For engineering student Christopher Papa, earning two master’s degrees meant packing his bags and heading to Italy.
Thanks to a unique academic partnership between the University of Miami College of Engineering and the University of Bologna (UniBo), Papa spent his fifth year abroad as part of a dual Master of Science in Civil Engineering program. The opportunity allows undergraduate students to complete one year of study in Italy and earn two master’s degrees, one from the University of Miami and another from UniBo.
“I really fell in love with transportation engineering after taking a course,” said Papa, who previously earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University. “The opportunity to study abroad and specialize in a field I wasn’t exposed to during undergrad was a major draw.”
At the University, the civil engineering curriculum is primarily focused on structural design. But at UniBo, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, students can specialize in areas such as transportation engineering. Papa took courses in rail design, airport planning, and traffic flow analysis, which aligned with his growing interest in transportation infrastructure.
While in Italy, Papa also worked on his thesis focused on "Mobility as a Service" (MaaS), a regional project analyzing transportation habits across the Emilia-Romagna region, home to about 4 million residents. The study uses a comprehensive survey to identify accessibility gaps in public transportation networks.
“One of the biggest takeaways from my thesis is understanding how people without private vehicles often live far from the nearest bus or train station,” Papa said. “The project aims to provide data to local and EU governments to drive improvements in transit equity.”
The dual-degree program is carefully structured: students complete two semesters at UM and two at UniBo, with coursework transferred between both institutions.
“The University of Miami–University of Bologna program is a rare chance for students to broaden their academic and cultural horizons, and to access expertise beyond what we currently offer,” said Luis Ruiz Pestana, assistant professor of civil and architectural engineering, who also leads the partnership. “Chris approached this experience with excitement, focus, and maturity, and represented the University exceptionally well."
Papa believes the experience has made him a more thoughtful designer.
“Culturally, this experience has been invaluable,” he said. “Studying rail systems in a place where trains are the main form of transportation really opened my eyes. You start seeing cities and infrastructure differently.”
His time in Bologna will conclude with a unique Italian-style graduation ceremony, during which he will defend his thesis before a panel of professors. Upon successful defense, he will be crowned with a traditional laurel wreath.
“It’s very different than what we’re used to,” he laughed. “But it’s an amazing way to end an unforgettable year.”
When Papa returns to Miami later this summer, he will begin working with HNTB on their transit and rail design team. He previously interned with the firm for two summers, contributing to projects like the Northeast Corridor rail expansion between Aventura and Downtown Miami and a proposed people mover system in Fort Lauderdale.
“It’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made,” Papa said.
