My Second Chance

My name is Elisa, I am 21 years old and I come from Bolzano, a fascinating bilingual town in South Tyrol, Italy. I study Communication Sciences and Culture at my hometown University, a trilingual bachelor’s program in Italian, German and English. This winter semester, I find myself here in Munich, like all of you, to experience the Erasmus adventure.

But to explain what truly brought me here, let’s take a step back…

The dream of living in Munich was born in me many years ago, when I visited this city for the first time at the age of fourteen. In high school, I had the opportunity to take part in an exchange programme and chose Munich as my destination. Unfortunately, the trip was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, leaving me deeply disappointed. But instead of giving up, I sought other ways to connect with the German language and culture. Through a local project called “A Year in L2”, I was able to attend a German-speaking-school, a challenging, rewarding experience that brought me all the way to my baccalaureate exam.

Even after high school, the desire to study in Munich never left me. So, as soon as I could, I applied for the Erasmus+ program, choosing Ludwig Maximilians University as my only destination. For me, being here is a kind of personal revenge, and the realisation of a dream that has been with me for years.

I firmly believe that every person we meet leaves a trace in us, even in a brief encounter. With this in mind, I approach my Erasmus experience with excitement and an open heart, ready to draw and learn as much as possible from everyone’s stories, cultures and traditions – from every unique English accent, and of course, this magnificent city itself. I can’t wait to discover all that this semester holds for us!