Student Story Interview – Bruno De Martino

What is your name? 

Bruno De Martino 

How old are you? 

18 years old 

Where are you from?

I am Italian, but I have lived in Germany for the last 7 years prior to joining  Forward College.

What year are you in? 

I am a first-year student part of the class 2027/2028.

What Bachelor’s programme are you studying? 

Single bachelor in Politics and International Relations

Outside of Forward College, what do you love to do in your free time? 

I know it’s nerdy, but I love history and often watch documentaries on the Roman Empire or modern conflicts. I also love cinema and movies; it’s a passion my dad passed on to me. I enjoy going out and exploring random parts of cities with my friends. I’m learning how to play the piano, and I enjoy reading.

Why did you choose to join Forward College? 

1. For the experience of living in 3 different countries and amazing cities, each with a different vibe that I know I’ll enjoy :)
2. The flipped classroom method fits my personality and programme, as I believe that communication, collaboration, and comparison are key elements for developing knowledge.
3. The opportunity to learn 2 languages (I am already fluent in German), the LSE-level education, and the UoL degree.
4. The friendliness of the staff and teachers, who are passionate and caring towards their students.

What were you most excited (or nervous) about before starting your first year?

I was mostly excited about the programme and getting to know new people, and nervous about the university experience as a whole and living alone for the first time.

What has been your favorite memory in Lisbon so far?

To be honest, I don’t have one particularly favorite memory of Lisbon since I have so many great ones. Regardless, I’ll highlight 3 moments:

• After meeting my now closest Forward friends for the first time, we went to the Miradouro near the Learning Centre and watched the sunset together for the first time in Lisbon.
• Going to Boiler Room with about 30 people from Forward College. It was a totally different environment from the typical Learning Centre or British Council (of course), but I really enjoyed spending time with everyone as our group was forming.
• A friend of a student stayed in Lisbon for a week, and I got to know him. We became close friends almost instantly and had one of the best weeks I’ve ever had.

How did you feel on the first day? 

I wasn’t very worried. The organisers and the fellows were very friendly and supportive, which really made me feel welcome. From a social perspective, it was nice to talk to everyone, as they were very friendly and chill. (Also, it was my birthday, so everyone wished me happy birthday, which was very nice.)

What were the first impressions of your cohort? 

Initially, everyone was very nice and friendly, but I thought that might change after a few weeks. Even after 3 months, though, everyone is still super nice and friendly. The cohort has been one of the best aspects of Forward College so far.

What advice would you give to future applicants?
The overwhelming experience of university and living in a new city is something most people go through, but not every university effectively addresses it. Forward College, on the other hand, managed to make me feel welcomed and helped me navigate the initial challenges.

Another thing: if you are accepted and feel like you’re not enough, remember there’s a reason you’ve been accepted! The admissions team has seen potential in you and believes the Forward system can help you reach it. You are worthy of being here.