Samuele's Transform4Europe Journey

Hi Samuele, tell us a bit about yourself. What is your academic background, and how did you choose to enroll in International Studies at the University of Trieste?

Well, to be honest, my story is pretty simple. I’m originally from the province of Treviso. In high school, I studied at the Human Sciences High School. I chose this track because, since elementary school, history has always been my favorite subject. I never really liked math, so I followed a path where there was as little of it as possible. And this decision somewhat reflected in my choice of university, as I wanted to continue down the path I had started.

The high school period is when I developed my current main interests, namely: current affairs, politics, and public speaking. These interests developed especially when I first started participating in school collective discussions and later became the school representative. I served as a representative for two years, during the two years of the COVID pandemic. Then, once I graduated, it was time to choose a university, and, as usual when it comes to making such decisions, my mind went blank since I have so many passions and didn’t want to give up any of them. But, of course, I had to choose.

I would say I made my choice through a process of elimination: first, I wanted to study away from home, not stay in my hometown, I wanted a change of environment, and I still think it was the right decision. Despite the financial situation of each one of us, I clearly realize the difference between those who stay in their comfort zone and those who try to experience something new elsewhere. Even in terms of responsibility and open-mindedness. Living alone is something everyone needs to learn eventually: it’s better to do it as soon as possible.

As for the choice of faculty, a friend recommended the International and Diplomatic Studies program in Gorizia. I took the test, got in, and I must say I’m pretty satisfied overall. Of course, like everything, it has its issues, its criticisms, things I would change, things I would keep, but I think that’s the case everywhere.

So, I lived in Gorizia, a city that allowed me to deepen the passions that started back in high school. I became a course and department representative in the Student Council for Transform4Europe, founded a student association, and participated as a member in other associations. This is because, in Gorizia, the associative fabric is very strong; it’s something you can really feel in that university hub. Although, academically, we’re a bit of the outskirts of the empire, and we don’t have the same offers or advantages that a student in Trieste might have, part of that gap is covered by what the associations do.

You also took part in a mobility project with Transform4Europe. Can you tell us more about it?

I participated in the T4EU week held in May 2024 between Trieste and Koper, mainly as a representative of UniTS, attending meetings within the Transform4Europe Student Council. Essentially, each university involved in the Alliance has two student representatives. During the week organized by Transform4Europe, these representatives meet in the Student Council to discuss various agenda points. For example, one of the main topics we discussed last time was how to manage the succession of new members, how to welcome them, and how to pass on the know-how without letting it get lost, so we don’t have to start from scratch every time. Clearly, this is something that started relatively recently: there are many projects, proposals for shared courses between universities, and other cool initiatives, but alongside that, the organizational and structural part is still solidifying because it’s a relatively new thing that still needs some trial and error.

The Student Council, as well as any activity organized during the T4EU week, is conducted in English. From a linguistic point of view, I can say I didn’t encounter any difficulties, but I also think it’s a matter of personal attitude. For example, during the first session, I went there and played the devil’s advocate, meaning I spoke several times to share my observations. It’s also about how much you challenge yourself.

Personally, I settled into the role very naturally because it’s something I’m passionate about. I consider myself an extroverted person, and for a long time, and I realized right away that it was a good opportunity for personal growth and a valuable addition to my resume. Because, in addition to contributing to the cause, you also gain something for yourself in terms of skills and opportunities.

T4EU emphasizes the connection between universities and local communities. Did you notice this interconnection during the initiatives you participated in?

Well, I saw it in the way the programs and initiatives were outlined: you can easily notice how there is a strong interest in building projects with common backgrounds, focusing on European Heritage, and everything we share as the European Community. The goal is always to find a common starting point. All the activities organized during the T4EU week are inspired by this point. One of T4EU’s missions is to develop a kind of European consciousness, to go beyond the divisions that may arise from being universities in different countries. And so, inevitably, this process requires identifying common points. To develop a shared consciousness, it’s necessary to find common ground and understand why you and I should put ourselves on the same level, why we should feel equal because we share certain things.

From the perspective of student involvement, how do UniTS students respond? Have you noticed an increase in their interest?

Look, I stopped by the T4EU office a couple of weeks ago to ask if there had been any improvement in the number of students registered for the next T4EU week, and the numbers I was given are positive, in line with previous ones, if not better. I can tell you that brochures and flyers are being designed to distribute among students to raise awareness about what T4EU is, but I don’t have feedback to give you on that as they haven’t been released yet.

If you had to convince a friend or someone else to participate in T4EU programs, what would you say to them?

First, I would explain that it’s a personal enrichment, a rather unique diversification of the educational offer provided by UniTS, which allows you to acquire many new skills while expanding your education abroad. Then, there’s the experience itself, because it clearly gives you the chance to travel, explore new places, meet new people, and create contacts for the future, while also improving your language skills. And let’s face it, the travel expenses are covered by the funds allocated to the project.

Looking to the future, what direction do you hope the Alliance will take in the coming years?

To build a stronger European Union and look towards its future development, we must necessarily go through the education system, the education of young people or anyone still studying, and try to unify it as much as possible across the EU countries. Essentially, when the French, Italians, and Germans meet, they should be able to find common ground that doesn’t make them just French, Italian, or German, but primarily European citizens. In this regard, I hope the University continues to evolve, both in terms of the educational offer and its effectiveness. On the other hand, I really hope the Alliance receives even more recognition for the crucial role it already plays, because, as I said, it’s a point of pride for the University, an attraction that could influence future students’ decisions.

Which are your areas of interest within the EU? What would you like to focus on?

As for my interests, I’ve always had a strong passion for the education sector, even since high school, when I first got involved in student representation. I believe high school is a critical point, perhaps the most important, both in Italy and in Europe, for improving education quality and addressing the mismatch between study and work. University is a connecting link, but it all starts in high school.

Moreover, thanks to my studies in International and Diplomatic Sciences, I’ve developed a strong interest in the European Union’s foreign policy. In fact, I’m considering doing my thesis on European common defense, a topic I’d love to work on in the future. I think we’re in a very delicate historical moment: with the world around us so unstable, we need an effective foreign policy to overcome current divisions. This is one of the areas I’m focusing on and would like to delve into.

How do you think this experience has influenced your view of your role as a European citizen? How do you feel more prepared to tackle the social, environmental, and digital challenges Europe will face in the future?

I would say that, picking up the conversation on the European background I mentioned earlier, many of the common goals and values of the European Union and related organizations often risk going from being shared principles to becoming mere rhetoric. Sometimes we fill our mouths with grand declarations, but then concretely nothing happens, and that’s a problem. It’s important to distinguish between what is truly meaningful and what is just a waste of time. I believe the valid contribution is made when we can distinguish between what has value and what doesn’t, and from this perspective, the T4EU experience has been very formative for me.

Also, being part of an alliance that works on a collegial basis, where it’s never just one person deciding, I’ve understood how crucial it is, when we talk about the European community, to challenge oneself and compare one’s ideas with others, while always maintaining an open mind.