Please introduce yourself

My name is Matteo Ingrassia, and I am originally from Turin, Italy. I have been living in Tallinn for almost seven years now. I first came here to study Integrated Engineering (BSc), and I am currently completing my Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management (MSc).

Where did you first hear about TalTech and how did you decide to go for it? 

I discovered TalTech online, and it was love at first sight. At the time I was working in Bulgaria, but I really wanted to pursue a Bachelor’s degree while also living abroad. TalTech’s Integrated Engineering programme was a perfect fit for me, as it covers several fields of engineering (Mechanics, Robotics, Electronics, and more) opening many doors for the future. On top of that, the programme is completely free for the citizens of EU member states.

What were your expectations about studying in Estonia? Have they been met?

I first visited Estonia in 2014 with my parents, and I already knew it was a technologically advanced country. TalTech lived up to exactly that impression, with state-of-the-art laboratories and last grid technologies.

After completing the bachelor’s programme, you continued studying on Industrial Engineering and Management MSc Programme at TalTech. How does this path from bachelor’s programme to master’s look like? 

During and after my Bachelor’s degree, I started working as an Electrical Design Engineer at Ericsson. Similarly to my earlier decision when I was living in Bulgaria, I felt that my academic journey was not over yet and that I wanted to expand my knowledge further. Enrolling in the Industrial Engineering and Management MSc felt like a natural next step, as it allowed me to complement my existing engineering background with valuable management skills.

Have you ever regretted your choices? 

No. Not even for a second!

Where could a graduate of this master’s programme work in future?

I don’t think there is one specific answer to this question, that is precisely what makes this Master’s programme so valuable. It opens doors across a wide range of industries and roles, giving graduates a great deal of flexibility in shaping their careers.

How is student life at TalTech? Are there extracurricular activities, internships or student clubs available that you could take part in?

Student life at TalTech was one of the biggest surprises when I arrived in Estonia. Back in Italy, university is essentially just a place to study, at TalTech, it is so much more than that. The university itself organises many events and genuinely cares about students’ mental wellbeing. Beyond that, there are numerous clubs you can join. For example, I joined ESN TalTech IC, the international club of TalTech and a section of the largest student organisation in Europe. ESN supports incoming international students and helps them make the most of their time in Estonia. Through ESN, you can also take part in exciting events both locally and internationally, where you get to meet incredible people, in fact, that is how I met my girlfriend!

What has been the most unexpected, positive, or funny experience you’ve had with Estonians while living here so far?
The funniest experience I’ve had was definitely the Sauna Marathon organised by TalTech Kultuuriklubi, where they set up 10/12 saunas and hot tubs around the campus and we had to visit all of them and complete various challenges along the way. It was truly unforgettable!

What do you miss the most in a daily life back home and how often do you go back? 

Definitely the food. Although you can find almost everything in Estonian supermarkets, the price and freshness of products back home are simply incomparable. I usually go back two or three times a year, typically in summer and at Christmas.

Would you recommend other students from Italy to study at TalTech? What makes it unique experience and why would someone from there come study here? 

Absolutely. For Italian students in particular, the biggest difference lies in the teaching methods. In Italy, university is mainly focused on theory. Here, theory is just one part of the experience, the rest of the time is spent in laboratories, seminars, group work, and hands-on projects. I believe this approach is extremely valuable for preparing students to enter the job market with confidence.

What are your plans after graduating?

I like my life in Estonia, so most likely I will continue to live here, even though I would like to try a new experience somewhere else one day.