Background

I am Viola Konjufca, and if you had asked me a few years ago where I’d be today, I’m not sure I would have pictured myself studying architecture in Italy. I grew up in Ferizaj, but for high school, I moved to Pristina. For the first two years, I commuted to the capital every single day. By my third year, I moved there full-time to focus on my extracurriculars and academies. Looking back, that independence was exactly the training ground I needed for life abroad.

The idea of leaving Kosovo started early for me. My mother was actually my biggest encouragement. She always pushed me to reach beyond my limits. She even gave me an international name so that people all over the world could pronounce it easily. In a way, she was preparing me for this before I even knew it myself.

Choosing the Italian Way of Life

When I started the application process, I didn’t have one specific dream school. I applied all over the place, from the United States to various spots in Europe. I got into universities in the U.S., which was exciting, but something about Italy felt right.

I chose Politecnico di Torino, or PoliTo, for a few reasons. It is highly ranked for architecture, but it’s also physically beautiful. I literally get to study in architectural heritage sites, like a castle. As an architecture student, being surrounded by that kind of history is fascinating. Plus, Italy has a way of life that just suits me. It’s close enough to Kosovo to feel reachable, but it offers a whole new world of professional opportunities.

The Stats and the Strategy

In Europe, numbers are very important. Personally, my GPA was a 4.16 in the American system, or straight fives as we call them in Kosovo. I also took the IELTS and scored an 8.5.

If you are looking at architecture in Italy, keep in mind that the SAT isn't always the big ticket. Most programs, including mine, require a specific entrance exam instead. I took the SAT early on and didn't even end up using it.

I also didn’t have to write a typical American-style college essay with a tragic back story. Instead, European schools like PoliTo usually want a motivation letter. I wrote about my extracurriculars, like my extended time at the Anibar Animation Academy. I also talked about growing up in Kosovo, a country younger than I am. Seeing how our buildings were being reshaped and rebuilt really sparked my desire to design spaces that help a country grow.

Real Talk on the Process

The application season is a marathon. I started in September of my senior year, and honestly, I should have started even earlier. You have to juggle different timelines. November to January was all about the U.S. applications, while the spring was focused on Europe.

The hardest part isn’t the creative work. It’s the bureaucracy. No one prepares you for the sheer amount of paperwork, from bank statements to municipal documents. Our bureaucracy in Kosovo can be slow, which is incredibly frustrating when you have a hard deadline. My advice is to be demanding. If a government office or a bank is stalling, call them. Email them. Call them again. They don't have the same deadlines you do, so you have to be the one to push.

Life in Torino

One of the best things about PoliTo is the cost. Tuition is based on your home country’s GDP. Since I’m from Kosovo, I pay about €700 a year. That makes a world of difference when you’re trying to balance your life as an international student.

The first semester was heavy on theory, things like calculus and history. Now, things are much more practical. I spend my days in design studios working in groups. I’ll admit, I can be a bit fiery when I’m passionate about an idea, so learning to compromise and be open to other perspectives has been a huge part of my growth.

When I’m not in the studio, I’m out on my bike. Torino is a very walkable, green city. It’s not overrun with tourists, so it feels like a real community. And since I’m Albanian, I can’t live without my coffee. Finding a quiet cafe to call my family or sketch in my notebook is how I keep my sanity during exam season.

If you’re thinking about applying, start now. Don’t let someone else write your story for you. Reach out to students who are already there and know what student life is like firsthand. People are friendlier than you think, and everyone is just as nervous about making friends as you are. It’s a lot of work, but when you’re sitting in a castle studying what you love, it’s worth it.