In January, upon my arrival in Macao, where I will reside for several months, I had the chance to present my first article about Hiro Ramen. This place is a must-visit for anyone coming to the city and is located inside the Venetian Macau, in the bustling gambling area. It’s worth noting that access to this area is possible even without the intention to gamble, making the restaurant accessible to everyone.
In the coming articles, I will focus on various practical and useful aspects for those in Macao, including transportation, language, must-see attractions, hotels, restaurants, and much more. Additionally, content dedicated to Hong Kong and Seoul (South Korea), destinations I will visit during the upcoming holidays, is also on the way.
Macao, Taipa, and the University of Macao: A Singular, Large Reality
Macao stands out as an autonomous region, which means that for studying, working, or just for a long vacation, a specific visa is required, independent of the Chinese one if the stay is limited to Macao alone.
Italians enjoy a significant advantage: they can stay in Macao without a visa for up to 15 days, although it’s always advisable to check the latest information on the official Italian government portal, given the frequent changes in regulations.
The universities in Macao offer a highly supportive environment for international students, with dedicated offices that facilitate all the procedures for visa application.
The University of Macao, where I am currently studying, represents the most prestigious institution in the region. Recognized in three different global rankings, its Business Administration department boasts international accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA), ensuring the recognition of its courses in Asia, Europe, and America.
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Macao is divided into three main areas: the old zone, characterized by more accessible prices and rich in history; Taipa, the new and developing area, with high living standards and home to the largest casinos; and finally, the exclusive island of the University of Macao, which offers a complete and protected environment for students, with extremely advantageous living costs.
The Old Area versus the New Area of Macao
It’s important not to automatically associate the old with the decrepit and the new with the desirable. Although the new area hosts Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury shops, casinos, and hotels, the old area remains the heartbeat of the place, rich in history, culture, and activities.
My Experience: A Life Choice
The decision to study abroad (and one day move) stems from a profound dissatisfaction with my experiences in Italy and the desire to explore new cultures, grow personally, and find my happiness abroad. After winning scholarships and living in different nations, I can say that Macao represents, at the moment, the happiest period of my life.
I know well that happiness is subjective, and so is the choice of where to live. Macao is definitely a place where I will return to try working. However, I can promise you one thing: this place, maybe not immediately, it will take some time, will allow you to abandon those stereotypes (often discriminatory) about Asia and understand many things that would be ineffective or impossible to explain in an article.
Andrea Pimpini is a student of Economics and Management at the University of Chieti-Pescara and, from September 2022 to February 2023, he is also an Erasmus+ student at the University of Split (Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism). Andrea has also taken three courses offered by the prestigious CERGE-EI Foundation and, being a Japanese language enthusiast, has taken two courses provided by the Japan-Abruzzo Association. In 2022, Andrea took the courses “Music Business Foundations,” “Copyright Law in the Music Business” and “Building your career in music: Developing a brand and financing your music” offered by Berklee Online on Coursera.org.
A big hobby of Andrea’s is music and, thanks to his college and web experiences, he manages everything on his own (print and radio promotion, digital marketing, etc.). Media success is not long in coming: in 2020, live streams are shared on national newspapers such as Sky TG24, alongside well-known names from the Italian music scene (Modà, Francesco Renga, Nek, etc.). In 2021, Billboard places Andrea at the top of a chart for 3 consecutive weeks. Finally, in 2022, Il Messaggero, one of the most popular and best-selling newspapers in Italy, interviews Andrea.