Where did you go for your period abroad, how long did you stay, and why did you choose that destination? Please give a short description.: I spent my six-month period abroad at TU Delft in the Netherlands. I chose TU Delft because it is one of the leading universities in Europe, and its research vision was strongly aligned with my academic goals. I was particularly drawn to the work being carried out in the 3D Geoinformation group, which is doing outstanding research in 3D city modelling and urban flow analysis. For me, it was the ideal place to learn, collaborate, and grow as a researcher.
What were your first impressions of the university, your supervisor, and the research team? Did you feel integrated into the group?: My first impression of TU Delft was extremely positive. The university offered a stimulating and professional work environment, but at the same time it felt open, friendly, and collaborative. My supervisor was very approachable, open to new ideas, and always supportive in the best possible way. The research team was welcoming, cheerful, and inclusive, which made it easy to feel integrated from the very beginning. I especially enjoyed the regular research discussions, where everyone shared their work and built on each other’s ideas in a very inspiring way.
Did you face any challenges during your time abroad? If yes, what were they, and how did you address them? What practical advice would you give to future students—especially about administration, funding, or country‑specific opportunities?: Moving to a new country always comes with challenges, especially when the stay is only for six months. Settling in quickly, managing practical matters, and adapting to a new environment required energy and flexibility. At the same time, I believe that as researchers we learn to face uncertainty with curiosity and resilience, and that mindset helped me a lot. I found the Netherlands to be a very welcoming country, full of opportunities and supportive for international students and researchers. My practical advice to future students would be simple: stay organised, listen carefully to the administration, and complete paperwork early, because good administrative preparation really makes the whole experience much easier and smoother.
What are your plans after returning to Italy? Did your time abroad enrich your research and personal growth? If yes, how? Do you feel you contributed meaningfully to your host university, and in what ways?: After returning to Italy, I plan to continue advancing my research in line with my PhD objectives and build on the work developed during my time abroad. This experience enriched me both scientifically and personally. It strengthened my research skills, expanded my perspective, and gave me more confidence in working in an international academic environment. I also feel that I contributed meaningfully to the host university. Through my work, I supported the development of a new branch in 3D geometry reconstruction, especially for complex structures such as hanging bridges and overpass-like elements, which are usually difficult to reconstruct using airborne LiDAR data. This helped make the reconstruction of undercut elements easier and more effective.
What aspects of the local culture stood out to you whether something you loved or found challenging? Did you have a favourite place to spend your time, and how did you make the most of your free time?: One of the things I loved most about the Netherlands was the bicycle culture. I had heard that Dutch people enjoy cycling, but seeing it as such a natural part of daily life was really impressive. Going to the office by bicycle was something I genuinely enjoyed, and I appreciated how strongly it reflected a sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyle. In my free time, I explored several cities, including Leiden, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht, and Amsterdam. My favourite was Leiden, because of its calm atmosphere, beautiful streets, and unique charm. I also enjoyed travelling by local transport, especially trams, admiring Dutch architecture, and spending time in local weekly markets.
Where are you studying in Italy, and what motivated you to pursue a PhD?: I am pursuing my PhD at IUSS Pavia, Italy. What motivated me to start this journey was a deep curiosity about the relationship between the atmosphere and human life. I have always been fascinated by how atmospheric conditions such as wind, turbulence, and air quality affect people, infrastructure, and daily life, and also by how human activities influence the atmosphere in return. This scientific curiosity gradually grew into a strong research interest and inspired me to pursue a PhD, with the aim of contributing to safer, healthier, and more sustainable environments.