From Milan to Tartu: finding my place in robotics

Hi! My name is Miriam Calafà, and I graduated last June from the Master’s programme in Robotics and Computer Engineering at the University of Tartu.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Milan, Italy (my hometown), where universities tend to have a very theoretical approach. When it came time to choose a master’s programme, I knew I wanted to study robotics, but I also wanted something different from what I was used to: more practical experience, more hands-on learning, and an opportunity to study abroad, outside of my comfort zone. After a few online searches, there it was: the University of Tartu.

At that point, I didn’t know much about Estonia, and I had never even heard of Tartu. Still, something caught my attention. Maybe it was the spectacular pictures of the Delta Centre surrounded by snow, maybe the descriptions of the many laboratories, or maybe just curiosity. Whatever it was, I applied immediately.

I moved to Tartu at the end of August 2023, and I must admit that both the university and the city exceeded my expectations in every possible way.

A completely different academic experience / Learning through interaction and feedback

Back in Italy, I was used to classes of 200–300 students with one professor (and sometimes one teaching assistant). I had never spoken to a professor outside an oral exam; they didn’t know my name, and emailing them usually meant waiting forever for a reply, if one ever came. Then, during one of my very first classes in Tartu, a professor asked me whether he should call me Miriam or if I preferred a nickname. I remember thinking, “Wait, are you actually going to remember my name?” That moment said a lot. Here, it was the complete opposite of what I was used to. Classes of around 20 students (or larger classes with several TAs) create space for real conversations, discussions, and debates. For the first time, I received real feedback and had the chance to learn from my mistakes, clarify doubts, and even dive deeper into topics that genuinely interested me.

One of the biggest changes for me was the shift from purely theoretical exams to practical and collaborative assessments. Being able to apply knowledge directly and to test your actual skills through hands-on work is a completely different learning experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.

Group projects were another central part of the experience. Not all of them were perfect (as expected when you put engineers together under pressure), but each one taught me something valuable. Working with people from different backgrounds meant learning how to communicate clearly, compromise, and approach problems from multiple perspectives.

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Projects that shaped my academic path

Along the way, I worked on a wide range of projects that really show how multidisciplinary the programme is. I participated in Delta X, the annual robotics competition in Tartu; developed a soft robotics model capable of simulating muscle fatigue; built a machine learning project to predict final exam results; and coded the famous Italian card game Scopa in Python (I had to bring a bit of Italy to Tartu somehow). And that’s just a few examples.

During this master’s programme, I also discovered social robotics, a field that quickly became the center of my academic interests and eventually my thesis topic. I have always been fascinated by psychology, and social robotics felt like the perfect bridge between that world and engineering. My thesis later became a paper presented at the RO-MAN conference, a meaningful milestone that I’m genuinely proud to have achieved.

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Balancing studies, sports, and life

Outside of classes, Tartu slowly became home. It’s a small city, but full of life, international students, cozy cafés, and long walks along the river. Winters are cold (yes, the snow photos are real), but they come with their own magic.

Throughout the entire master’s programme, I also managed to keep a very active lifestyle: I trained on average six or seven times a week as a distance runner, had a side job, and still maintained a very social life. The university definitely keeps you busy, but I learned that with a bit of organization (and some vitamin D) it’s possible to make room for everything that matters.

From graduation to the next chapter

After graduating, I chose to stay in Tartu. I initially worked full-time at the university, contributing to different projects, including Robotont. At the beginning of January, I started a new role as a Technology Engineer at Foxway in Tartu, where my main focus is optimizing, improving, or automating production processes. Even though I’ve only been there for a short time, I can already say that I’m truly enjoying the experience. My master’s programme gave me all the tools I needed to face new challenges, approach problems creatively, and tackle inefficiencies with a critical mindset.

Looking back, choosing the University of Tartu was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I didn’t just gain technical skills in robotics and computer engineering: I gained confidence, independence, and a new way of learning. I arrived looking for a more practical education, and I ended up building a professional path and a life here. And I am so grateful for all of this.

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Find out about engineering study opportunities at the University of Tartu.


Bachelor's program: Computer Technology (in Estonian)

Master's program: Robotics and Computer Engineering (in English)