“The Palace Is a Dream”

Marco, where are you from, and how did you grow up?

I’m from the Italian city of Padua, which is near Venice. Right after graduating from high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I took some time off. First, I worked as an au pair in Frankfurt for ten months. There, I was able to further improve my German skills, which I had acquired in school. After that, I lived on a sailboat in Croatia for a few months and gained my first work experience as a bartender in Italy.

What made you decide tostudy at the University of Mannheim?

During my gap year, I explored topics like emotions and motivation in depth and subsequently decided to study psychology. Although the best university for psychology in Italy is in my hometown of Padua, I was looking for a new challenge and really wanted to study in Germany. I was also drawn to the idea of studying in German as a special challenge: Since most of my friends abroad study in English, I deliberately wanted to take a different path. Since the University of Mannheim came highly recommended, I ultimately applied here.

What was your first impression of the University of Mannheim, and how does life in Germany differ from life in Italy?

My first impression was that the palace looks truly beautiful—almost like a dream. But I was surprised because there are significantly fewer in-person classes here at the university than in Italy. For me, however, the biggest difference lies in the closeness of human relationships. I come from a small village in Italy where everyone knows everyone else and people greet each other on the street as a matter of course. Here, I also live in a small village just outside Mannheim, but it’s different: people don’t just greet each other on the street like that. That took some getting used to at first, since I would have liked that kind of close social contact.

How did you manage to settle in here, make friends, and avoid feeling lonely? What tips would you give to other international students?

I was lucky and rarely felt alone, since my knowledge of German allowed me to integrate quickly and make friends right away. Still, there were moments when I felt lonely. But you shouldn’t compare new friendships to old ones. So my tip is to be open to meeting new people and not to make direct comparisons with people you’ve known your whole life. I also recommend joining a group or organization where you can meet lots of people and do activities together. Sports and learning the language also really help you settle in. If you make an effort, others will be much more open to you, too. And when I miss home, I sometimes call Italian friends I’ve met here in Mannheim, and we go out to eat together, cook together, and speak Italian.

What does a typical day look like for you as a student?

I get up at 7:30 a.m. and work out. After that, I usually study, go to college, or work as a tutor. In the evenings, I often meet up with friends or go to soccer practice. I’m also active in the VaPassion initiative, which helps students discover their passions, actively pursue them, and recognize how their interests can be reflected in their professional careers. That’s why I’m almost always out and about in the evenings—whether with friends, at soccer, or as part of the initiative.

What are your hobbies?

I play soccer, both for a club and in the university league, and I’m the captain of “Only Football,” an international team we founded so that international students can play together. Through this, you learn a lot about teamwork and leadership. In my free time, I’m also interested in art and visit the Kunsthalle whenever possible. Architecture fascinates me as well, as does music, even though I no longer play an instrument. I love sailing and have a sailing license.

Do you already know what you’ll do after you finish your bachelor’s degree? Do you plan to stay in Mannheim?

I think I need a new challenge again. First, I have to decide whether I want to work in research or in business. If it’s business, I’ll probably choose a business school in France because I’d also like to learn French. If, on the other hand, I decide on research, I’d like to pursue a master’s degree, for example, at Cambridge or Oxford. Of course, I’d have to be accepted first, but I believe I can do it.

This text was translated from German by DeepL

Interview: Ilayda Aydemir I July 2026