When you imagine studying fashion in Italy, you might picture runways in Milan and centuries-old streets filled with style. For 28-year-old Veronika Lugo from Miami, Florida, that image became reality when she began a two-year Master’s in Fashion Culture at the University of Bologna’s Rimini campus.
What you’ll learn from Veronika’s story
- Veronika’s experience shows that choosing a study abroad programme is like assembling an outfit: you consider the fabric (the curriculum), the fit (the location and culture), and the price.
- She used Studyportals to sift through options, weighed her budget carefully, and found a scholarship that made her dream possible.
- Along the way, she discovered that Italy’s fashion heritage, combined with an international classroom, offered much more than she expected.
Finding the right programme
Veronika was clear about her priority: she wanted a course that focused on fashion culture. “The main priority for my choice of university was first and foremost the academic programme,” she explains. Few universities in the European Union offer this specialisation, so she widened her search.
Using Studyportals, she researched programmes across Europe and the United States. The University of Bologna’s Fashion Culture and Management programme stood out because it matched her interests and offered a scholarship.
She also considered the University of Glasgow and Washington State University. Ultimately, the scholarship from Bologna tipped the scales. Choosing between offers felt like comparing collections from different designers: each had its own strengths, but Bologna’s financial support made the decision practical as well as stylish.
Why study Fashion in Italy
Initially, Veronika focused solely on the curriculum. “The location was something I wasn’t putting in the equation,” she admits. Once she was accepted, she realised how well Italy suited her field. Italy is known for its contribution to fashion; studying there was like learning art history in Florence.
“Italy is known for fashion and the decision to study here seemed the most logical.”
Being based in Rimini, a city close to many cultural hubs in the Emilia‑Romagna region, meant she could explore Italian culture beyond the classroom. She describes the choice to study in Italy as the “most logical” step — a natural extension of her academic goals.
How Studyportals helped her choose
“Studyportals helped me research many different programmes and ultimately led me to find the University of Bologna,” Veronika says. The platform allowed her to compare universities by subject, language and cost.
Without it, she might not have discovered a programme so well‑suited to her interests. She sums up her gratitude with a simple “Grazie Mille” to Studyportals, underscoring the role of good research tools in making informed decisions.
Navigating admissions and language requirements
Because English is her first language, Veronika didn’t need to take a language test. This freed her to focus on other parts of the application, like preparing for interviews and gathering documents.
For students whose native language isn’t English, she would recommend starting test preparation early, using free resources where possible, and balancing study time across all sections of the exam.
Living and studying in Rimini
Veronika now studies at the Rimini campus, close to other cities in Emilia‑Romagna. This location offers her a rich blend of culture and lifestyle. She rates her experience an 8 out of 10 so far. The combination of an international classroom and Italian fashion heritage creates a learning environment that feels both global and local.
She also found that the programme’s international cohort gave her the chance to learn from classmates from different backgrounds, enriching discussions and collaborations.
Financing her studies
Veronika financed her education through a scholarship from the University of Bologna and another from the Italian government agency ER.GO. She emphasises the importance of applying early for scholarships, housing, and visa paperwork.
Students from the United States, she notes, should “leave ample time to apply for scholarships, housing, and other bureaucratic processes at the Consulate of the country you choose to study in.” Planning ahead is like tailoring a garment: careful measuring and cutting ensure a comfortable fit.
Advice for students from the United States
For American students considering study abroad, Veronika advises starting preparations well in advance. Scholarship deadlines, visa appointments and housing applications can be unpredictable, so it’s wise to give yourself extra time.
She also highlights the value of looking beyond well‑known destinations. Programmes in Italy, for example, offer unique cultural and professional opportunities that might not appear in the most obvious search results.
What she learned and what surprised her
Veronika wouldn’t change anything about her journey. She took time to choose the right programme and secure funding before committing. Her biggest surprise has been the friendships she formed quickly.
“It is amazing how kind and generous everyone is in my programme,” she says. The international environment turned classmates into a support network, showing that the social side of studying abroad can be just as rewarding as the academic side.
Inspired by Veronika’s journey?
Start exploring Master’s degrees in Fashion Design and see where your own search could take you.
