Eesti
- Introduce yourself shortly.
I’m Marta Volterrani, I’ll be 21 years old on Sunday 22nd, and I’m an Erasmus student at EBS from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.
- Why did you choose Estonia and EBS for your Erasmus exchange program?
My choice was Tallinn because I was looking for a remarkable change in my habits: Estonia’s culture is totally different from the Italian, as much as the study method, the daily routine, the city, the traditions, and the weather too…
- What are the biggest differences between Italy and Estonia for you?
As I said before, quite everything is different here in Estonia for us Italians: starting from the dinner time (in Italy usually you won’t have dinner before half past 8pm, here in Tallinn kitchens close at 22 so you better go early if you want to have dinner in a restaurant), or people’s attitude (you don’t really say hello to someone you care if you don’t hug him in Italy, here I’m counting on my fingers of a hand how many hugs I’ve earned from an Estonian friend since I arrived here), to, of course, the weather: Tallinn is giving me the best cloudy skies I’ve ever seen, whether it’s raining or that there’s the sun, clouds are crazy, and even if sometimes it might seem sad, you really can’t appreciate the sun or the colours of the sky on a sunny day as much as I do since I’m here in Estonia.
- What is the best thing about travelling and living abroad?
When you realize that travelling is the answer, Erasmus becomes for sure the best experience of your life. I’m living in another country from the inside, not as a tourist, and this new country is teaching me something that I’d never learned in other ways; I’m improving my English, and learning basic Estonian words as well (can you imagine the faces of my friends when I’ll thank them with a spontaneous “aitäh” as I come home, or how many time I’ll say “tere!” instead of “buongiorno”?); I’m meeting people from all over the world, creating a network of friends (should I say family instead?) with whom I’m collecting some of the best memories of my life; and living far away from home is one of the biggest life-lessons I have ever attended.
- What are the differences between Bocconi University and EBS?
Bocconi University and EBS have many differences: the study method, for example. In Bocconi we have a lot of frontal lessons, in which the professor will explain everything you need to know about that field; taking one midterm exam and the final exam are usually the only ways to be evaluated. In here, there are totally different evaluation methods, depending on the subject you are studying: at EBS you have tons of weekly home assignments, written essays, case studies, group presentations, quizzes, tests and so on. Moreover, Bocconi has more than 15 thousand students and a huge campus with different buildings, EBS instead is way smaller, so also the relationships inside are more familiar.
- Tell us about Bocconi Student Council and your experiences as a member.
Bocconi Student Council is another difference from EBS: ours is divided in several associations which deal with different fields. We have one about food, one about music, another about wine, in addition to groups that deal with the university representation (quite more linked to the administrative management of the university itself), and many more. I’m part of the Luxury Bocconi Student Society, and our primary goal is to plant the seeds for entrepreneurial opportunities in the retail and luxury goods industry. We organize lectures, workshops, meetings with luxury start-ups or fashion brands, in order to be part of the luxury business world already during our university years.
- If you could have a superpower what would you like to have?
If I could choose one superpower it would be reading minds for sure, it would give me an incredible advantage on everything!
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
In 10 years I see a Marta-the-career-woman, obviously in some fashion company, with a lovely family, a beautiful penthouse, a lot of journeys planned, happily-ever-after.
- Your favorite quote.
The quote of my life is in Italian and it says “chi si ferma è perduto”, literally “he who hesitates is lost”, that’s why I’m spending my life running fast, never stopping, aiming straight towards the goal, and I’m sure I’ll win the race ☺
Translator: Triin Tikk
Editor: Kart Mättikas
Photo: Marta Volterrani
