Voices from Abroad: Carlotta Fontana

Milan (Italy), MILMUN Conference
Hong Kong (China), Italian Chambers of Commerce: Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau

And then came a day that changed my outlook

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Everything began in May 2013. Bocconi was hosting a weeklong MILMUN conference and I decided to take part in this international experience. This is an academic simulation of selected UN bodies in annual Model United Nations conference.

I had the chance to meet lots of international students from all over the world, and they enlarged my expectations about the future.

Though I am a law student, I was looking for a "more international" career, trying to find and experience different ways from the standard. I came to an internship opportunity at the Italian Chamber of Commerce and decided to enroll in it.

I spent three months in Hong Kong, one of the world's leading international financial centers, working as an intern at the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong & Macau. I am enthusiastic about my time there.

Hong Kong is a unique meeting place for West and East, blending Chinese heritage, British colonial influences and hi-tech modernity. It is a booming tourist destination, shopping malls and traditional markets, skyscrapers and temples, luxury restaurants and street-side food-stalls (known locally as dai pai dong) sit side by side.

Two International Financial Centre, Hong Kong

With a population of 7 million, Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world.

English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors. This is a key point for such an international city, even if Cantonese (a southern Asia language) and Mandarin stand out.

Working at the Italian Chamber of Commerce was challenging, but at the same time they taught me a lot.

I had the chance to work with a young and motivating team. I was involved in conducting market research, research on bilateral and multilateral treaties to which Hong Kong, Macau and Italy were parties and participating in the layout, drafting and selection of texts for the Chamber's publication, such as its newsletter.

Everyone kept on asking me why I made such a choice, working abroad, at a Chamber of Commerce, instead of practicing in a law firm.

Well, I would like to encourage everyone who is trying to make up his mind about his future, that an international experience might be a good choice. It allows you to have a wider view concerning future perspectives and, in my case, led me to the choice to move there.

Good luck everyone!