Before becoming a prominent political figure in India, Sonia Gandhi embarked on an educational journey that took her from Italy to England. At the age of 19, she left home to study English and later enrolled at the Istituto Santa Teresa di Lingue in Torino, where she studied English, French, and Russian for three years. After completing her studies in Italy, Gandhi moved to England to improve her English, initially attending the Jarrett School of English. However, her father received a concern letter from the school's principal, leading her to enroll at the Lennox Cooke School on Barton Road. There, she regained her confidence and completed an English course in 1965, earning a certificate from the institution.
During her time in Cambridge, Gandhi met her late husband Rajiv Gandhi, who was studying engineering at Trinity College. Her educational journey did not end with language courses; she also developed an interest in art and restoration, holding a diploma in the conservation of oil paintings from the National Museum in New Delhi. The Indian National Congress website states that Gandhi also attended a training course at the National Museum on the restoration of oil paintings and returned to restoration work under the guidance of teacher Sukanta Basu.
While in Cambridge, Sonia Gandhi not only completed her English course but also met her late husband Rajiv Gandhi, who was studying engineering at Trinity College. During this time, she attended another institution, the Lennox Cooke School on Barton Road, after friends recommended it. Her new teacher, Mr Turnbull, made the lessons interesting and helped her regain confidence. Her report described her written work as "idiomatic, fluent, and full of humor" and noted that she was also good orally.
After Cambridge, Sonia Gandhi continued her education by developing an interest in art and restoration. She holds a diploma in the conservation of oil paintings from the National Museum in New Delhi. In her memoir, she recalls joining a training course at the National Museum on the restoration of oil paintings. Later, she returned to restoration work under the guidance of teacher Sukanta Basu. Additionally, Gandhi attended Spanish lessons in the 1970s with her friend Rupika Chawla, further expanding her linguistic abilities. These qualifications and courses offer a bigger picture of Sonia Gandhi's educational journey, ranging from studying foreign languages in Italy to pursuing specialized training in art conservation in India.