How does it feel to be back after your internship?
It feels great to be back because actually one of the things you realise when you come back is what's really valuable about this place, namely that it being a small place, you get to know everybody and that makes the whole experience from a human dimension and also an intellectual dimension way more stimulating.
I think having the chance to talk with professors, Policy Leader Fellows (PLF) and other students in a very accessible way makes the School of Transnational Governance (STG) a very valuable and unique place.
When you come back after a year and see former students, current students, and professors—and realise that everyone remembers you and wants to know how you’ve been doing—that’s simply great. I think that’s really unique about the STG.
How did your time during the Master in Transnational Governance prepare you for your career?
I think really what's different about this master is that you don't get to specialise in one area of knowledge.
What I really liked about the STG in preparing me to enter the professional world is that it gives a set of skills that you maybe get in other places, but you don't work on them as much.
And that is you get very good at drafting, which is something that...
I cannot compare it to other places.
What advice would you give to current or prospect students?
Make the most out of your time here, and that's something that you can say anywhere, but the difference is that here you really have the chance to do so.
So go speak with everybody that's around you, go speak with professors, go speak with PLFs, because you have two years for that, when you're a master's student, then that time flies away, and of course you can always come back, but you won't be based here.
So go speak with everybody.
That makes the experience so much more stimulating.
You learn so much by talking to people on a lot of levels.
And you get a lot of job opportunities, small projects, and getting involved with that, I think it's what really makes a difference here at STG.
How did you balance academic and social life?
Well, I think that's a very easy question, because Florence is really a very easy place to make the best balance of both.
Everything is very close in Florence, you can walk everywhere in less than 30 minutes.
There's a big academic community beyond the STG, and there's a big offer in terms of culture, association life, NGOs, and cinemas.
There are so many things you can do, and so many people with whom you can share your interests.
What does being part of the STG alumni community mean to you, both professionally and personally?
On a personal level, you have friends for life, and that's something really valuable that you feel very lucky and grateful for.
And on a professional level, which is also important, you have a very interesting network, not only to give you a job afterwards, but people with whom you can discuss and learn every day, just by communicating, seeing whatever they publish, what are they doing, and that's great.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The EUI Alumni Testimonials series offers a glimpse into the diverse paths and experiences of our alumni. Through their stories, we revisit meaningful moments from their time at the EUI and discover how these experiences continue to shape their personal and professional journeys.
Stay tuned and follow #EUIalumni on LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky, Instagram, and Youtube to explore more stories from across our global alumni community.
Disclaimer: All information reported in this article reflects solely the perspective of EUI alumni and former EUI members. In no case does this article represent the view of the organisations the interviewees are affiliated with.