How
I T A L I A N S
Conquered the University of Bristol
A tour of the University ’ s Italian Community
Around the University of Bristol , there is a thriving community of Italians , not just within the Italian Department and Woodland Road , but also those working in a variety of roles across the campus . For this edition of La Civetta , we wanted to celebrate their contributions to university life and discover what drew people to the city .
M y journey started on a wet October afternoon outside the Queen ’ s Building , home of the University of Bristol ’ s Faculty of Engineering . I was meeting with Nicolò Grilli , Lecturer in the School of Electrical , Electronic and Mechanical Engineering , a field rather different to my language degree . This was my first visit here during my four years of studying in Bristol , highlighting precisely the aim of writing this article : to hear more about the community of Italians working at the University , meet new people , and talk about their experiences living and working in Bristol .
Nico welcomes me into his office , with its impressive array of gadgets and machinery . It is not long before the weather comes up in conversation , when talking about the differences between his hometown of Parma and Bristol . He says there are some things he misses about his home country , such as the weather and the incredible local cuisine he grew up surrounded by , but that Bristol offers a great environment for work . “ In my field , Nuclear Civil Engineering , there is less opportunity to conduct research in Italy , whereas in Bristol , there is a lot more going on , as well as the nearby Hinckley Point [ Nuclear Power Station in Somerset ], so it made sense to come here ,” he explains .
Nico goes on to say there is a better research environment than in Italian universities and working at the University of Bristol allows for more open discussions . Having lived and worked around the world , including in the United States , Switzerland and Singapore , he ended up in Bristol in June 2021 as the country reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic . “ Research during the pandemic was complicated ,” he explains , “ but things are a lot better now . A lot of my work is based around modelling and computers too , so that definitely helped .” Nico has also spent time at the University of Oxford , a place he enjoyed but found very busy , and says Bristol is the perfect place to live and work . “ I enjoy cycling , so the surrounding areas , Wales , the Cotswolds , the countryside in general here is a big plus . The city is the right size , not too dense unlike those in Italy , and the people are friendly too .”
My next conversation takes place in the more familiar setting of Senate House , and specifically in the Global Lounge . A hub of activity upon arrival , I am greeted by Janet Paiocchi , Front of House in the Global Lounge , and over a cup of tea for me and coffee for her , we chat about how her work at the university supports the vibrant student community . Born in northern Italy , she grew up in north-west London , and the comparison she makes between London and Bristol was clear to see . After living here full-time for the last six or so years , she describes Bristol as “ cosmopolitan ” and an “ easy place to work ”, two statements we both agreed on . Living in Montpelier , a bustling area home to a mix of cultures , Janet says living in Bristol has been some of the best times in her life , surrounded by friends and everything the city has to offer .
Her journey at the university began , like Nico ’ s , around the time of the pandemic . In Janet ’ s first role , working in Events , there was of course mass disruption due to Covid , with many events taking place online , something she happily admits disliking . Thankfully , the days of staring at faces on a screen are now behind us , and the Global Lounge is a prime example of how student life has rebounded after Covid . Every Wednesday at 5pm during term-time , the Global Lounge hosts the Language Café , an opportunity to meet new students and practice language skills in a practical context . It works on a volunteer basis , and Janet is proud of its popularity and the energy it brings to the building .
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