish do not go together, they frown at the same time, just like looking at foreigners with pizza and cappuccino. Cappuccino is drunk only in the morning and only with something sweet. And, in general, now I can also talk long and tediously about Italian cuisine, I really like it and suit it, even how scrupulously Italians treat food. Here in any house you are always an invited guest for lunch or dinner, for them food is a social gathering, and the more people, the better. Because everywhere in Italy there are lunch breaks. They close the door, take out the tablecloth on the table, all sit down together and eat, chatting. Upon learning that in Ukraine there are usually no lunch breaks, and workers take turns eating, my boyfriend looked at me very sadly (just the sadness of the whole world in his eyes) and said so sympathetically: “But it’s so sad to eat alone.”

The Italians taught me one rule, that in every corner of the world you should eat only what is their specialty and what they know how to cook best here. In Bologna, you need to try pasta with ragout, fish and seafood in Pesaro, ravioli with pumpkin in Vicenza, and a huge steak in Florence. The same applies to my visits home, at home I eat only Ukrainian cuisine. I will never go to an Italian restaurant, just as I will not go either in Russia, or in Germany, or in France. Not only because it's wrong or wrong, but because for me Italian cuisine is a lot of people at the same table covered with a tablecloth, with some kind of quick lunch, cross talk and jokes, and also a discussion about what the tomatoes brought straight from Sicily, and the salad was brought by my uncle and he was just from the garden, and basil was added to the olive oil and chopped in a blender ... And, of course, “Che gusto!” (so tasty). Everything is like ours, only in Italian.

Do you have any personal life hacks, or maybe not personal, but well-known ones - how to make a choice among the variety of cafes and restaurants in Italy? So, suppose I came to Bologna for a couple of days, or to any other city, how can I decide where to go for delicious Italian food?

The difference between French and Italian cuisine is that in France you can eat tasty and delicious only if it's expensive. But in Italy, even a piece of pizza for a euro will be just licking your fingers. There is no pizza like in Italy anywhere. I mean the ingredients: here you can find pizza with potatoes, and with an egg, and with mayonnaise.

But the main life hack came to me from friends, a popular Italian proverb: “You can see a delicious restaurant in turn.” Well, it's simple and tasteful. Italians are very fond of eating out, so a lot of people (listen for Italian speakers, not tourists) is an indicator of quality. I advise you to move away from the central squares - here they are just for tourists usually, and go into the small streets nearby. And into the crowd, guys, into the crowd. Now, if there are a lot of tables, and it’s cramped so that you can “touch your sleeves” with your neighbors, the waiter runs like crazy, but is still smiling, you hear the laughter of the company behind, the menu is printed simply on an A4 piece of paper, or even written by hand, then you are in right place and at the right time. We ask for "specialita" (special dish of this evening), relax and order wine.

From which city or place would you advise those who have never been there to start their acquaintance with Italy? Trite from Rome or do you have any thoughts of your own on this matter? Can you suggest, say, a 10-day itinerary for a beginner?

Italy, of course, is very diverse. If you make a route from north to south, then I would visit the town of Como near Milan, there is a beautiful lake. In Milan - except to "check in" under the central church. Apart from shops and fairs, there is little to see here.

Then go to Verona (the city of Romeo and Juliet, of course), here is the wall of desires, here are small streets, wonderful concerts and even a statue of a bull. They say that if you leave a request for children there, then God will provide. From Verona for 2 or 3 euros you can move to the towns near Lake Garda and take a walk there.

Then Florence. It captures the spirit of grandeur and beauty. There are markets, a beautiful old bridge, lots of street artists and Chinese tourists. And, in general, Italian came from the ancient Florentine language, and therefore this city is a cultural capital.

Then Venice. Not because it's mainstream, and not because gondoliers are very sexy. Because it takes your breath away. I promise you that you will get lost, even with a GPS and a map, but you will never know such happiness from being lost again. She is the only one in the world, absolutely unique. Near Venice, there are very beautiful islands of Burano and Murano, if possible, they are also on the must-see list.

Then Bologna. Literally a day is enough here, but it is worth stopping by for gastronomic tourism - old, traditional osteria. Hams, cheeses, wines, hand-made pastas, Italian cooking courses, delicious gelato, and streams of young people and students.

So, then you can go to the Cinque Terre - this is a very photographed place in Italy with many colorful houses by the sea. Already here, your Instagram will start to stutter, but we will still finish it.

Of course, Rome. Be sure to eat carbonara pasta and go to the bridge of the angels. I would live on this bridge, I don’t know why, but I’m directly in love with it. Walking in Rome is not being, and who is dexterous and as cool as possible, then I advise Naples as the last place. Do not keep money in one place, a small handbag closer to your heart. We recall grandmother's advice about "money in panties." But it is truly a city of contrasts. This is where Neapolitan pizza began, so eat pizza right here! And wander along the embankment, they say that in the evening they show a stunning sunset ...

How is the English language in Italy? Will it be possible to explain it in non-tourist places, or will you have to improvise with facial expressions, gestures and a few words in Italian from the cinema?

You know, few people here speak English. You can handle it at the airport and train station. But on the street - far from always, it is very hard for them. And very surprising, because Italian is very difficult, solid poetry, not a language.

When do you think is the best time to visit Italy? Given the weather conditions, and the flow of tourists, and some other factors that can only be known to those living there? And what time, on the contrary, is the least successful in your opinion?

I think there are always a lot of tourists, but in my opinion the best time in Italy is spring. It is very long for them, and I noticed that it stays cool until the beginning of May. Now if you come in April - it's perfect. Here, hydrangeas and magnolias are blooming everywhere, flower shops are finally putting out vases of flowers on the streets. Tables are springing up on the streets near cafes and bars, and coffee is no longer so ordinary from drinking it under the spring sun. There are not as many tourists as in summer. The majority of people still have a love for Italy in summer, but as for me, in the spring it is simply magical, even if you go between cities and stare at the fields.

You said that in addition to Italy, you spent a whole year as an Au Pair in the USA. Please tell us what kind of program it is, what are the requirements, how did you get there and how do you evaluate this experience? I personally do not know anything about it, only heard the name.

Immediately after graduating from my university in Ukraine, I realized that I wanted more experiments. Americans, for example, have a so-called gap year, when they can travel and do whatever they want for a whole year. So I decided that I want to go to America, but how? And I found this program. It assumes that you have basic English and experience working with children, you go through questionnaires, interviews, and then you are offered a family in which you will live for a whole year. The bottom line is that you work as a nanny for them, you get paid about $ 1,000 a month for this, and at the same time you still have the right to take courses at the university and have paid vacation. That's how I left. In my case, the choice of a family went very quickly, I left literally a month and a half after my questionnaire was sent.

And what kind of family it was, in what city, how difficult it was to “join” there, and what kind of story is this with a vegetarian in the “house of burgers and sausages” ?

Okay, now a little about the veggie at the burger house. The first family I got into was purely American. And their frozen burger freezer was much larger than the refrigerator compartment. In terms of food, I did not feel very comfortable. In terms of educational methods, too. Therefore, after a month of being in their family, we simply decided to leave. It's called a rematch and I was sent for an interview with another family. After a month, I got an Indian family of vegetarians from the Americans, where the children dragged me books to read on the very first day. Their mother hugged me at the very first meeting and communicated with me very openly, I immediately felt very warm and comfortable next to them. I agreed and have never regretted my choice. They were amazing people and very loving parents.!

And finally, please share your plans for the future regarding travel. Maybe not even plans, but dreams. Work in the USA, study in Italy, what's next? What places attract you from those where you have not yet been able to visit and why?

My love for travel is endless. This summer, my friends even gave me a map to erase with a coin the countries I visited. And to be honest, when I did it, I realized how little I saw. I have already had the opportunity not just to be a tourist, but to live in some countries a little, and this unrealistically changes the mental turn.

From what I would like ... Hmm, to be honest, I really want to go to the citadel of Buddhism. And, for about a month. So, to see how they raise their children, what their beliefs are. I would like to know more about this belief, for some reason at this stage of my life it attracts me very much. And then, some trip to Peru. Also very exciting. Here's the plan so far! ;)

It was founded in 1088, becoming the guiding star of education in the Western world.

What we today call the University began to emerge in Bologna at the end of the 11th century, when teachers of grammar, rhetoric and logic turned to law.

History of the University in the Middle Ages

Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarch, Guido Guinidzelli, Chino Pistoia, Cecco d'Ascoli, Enzo, Salimbene of Parma and Coluccio Salutati studied in Bologna.

Pico Mirandola and Leon Battista Alberti also studied in Bologna, studying canon law. Nicolaus Copernicus, in turn, studied papal law before he began research in astronomy.

University of Bologna today

University structure

Applicants can also rely on contracts concluded with foreign individuals, firms for the provision of living and studying abroad and obtaining the corresponding degrees.

University faculties

Agrarian
Architectural
Industrial chemical
Faculty of Cultural Heritage Preservation
Economic
Economic (Forli)
Economic (Rimini)
Pharmaceutical
Legal
Engineering
Engineering (Cesena)
Literary and philosophical
Foreign languages and literature
Medico-surgical
Veterinary
Psychological
Communications
Mathematical and Natural Science
Physical culture
Political Sciences
Political Sciences "Roberto Ruffilli" (Forlì)
Statistical Sciences
Graduate School of Modern Languages for Translators

University of Bologna - address and contacts

st. Luigi Zamboni, 33 – 40126, Bologna

Tel.: +39 051.209.91.11 / 93.70

Fax: + 39 051.209.93.72

Nearby, on Piazza Galvani, stands the building of the First University. Since 1838, the commune's library has been located in the palace, but its main treasure is hidden in the anatomical theater.

(Dante Alighieri), is a true honor. And today, Italy remains a country in which higher education has its undeniable and attractive sides for students from all over the world.

Of course, in terms of popularity among foreign students, Italy is inferior to other European countries, and the Italian language is far from being a “means of international communication”. But this amazing country is strong in many ways:

higher education in Italy is, first of all, good educational traditions, cultural and spiritual growth;
it is Italian design and fashion that have gained international dominance and, as a result, Italy is the No. 1 country in the world for obtaining a diploma in this field;
the availability of education from an economic point of view varies from the choice of university and your income; the cost of studying at a state university varies from 600 to 3,000 euros per year, private universities set prices from 6,000 to 20,000 euros per year;
training is possible both in Italian and in English;
the principle of the education system is “academic freedom”: students do not take mandatory sessions every semester with mandatory attendance, but listen to a course of lectures and take an exam when it is convenient;
Another important point is that you are not only for the period of study, but also for at least another year after graduation to find a good job.

The higher education system in Italy consists mainly of universities, but there are other types of educational institutions - these are academies of fine arts, conservatories and two Pisan institutes. The vast majority of students study at Italian universities. In total, there are 47 public universities in Italy and 9 independent ones with a state license. The system of higher education can be conditionally divided into 3 levels:

Step. Corsi di Laurea - identical to the bachelor's degree, lasting 3 years.
Step. Corsi di Laurea Specialistica - specialist training programs, duration from 2 to 3 years, Corsi di Specializziazione di 1° livello - specialization programs and Corsi di Master Universitario di 1° livello - first level master's programs.
Step. Dottorto di ricerca - programs for the preparation of doctors of sciences, specializations and master's programs of the second level.

Universities in Italy have a "credit system" (CFU). University "credit" usually corresponds to 25 hours of study. Typically, a student "earns" 60 credits annually. For the entire academic period, the student needs to study about 20 disciplines, including compulsory and optional.

The academic year at the university begins in October-November and ends in May-June. During the year there are 4 sessions (January-February, April, June-July, September), during this period classes are suspended.

Each student decides for himself when and which exams to take, as students have the right to their own individual curriculum.

Examinations are written and oral, but with an important difference from our system in the absence of exam tickets. Thus, each exam requires a lot of self-preparation, since the lectures give only a small portion of what you need to know. Far from everyone copes with the exams: only three out of ten students reach the diploma.

Requirements and procedure for admission to universities in Italy

Anyone can enter the University of Italy, if he satisfies all the conditions of admission. Applying to universities in Italy is definitely worth it in advance.

Unhurried Italians consider documents for a long time, but you still need to have time to prepare documents and get a visa.

Applications for admission are submitted through the Italian Embassy in your country, where you need to send your documents and questionnaires before the end of February.

Step-by-step instructions for admission to a citizen of Belarus

For admission to the university of Italy for Belarusians there are general rules (12 years of education). The school system in the Republic of Belarus implies 11 years of schooling, respectively, it is necessary to complete at least 1 year of a college, technical school, university or other educational institution.
From the university (or other educational institution) we take a certificate and an academic certificate. Only here's the catch: an academic certificate is given only in case of expulsion. But some Universities give the so-called "extract from the record book", which is equal to the same academic certificate. THE DOCUMENT MUST BE ON THE UNIVERSITY LETTERSHIP WITH THE STAMP SEAL (or on a copy of this official form) AND WITH THE SIGNATURE OF THE RECTOR or any of the vice-rectors. Otherwise, the document will not be apostilled!
We bring these 2 documents to the Ministry of Education in Minsk for an apostille. The cost of one apostille: 35,000 Belarusian rubles (2010). We submit from 9 to 11 am at 9 Sovetskaya St. Apostille production time: 24 hours. When submitting, you are given a piece of paper, be sure to keep it for receiving documents.
We bring all these documents to accredited translators (Nina Kirillovna Alekseeva Tel. 204-72-46, mob. Phone 233-63-55, mob.8-029-773-63-55
Minsk, st. Kakhovskaya, 27-16 metro station Yakub Kolas Square; Svetlana G. Golovko Tel. 284-85-06, mob. 8-029-684-85-06 Minsk, Nezalezhnosti ave. Kizenkov Sergey Pavlovich Tel./fax 247-68-86, mob.8-029-337-07-07 Minsk, Rokossovsky Ave., 76-178 October) ATTENTION! We have the right to apply for translation only to them and no other translation agencies !!! Translation cost: 30,000 rubles for 2000 characters. Production time 1-3 days. On average, the certificate costs 30 thousand rubles. Certificate for 1 year - 30 thousand rubles.
We submit documents for legalization to the embassy. Legalization takes 1 day. Reception Mon, Wed, Fri from 9 to 11.30 (through the main entrance, in a special window). I remind you that the embassy is located at the address: Minsk, Rakovskaya st. 16b. More detailed information about the embassy can be found in the article “VISA TO ITALY FOR BELARUSIANS. HOW TO OPEN IN MINSK INDEPENDENTLY?” or on the embassy website: www.ambminsk.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Minsk
We are waiting for the MIUR calendar. We arrive at the embassy at the specified time and fill in the modello (the consul helps and dictates).
We are waiting for an invitation from the university, which usually comes in July - early August. An invitation with a visa application will be sent to your e-mail.
In August we apply for a visa (until August 15).
Upon arrival in Italy, you need to appear at the police station for registration and registration of a residence permit (you must have a document confirming your financial capabilities with you).

Documents required for obtaining a student visa

Passport valid for at least three months after the expiration date of the requested visa;
Invitation from the University;
Visa request form;
Photo of the appropriate format;
Documentation relating to their own economic situation, or parents, if they are dependent:
a) documents from a school or university, or from a place of work;
b) documents confirming the employment of parents, while being dependent on them;
c) documents confirming the ownership of real estate or the possession of an annuity, life payments or other sources of income;
d) statements from bank accounts or credit cards;
e) income declarations or documents confirming the payment of taxes, company balance sheets
Financial means necessary for living, for the entire stay in Italy. At least 417.30 euros for each month of the academic year;
One-way ticket or reservation, you can read “ ” about transportation methods;
Documents confirming the availability of housing in Italy;
Medical insurance policy valid in all countries of the European Union.

How to choose a university in Italy

In my personal example, the choice of the university was not so relevant, since there was little information on this issue. But thanks to the advice of the consul, having entered the State University of Milan - Bicocca, I was very satisfied with both the university and the cost of education.

Università degli studi di Milano - Bicocca

- Bicocca founded in 1998. In total, there are 17 buildings on the territory of the university, which offer students 195 classrooms, 46 linguistic and computer centers, 3 large libraries, 2 dormitories. The university also offers 226 laboratories, and all of them are included in the cultural network that is most closely connected with the economic and social life of the city. Research centers cooperate with a system of exhibitions and seminars, with a social and state program aimed at the development and protection of various branches of knowledge, but especially at a developed business community, which generally ensures the competitiveness and continuous development of the University of Milan - Bicocca.

More than 32,000 students study at the university, and education is conducted at eight faculties. The main areas of study: tourism economics, business organization and management, economics and law, statistics, health, media and journalism, social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, psychology and pedagogy.

The territory of the university is a whole district of the city called Bicocca, located in the north. On the territory of Bicocca you can find everything: shops, bars, restaurants, entertainment centers, cinemas, gyms, swimming pools, canteens, theatre, libraries and much more. Bicocca is sort of a small town within a city.

The university described above turned out to be my choice without a choice, but for your consideration I want to offer the most popular universities among Italian students.

www.unimib.it

Università di Roma "La Sapienza"- is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second largest university in Europe. It was founded in 1303. The University of Rome offers students more than 300 undergraduate programs, more than 250 professional master's programs, 119 postgraduate and over 150 doctoral programs, 6 of which award an international doctorate.

Today, 170 thousand people study in it, including foreign students. 4,200 people teach at 14 faculties of the temple of knowledge, among them the best professors in Italy.

There are 69 specialized schools and 1604 advanced training courses at the university. Status - state, language of instruction - Italian, English. At this university, you can study Ludovico Quaroni Architecture, Valle Giulia Architecture, Economics, Humanities and Philosophy, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Psychology, Statistics, Political Science, Humanities, Sociology, Pharmacology and more. The University of Rome is the first in Italy for the teaching of technical sciences.

Official website of the University of Rome: www.uniroma1.it

L'Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi

L'università Commercial Luigi Bocconi- a private institution of higher education in Milan, graduating specialists in the field of economics, jurisprudence and management sciences.

The university is recognized as one of the world's leading schools of business administration, and the teaching itself is conducted in English, along with traditional curricula in Italian.

University official website: www.unibocconi.it

Universita degli studi di Milano

Universityà degli study di Milano- founded in 1924, and initially consisted of 4 faculties: law, literature and philosophy, medicine and surgery, natural, mathematical and physical sciences.

Today it offers 9 Faculties, 137 courses (bachelor's and master's), 20 Doctoral Schools and 74 Schools of Specialization. The 2,500 faculty members represent the highest concentration of scientific expertise in the region, and research is ranked the highest among universities in Italy and Europe.

The departments of the university are housed in important historical buildings in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Campus. Research works, publications of the University of Milan are of scientific value, as well as numerous research centers (77 in total).

University official website: www.unimi.it

Universita degli Studi di Siena, UNISI- located in Tuscany - one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Originally called the Studium Senese, the University of Siena was founded in 1240. Siena is a city of students. The University of Siena welcomes students from all over the world!

The University has approximately 20,000 students, almost half of the total population of Siena. Today, the University of Siena is famous for its School of Law and Medicine.

The University consists of eight Schools:

Economy
Engineering
Humanities and Philosophy
jurisprudence
Mathematical Physical and Natural Sciences
Medicine and Surgery
pharmaceuticals
Political Sciences.

The university has an excellent organization of services for students: a hostel, a canteen.

University official website: www.unisi.it

Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano is the largest technical university in the country and is the oldest in Milan. It was founded on November 29, 1863. In 2009, Italian researchers recognized it as the best in Italy in terms of scientific production and attractiveness to international students.

Today, the Polytechnic University of Milan teaches more than 42,000 students in the field of engineering, architecture and industrial design, consists of 17 faculties and 9 schools.

On the territory of the university in a total area of 350,000 square meters there are 355 modern laboratories and 42 libraries. The university itself is located on 7 main campuses in the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. The university pays special attention to international projects for foreign students. So, 2 bachelor's courses, 10 master's courses and 12 master's programs are conducted exclusively in English.

The faculty consists of 1,200 full-time professors and researchers and about 1,300 contract professors. Interestingly, many scientists working at the Polytechnic University are award-winning and recognized by the scientific community.

Official website of the Technical University: www.polimi.it

Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan - at the same time provides art education in Italy and is the cultural center of the northern part of the country. As a private institution, the Milan Academy of Fine Arts provides undergraduate studies in English in the fields of Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Art Direction.

In addition, the private university conducts summer educational programs in such in-demand specialties as fashion marketing, fashion design, fashion photography and interior design.

Academy official website: www.naba.it

When choosing a university, also take into account your level of language proficiency, since in one institution you will have to take a test, in which case your knowledge should be at the advanced level, and in another university you will only be interviewed to make sure that you understand the language. In this case, a basic knowledge of the language will be sufficient.

If you have any doubts about admission, I will be happy to answer in the comments or in my group on

Portal for the student. Self-training

Education of the University of Bologna 1158

History of the University in the Middle Ages

University of Bologna today

University structure

University faculties

University of Bologna - address and contacts

History of the University in the Middle Ages

University of Bologna today

University structure

University faculties

University of Bologna - address and contacts

Requirements and procedure for admission to universities in Italy

Step-by-step instructions for admission to a citizen of Belarus

Documents required for obtaining a student visa

How to choose a university in Italy

Università degli studi di Milano - Bicocca

L'Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi

Universita degli studi di Milano

Politecnico di Milano

RELATED ARTICLES