How Akbar Rifqi Fauzi, an Indonesian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Product Service System Design Through the Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship

Degree in Product Service System Design at Politecnico di Milano. I chose this program because I want to broaden my perspective to design experiences at the system level and not only focus on the user interface.

Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship Details

I received the Invest Your Talent in Italy scholarship from the Italian government. The scholarship provides a tuition fee waiver and €10,800 for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Educational Background

I earned a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Universitas Airlangga in Indonesia, graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.85/4.00. I also did a study exchange at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, taking courses in Global Studies. My educational background has prepared me to be more comfortable learning in English and in an international environment.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Politecnico di Milano?

I researched programs that matched my interests and career goals, then prepared my application materials to show why the program was aligned with my aspirations. I found several programs related to Service Design in Europe and the US. However, after researching further, I found that the course at Politecnico di Milano is the one that was more focused on systemic design. Therefore, I focused all of my efforts on applying to this program by also showing how I have demonstrated systemic thinking in my application documents, such as my CV and portfolio.

How Did You Find Information About Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship and Politecnico di Milano?

I learned about the scholarship and program through an education fair held by Uni Italia Indonesia. Many representatives from the Italian universities were also present during the fair, including from Politecnico di Milano. During the event, I got many insights about the scholarships offered in Italy, such as IYT, MAECI, and DSU.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I have an IELTS score of 7.5. For around 2 months, I prepared for the test by doing exercises in the IELTS Academic books from Cambridge.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship?

I reviewed the eligibility criteria and application requirements, gathered the necessary documents, and prepared my CV and motivation video. IYT only required me to submit a 1-minute video instead of the traditional motivation letter. That was why I needed to tweak my preparation process a bit. I started by preparing a compelling script and tried to rehearse it by speaking it out loud. Afterwards, I recorded a proper video by showing my cultural heritage, wearing a batik shirt, and speaking in the video naturally without sounding like I read the script. Last but not least, I also edited the video so it was more engaging and could convey my message to the committee clearly.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Italian?

My classes are conducted in English.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Italian?

Not really; you can pretty much follow the courses well if the major is offered in English.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because of my professional experience and my clear outlook about what I will do during my studies and after graduating. I also showed how I was intrigued to immerse myself in the Italian culture and also eager to learn the Italian language.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were going through the process again, I would try to learn Italian earlier. While it is true that using English is fine, after experiencing studying in Italy myself, I realize that there are some cultural nuances that are lost and I can’t experience them if I don’t already understand Italian. Showing how I have tried to immerse myself in the Italian language and culture would also have made my application even stronger.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Start early, read the requirements carefully, and make sure your application tells a coherent story about your background, goals, and reasons for choosing the program. Give yourself time to revise your materials and ask for feedback from previous awardees. Also, research the scholarship and institution thoroughly so you can explain why they are a good fit for you and how you are aligned with the vision or mission of the scholarship.