Interview with Carlo Secchi, student at the Academy of Architecture

Carlo Secchi is a student at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio and he experienced both study and internship experiences abroad.

“My Name is Carlo Secchi, a 24 years old student from Napoli, Italy. Architecture fascinated me since I was very young. After graduating at Liceo scientifico G. Mercalli, I was hesitant about which university to apply for. At first, I enrolled myself to Univeristà Federico II di Napoli, where I un- derstood that architecture was the right path for me. The following year, I moved to Ticino and started studying at Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio; it was love at first sight! A real “accademia”, where to find the right mix of scientific and humanistic knowledge. After one year of intern- ship between Lausanne and New York, I am currently studying at ETSAM in Madrid.”

Why did you decide to have both a study and an internship experience abroad?

“Should I go with the easy answer? I always felt the necessity to change. One of the great lessons my parents gave me, is that travelling and knowing other cultures enriches you in many aspects; and most important, it opens your mind.”

In which way have those periods abroad enriched you, academi- cally, professionally and personally?

“Thanks to a different method I could prove myself the flexibility of my learning skills. Developing my Spanish and English, I got the chance to interact with diverse qualified professionals who helped me to assimilate the base and priorities in a working environment and, last but not least, I real- ized what real work means and what I would like be doing in the future.”

What are the main differences between the two experiences?

“Both working and studying abroad is challenging. When you have a job, most of the times, you feel part of a group and gain your own independence; duties and responsibilities first. When you are a student, you think to have more time but it is only an illusion. Feeling the academic pressure is stressful but usually rewarding.”

How a study and a working experience abroad makes you smarter?

“You achieve the ability to make connections among many ideas, which you gain through experience. Having an international career or identifying with more than one culture makes you a better problem solver and lets you display more creativity. You also come in contact with a lot of stress, which is the stimulus for us to grow.”

“We have to realize that time of stress are also time that are signals of growth, and if we use the adversity properly, we can grow through adversity.” (Dr. Abraham Joshua Twerski).

Do you think such experiences will help students in their future career path?

“Yes, definitely. As a result of studying abroad, people have a more sophisticated way of looking at the world. Internships are a good way to experience local culture in the workplace and to improve foreign language skills, as well as to expand work experience. Backgrounds like those are worth living and will always be unforgettable.”