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From Milan to Calabria, passing through a choice built through direct encounters with the research and scientific community of the Physics Department of the University of Calabria. Sofia Pejrano, a three-year graduate in Engineering Physics at the Polytechnic of Milan, chose to continue her education in the Master’s Degree Course in Physics at UniCal, identifying the Department of Physics as the place in which to give continuity to her academic and scientific path.
Already a few months ago Sofia had reached the Arcavacata campus to get to know the Department up close, meeting the Director and some teachers and interacting directly with those who animate the teaching and research activities every day. It was precisely this contact with the reality of the Department, with its research groups, training opportunities, the direct relationship with the teachers and a scientific environment capable of combining advanced training and research, that transformed a possibility into a choice.
To start this new university experience Sofia decided to arrive in Calabria in a anything but ordinary way: by bicycle. From Milan to Rende (Cs), crossing Italy in twelve days, up to the campus he had chosen a few months earlier as the destination for his studies. The Press and Communication Coordination of the Physics Department, on the occasion of the Researchers’ Night, interviewed her. «After my three-year degree – he says – I decided to take a year off. During my course in Engineering Physics I realized that the predominantly engineering approach was not the one best suited to me. In that year I had the opportunity to take some Physics lessons and this helped me understand what I was really looking for. I realized that it was precisely the physics approach, the desire to understand phenomena and get to the bottom of things, what I felt was closest to me. At that point you started comparing different universities. I started looking at different courses in Italy, especially comparing the teachings, the structure of the courses and the opportunities offered. Among the universities I had considered were Trieste, Bologna and the University of Calabria. Searching for information and also reading some articles I arrived at UniCal, also through the Department’s scientific activities and collaborations. Then I looked into the site and the training offer in more detail. Among the various possibilities, the course at the University of Calabria – she continues – particularly struck me because of the exams offered, the structure of the course and the potential I glimpsed in the research activities”.
«For this reason, – he continues – before making a final decision, I wanted to personally see the Department. During the visit I met Professor Francesco Valentini and other teachers, I was able to learn more about the Department and visit STAR and some laboratories. At the end of that day I was much more convinced of my choice. I had the impression of finding myself in a reality with a lot of potential and, as far as physics is concerned, in an environment that I truly consider a flagship. But above all I was struck by seeing how experimental tools and activities are the order of the day in teaching. For me this opportunity is very important. You can study how an instrument works and know its theory perfectly, but being able to see it, understand its components and use it means building a different relationship with what you are studying. Physics also arises from observation and experiment: I felt the need to approach this dimension.”
The student explains further: «One of the things that struck me most was the desire to do and discover that I perceived in people. I found a very stimulating environment, both speaking with the teachers and interacting with the students. It was exactly what I was looking for to get back into the game. Moving from Engineering Physics to Physics – he adds – also means being able to explore new areas. Have you already understood what you would like to move towards? Not completely yet, and this is also one of the aspects that excites me the most: I feel like I’m still in a phase of discovery. At the moment I am particularly curious about biophysics, and it is one of the reasons why I chose the Physics of Matter curriculum. I also like the possibility of building a fairly flexible path, choosing courses that can allow me to explore different directions.” Then the idea of reaching Calabria from Milan by bicycle.
«Moving to Calabria – he explains – represents a very big change for me. In Milan I have my family, my friends, my whole life. I wasn’t trying to leave because I felt bad: I chose to do it because I wanted to get involved and because I had found the university here where I wanted to continue studying. Precisely for this reason I felt that such an important change deserved to be experienced to the full. I didn’t want to just take a train or a plane and suddenly find myself on the other side of Italy. I wanted to take the time to digest the transition. I have a great passion for cycling, mountains and adventure and, at a certain point, I said to myself: why not get out on a bike?»