My Background

I’m Anna, I’m from Armenia. I studied at the French College in Armenia — not a traditional high school, but more like a specialized college. I was studying finance, and that academic environment helped me clarify my future path early on. I knew what I wanted to do by the time I could apply to universities, and college played a big part in that.

Why Study Abroad?

The idea of studying abroad had always fascinated me, even from my early teenage years. I kept seeing videos on social media. about people studying in other countries and it sparked my interest. Eventually, I started meeting real people who had studied abroad and hearing their experiences firsthand. That’s when I realized: I want this, too.

By the final year of college, I decided to apply. I told myself: if I get in, I’ll go. If not, I’ll take a gap year and try again. Thankfully, I got into the university I wanted, and here I am.

Why Europe? Choosing the University of Bologna

I chose Europe because of its affordability, student-friendly atmosphere, and scholarship opportunities. Italy stood out in particular — it has some of the best financial aid programs for international students in Europe. I applied to several universities in Italy, and one in Vienna, Austria. I was accepted to them, but ultimately chose the University of Bologna. Why? Because I received a scholarship, the university is one of the oldest higher education institutions in Europe, and its faculty of Economics and Finance is well-respected. Everything just aligned.

Application Process: Stats, Essays (or not?)

The application to Bologna was fairly straightforward — very stats-based, unlike the U.S. system. I needed:

• SAT score: 1320

• TOEFL score: 100 

• High GPA: 19.8 out of 20 on my college’s scale

No essays. No motivational letters. No extracurriculars required. Just test scores and academic performance. It was simpler — but still competitive. I didn’t get in during the first round, but I kept going and was accepted in the second.

Extracurricular Activities

Even though Bologna didn’t require extracurriculars, I had plenty:

• Financial Advisor at Yerevan Model United Nations NGO, helping with sponsor outreach and Model United Nations conference organization.

• Child Leadership Team member, advocating for children’s rights — our research on children’s mental health in Armenian schools was published in 2024.

• Youth Advisor in Youth advisory group of the Global Campus of Human Rights — As Youth advisor, I am helping new child leaders in CLT for new projects and initiatives. 

Despite studying finance, I’ve always been involved in diplomacy and advocacy. I believe in combining interests — finance on its own can be dry, but when you use it to empower causes, it becomes meaningful.

Financial Aid & Scholarship

Italy has a great system for international students when it comes to financial aid. Every region has its own authority that handles scholarships. You apply based on your ISEE value, which is calculated from your family’s income, properties, and banking information.

How Borderless Helped Me

I actually discovered Borderless through TikTok when I was just starting to think about studying abroad. At first, I was thinking of applying to the USA, but I realized I didn’t have enough extracurriculars or stats for top schools — unless I took a gap year.

Borderless helped me understand that. The videos made me think more realistically. Veronica (the founder of Borderless) really explained everything clearly — like what different countries require, what their systems are like, and what kind of students they’re looking for.

So from there, I started thinking about Europe and looking into platforms where I could explore more options. Borderless helped me see that there are so many opportunities outside of the U.S. — and that really shaped my whole journey.

Student Life at Bologna

I love the student life in Bologna. It was very welcoming from the beginning. I didn’t struggle to integrate at all — there are so many events for international students.

For example, I went to Babel Nights, where there are rooms for different languages like English, Italian, and others — so you can practice speaking and meet new people. There are also group chats for students at the University of Bologna, where people share events and initiatives.

Through one of those, I joined the International Law Society and became a debate manager. I work with other students, and it’s been really exciting. I feel like the university gives you space to explore your interests beyond just academics.

Advice to International Applicants

Okay, so first of all, don’t give up.

When I applied to Bologna, I didn’t get in during the first round. I was pretty upset that day. I was waitlisted. But I didn’t stop — I kept looking for other options, I kept preparing. Then I got accepted in the second round.

So here’s my advice:

• Start early. You think one year is enough, but it flies by.

• Don’t give up if something doesn’t work the first time.

• Be realistic with your stats and where you apply, but also don’t lose hope.

I had visa issues, delays, and stress. I came to Italy very late — in November — and I really thought at some point, maybe I’ll just stay in Armenia. But my mom kept telling me, Anna, you're going toward your dream. Don’t stop just because it’s hard right now. And she was right.

Also, do as many extracurricular activities as possible. Try different things. I study finance, but I also work in diplomacy, children’s rights, and youth leadership. It helps me diversify my interests and not feel stuck. Finance alone can feel a bit boring, but when I do it alongside things I love, it becomes exciting.

And finally, don’t be afraid to apply for things. The world is so global now. There are opportunities everywhere.

I’ve read stories from other students before, and they inspired me during my own application process. Now I hope my journey inspires someone else to take that leap — maybe even to study in Bologna.