"Right before the lockdown started, I just completed my master’s degree and the first exams of the master, so I was ready to fully enjoy the program and my everyday life in the beautiful Aseri building.
When I realised the master was going to be delivered online, I started to lose motivation, but my colleagues and my professors prevented this to happen. Since then, all my academic life concentrated within the four walls of my room, and I found a different balance to keep up with the program. I had the chance to use two screens, in order to take notes on one, look at the slides and participate in the lecture’s chat on the other. This allowed me to actively interact with the professors, from a professional and from a human point of view. Despite we couldn’t meet in person, they tried their best to provide a good quality of teaching, but they also encouraged us to hold on.
Although I can’t live the master in a conventional way, I have gained so much more: I have adapted and made personal deep connections with my colleagues, making video calls every day, studying together and sharing our experiences. We have built day by day a special academic partnership, proving to ourselves that we can achieve, even when our world is turned upside down. Therefore, “invitis nubibus” – as our Director always reminds us – I didn’t feel abandoned, and now I am more and more aware that the gratification that awaits us at the end of this path is priceless."
Cecilia Deleo, Student MIMES 2020

“I would certainly define my experience as a student of the Master in Middle Eastern Studies as a key turning point in my life. The courses have provided an in-depth knowledge of the socio-political, economic and cultural situation of the region and have represented a thought-provoking occasion to deal with the complexity of the area, thanks to a skilled and professionalized faculty. The Master has allowed me to develop scientific methodologies and operative competences in the research field, enhancing my critical attitude and encouraging me to question everything I thought it was well-established. In addition, I have had the possibility to attend a multicultural and international environment, where I have met inspiring people, enriching classmates and dear friends. This Master, and the internship I attended, have offered me the analytical tools and categories to read and have a better understanding of the Middle East under different perspectives. It has been an exciting, insightful, intense and meaningful journey I will always be grateful for.”

Francesco Teruggi, MIMES student 2017-2018 (Italy)

"At the end of this path, I think the aspect of the course that I appreciated the most- the one I remember more dearly and I will certainly miss- was the amazing opportunity to be lectured by experts coming not only from very different geographical, but also professional backgrounds. I could see the enthusiasm and the involvement in the eyes of many among them when they told us about their direct experiences in Middle Eastern countries. Their words guided us in the discovery and exploration of this region, and were also fundamental to foster our interest and to give a clearer face to our hopes and expectations. "

Lorena Stella Martini, MIMES student 2015-2016 (Italy)

"As a graduate from the Master in Middle Eastern studies 2016, I can definitely describe 2016 as the most inspiring, eye-opening and challenging year so far. During my time at ASERI, academic discussions with a variety of experts in a diversified environment were accompanied by the development of what I know will be friendships for a lifetime. The Master gave me the opportunity to intern in Tel Aviv, Israel, a goal I had wanted to achieve for a long time. Because of this specializing Master, I feel capable of pursuing an international academic career."

Marie Figoureux, MIMES student 2015-2016 (Belgium)

"Every class was an occasion for us to learn, to think, to ask, to wonder, to discuss, to question. All the subjects that we studied were like pieces of an harmonious puzzle: we were asked to put all of them together, in a way that at the end of the day it could finally make sense.

What I appreciated most is the approach of this Master: we have been taught the importance of having a critical attitude and always being curious, challenging stereotypes, refusing simplistic views, looking beyond the end of one's nose to understand such a complex and diverse reality like the Middle East. This is exactly what we were looking for. With different backgrounds and nationalities and with a specific reason for being here, each of us gave something to the others, adding value to this experience.

This Master and my internship enriched me, made me a stronger person, improved my critical thinking, further opening my mind."

Libera Chiara D'Acunto, MIMES student 2014-2015 (Italy)

Read more in the website page "Stories"