Interview about the Double Dregree Programme
During winter semester 2025/2026 Danilo and Giacomo, two students from the University of Calabria, were the first to take part in the University of Würzburg’s Double Degree Programme.
Dr Francesco De Anna and Dr Robert Hartmann interviewed the two students at the end of the semester:
Hi Danilo and Giacomo, you made it! You have completed your first semester in Würzburg. Huge congratulations! How would you sum up your experience in Würzburg so far in just a few words?
Thanks, yes, we did it! With few words? International, welcoming, and full of opportunities. Würzburg opened so many doors for us in Europe and really gave us a fresh perspective. The location is great: just a quick trip to Frankfurt, and from there, you can go anywhere. We just spent last weekend in Amsterdam! Being here made us feel more European.
Let us talk about your expectations before coming to Würzburg. Were they met? Do you feel it has been valuable so far?
Of course! We were excited about this programme from Cosenza, but we initially thought Würzburg might be a big jump. We were a bit nervous about the language, a new culture, maybe solving problems on our own. The university environment, however, turned out to be incredibly warm and inclusive. Our expectations were exceeded. The professors here are very approachable, and we had plenty of networking opportunities, also beyond our courses. All the staff has been incredibly helpful, and we could experience a little bit of the academic life at the institute.
How did you find the variety of courses available? Was it easy to find a professor for your thesis who matched your interests?
The institute here in Würzburg offers a wide variety of courses. We took one in numerics, one on analysis focusing on interpolation theory, and another on Lie theory. There were also many other options, from theoretical to applied fields. All courses can be taught in English if requested. The professors provided us excellent materials, including their own personal notes.
As for the thesis, we found it relatively easy to find a topic. One of us chose a professor directly from one of our courses, while the other explored the various research interests at the institute.
How does the teaching style in Würzburg complement the one in Cosenza?
We like both universities. Maybe the teaching style in Würzburg is more research-oriented and interactive compared to Cosenza. Here, there is a stronger emphasis on independent study and group projects. Cosenza prepares you very well in theoretical aspects. In their differences, Würzburg and Cosenza complement each other. Moreover, the library in Würzburg is very rich. The resources available made our studies much simpler.
Did this experience change some of your perspective on what you want to do after your degree (PhD/industry)? How?
To a certain degree, yes, this experience did change some perspective. First, being in Würzburg showed us how valuable international experiences are, even just for boosting our CV, regardless of what we pursue afterward. In terms of PhD opportunities, Würzburg definitely made us more confident. We realized that, on a European level, having a good network makes finding opportunities much more achievable than we thought. We also saw how rewarding research can be in a supportive environment like this.
Let us talk about life outside the university. What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
We traveled a lot! We took full advantage of the Deutschland Ticket for affordable travel. Würzburg is a perfect city for students. We recently visited an escape room with friends, and it was a lot of fun. The city is very international, so it is easy to meet people from all over the world. We would recommend joining student groups and taking weekend trips to nearby cities like Munich. Moreover, Würzburg is surrounded by nature, and in spring it is simply stunning.
We are really happy you took part in our programme. What would you say to students in Cosenza who are worried to go abroad?
Do not hesitate to apply, you are more than good enough! The institute here in Würzburg is truly welcoming, the courses are accessible, and this international experience is a game changer. We do not regret a single aspect of coming here.
Why should German students join the programme and spend one or two semesters in Cosenza?
The sun! The campus in Cosenza is like a village of students, it is easy to connect to others. Italians are generally very open and welcoming. There are many classes in functional analysis and PDE, with applications to physics, especially in summer semester. Professors are very welcoming and all classes are taught in English.
