The final run

So… the final run.

The Last Months of My Master’s

Three years ago, the idea of studying at Politecnico di Milano felt like an impossible dream. Now, here I am—finishing a Master’s at one of Europe’s most prestigious universities.

I still vividly remember the early days of 2020, deep into the pandemic. I was curled up on my massive cherry-red IKEA sofa—the one with a built-in queen-sized bed on one side. Back then, in my beautiful apartment with soaring windows, it was the perfect centerpiece. But when I moved to a smaller place, that couch felt like a relic—awkward, oversized, and out of place—until I finally let it go.

Yet, during those early pandemic months, that couch was more than furniture. It was my sanctuary. Wrapped in blankets, coffee in hand, surrounded by books and uncertainty, it was where I dreamed about the future.

At the time, I was still in my Bachelor’s first year, but already scouting Master’s programs across Europe. I knew the kind of career I wanted demanded more education. And I also knew my background was unconventional—a unique Danish program not widely recognized internationally. I needed a plan. A way to bridge my past with my future.

I searched everywhere. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen dazzled me but seemed nearly unreachable. Programs in the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, and Denmark caught my eye but none ignited the fire I needed. The Royal Academy held allure—prestige, location—but not quite the right fit.

Then came Firenze, whispering possibility. Barcelona sparked excitement. But something was still missing.

And then I found Politecnico di Milano.

It wasn’t just the name—often called the MIT of Europe—or the rankings that placed it seventh worldwide. It was the program itself: a perfect fusion of design and engineering, my two great passions.

I recalled a 2017 work trip to Milan, where I fell in love with the city’s energy—the elegance in its streets, the artistry in its architecture, the vibrancy in its culture. I was traveling with a colleague who had studied there, and I remember thinking, This place is magic.

As I dove deeper into Politecnico’s curriculum, tuition, labs, and student life, I knew I’d found my dream. But the odds were daunting—only 30% acceptance, and my Bachelor’s degree wasn’t exactly a golden ticket.

That was 2020.

Fast forward to summer 2023: acceptance. When the email arrived, I was speechless. Then, overwhelmed, I cried—tears of relief, disbelief, and joy. When a dream that once felt unreachable finally comes true, it’s a moment of pure magic.

Now, summer 2025, I’m on the home stretch. The journey has been intense, rewarding, and at times, overwhelming. I’ve loved it, but there were moments I thought it might be impossible—the demanding professors, the relentless workload.

Right now, I’m staring down my toughest challenge yet: a critical exam, a two-month internship in Copenhagen I worked hard to secure, and my 300-page Master’s thesis, guided by the most brilliant minds of the program.

Politecnico di Milano will always be my proudest achievement.

I’m proud—not just for gaining admission, but for learning Italian, sharpening my design skills, building a life in a new country, and piecing my heart back together along the way. Proud for believing in myself when it felt like giving up was easier. Proud for showing up, day after day.

I’ve chronicled much of this journey—the endless travel between cities, the moments of doubt and exhaustion—but I never gave up.

Now, here I am, in the final stretch.

It’s emotional. It’s humbling. It’s a testament to perseverance.

And yet, the biggest question remains:
What’s next?