Rucsandra completed her Master's in International Cooperation and Development at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. We caught up with her to discuss her personal experience navigating the search and application process for international studies.
About you
My name is Rucsandra Moisa, I am 24 years old, and I am originally from Romania.
I am currently enrolled in the Master’s degree program in International Cooperation and Development at the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations (ASERI) at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Milan, Italy.
This one-year program is taught entirely in English and commenced in January 2015. I am currently completing an enriching internship in Santiago, Chile.
Choosing a university
When I began exploring Master’s programs abroad, my primary criteria were the relevance and quality of the curriculum, the professional orientation of the coursework, and the reputation of the academic staff.
Additionally, I was eager to join a diverse, international community to broaden my perspective. My top considerations included the University of Kent (Brussels campus), the University of Maastricht, and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC).
I ultimately chose UCSC because it perfectly aligned with my priorities and offered an integrated internship program that was directly relevant to my field of study.
Moving to Italy was not something I had initially envisioned, but Milan proved to be an incredibly exciting destination—especially with events like EXPO 2015, fashion weeks, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit—making the experience truly remarkable.
Milan is a vibrant hub featuring world-class universities, global organizations, and rich historical architecture, including the Duomo di Milano, which is the third-largest cathedral in Europe and an architectural masterpiece.
The Online Result platform was instrumental in my research, providing essential university details, program overviews, and direct access to official institution pages, which helped me narrow down my choices effectively.
Regarding language proficiency, I did not need to take a specific test because my undergraduate degree was completed in the UK, which served as sufficient proof of my English language skills.
Book an IELTS test in your country!
Recommendations
Studying abroad can be daunting as you navigate new cultures, languages, and bureaucratic systems. However, with patience and curiosity, these challenges become stepping stones. Always remember: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
My family generously financed both of my degrees abroad, and I am deeply grateful for their support. Through five years of international living, I have developed strong skills in budgeting, organization, and time management.
Before you embark on your own study abroad journey, I suggest the following tips:
- check your personal/family financial situation
- search for available scholarships programmes (partial or full), such as the EU, Fulbright, Governments etc.
- get informed on price ranges in the country of your choice of university fees, accommodation, maintenance, and food and put together a preliminary budget
- decide what actions you need to take when you are abroad in order to keep your monthly budget under control.
How was your overall experience?
I would rate my experience in Milan a 9 out of 10, as the academic program exceeded all of my expectations.
I flourished in a stimulating international environment with 25 students representing 16 countries and benefited from lectures delivered by both university professors and global industry professionals. While the workload was heavy and limited my travel opportunities, it was worth the effort.
Overall, this was an incredibly enriching experience. I learned Italian, discovered the beauty of Milan, and formed wonderful connections. I highly recommend both UCSC and the city of Milan for anyone considering an international study program.
I have no regrets, though if I were to repeat the experience, I would focus on interacting more with the local community to further refine my Italian and gain deeper cultural insights.
One pleasant surprise was how exceptionally well-organized my university was. Despite common stereotypes about Italian administration, my experience was seamless and highly professional throughout the duration of my Master’s program.
I wish everyone looking to pursue an international degree the very best of luck!
Were you inspired by Rucsandra‘s story?
Never miss another updates!
Get the fastest exam results, recruitment news, and educational guides delivered directly to your phone.