Aurora Sturli, (Apr. 27, 2026)Completing my PhD in Italian Studies at Cambridge was an incredible journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Being surrounded by like-minded people, benefiting from outstanding supervisors, and being immersed in a culturally vibrant environment shaped my thinking and strengthened my skills. The Italian Section was consistently supportive in providing funding for fieldwork, enabling me to add significant value to my research, as well as for conferences and events. The opportunity to meet international professors and researchers through the Section’s rich programme of research seminars also had a positive impact on my PhD experience. Supervising excellent students with a passion for Italian was particularly rewarding, as it fulfilled my love of teaching and of sharing Italian language and culture. It was an extraordinary experience for which I will always be grateful.
Joining the Italian Section at Cambridge in 2017 as a PhD student has been the best professional decision of my life. What I was looking for was a stimulating research environment that would allow me to pursue my interests and projects in modern Italian literature and culture. What I found exceeded my expectations. My supervisor offered unwavering support throughout my time at Cambridge. Equally important was the vibrant community of Italianists I became part of—their energy and wide-ranging research interests enriched me both personally and professionally, and I never felt isolated. A rich and exciting programme of research events, the opportunity to gain teaching experience as a supervisor, and a fieldwork trip supported by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics all contributed to making my doctoral years a truly rewarding experience—one that has prepared me solidly for the next steps in my academic career.Erica Bellia, (Apr. 16, 2025)