Voices from Abroad: Giovanni Mazzacani

Seoul (South Korea), Exchange Program, Yonsei University

Giovanni poses with a woman wearing traditional Korean wedding outfit

Kamsahamnidà is the Korean word for thank you. I came back from my exchange program in South Korea one month ago but Kamsahamnidà is still fixed in my mind! Four months were enough to challenge my personality, language and culture. But don't worry, I am still 100% Italian. However something has changed. I feel more enriched, more complete, more open toward a global prospective. Before this fall semester at Yonsei University I could not imagine how different Asia is from Europe and, at the same time, how incredible and exciting are the culture, the people, the economy, the university and every single day of my stay in Seoul. What made it so incredibly different?

The food is so spicy which means that eating is more of a challenge than a pleasure - at least during the first week! My university campus was as large as a village with approximately 30,000 students. It has several restaurants, grocery stores, hair dressers, banks, soccer and rugby fields and even a florist. The population of Seoul is 20 million people and 10 million people live in the city itself. Everywhere you go you can see buildings and skyscrapers going up; you come back after a month and you cannot believe that the place was the same you had been one month before. I was surprised and skeptical about Korea's unbelievable economic performance. Why is Korea performing so well when the rest of the world is going through an economic crisis? I asked many people there this question. I also took one of the most interesting classes in my whole academic life: Business and Politics in Korea.

After four months I got the answer: commitment, optimism and passion. This is the secret of Korea's success. Koreans taught me to believe in my dreams and in my country. They taught me not to focus on the negatives, but rather be optimistic. I still remember what a good Korean friend of mine told me "Giovanni, work hard and be nice. This is the key to success." This is what, I believe, has allowed South Korea to have a striking 6.3% GDP growth and a company called Samsung to achieve $165 billion sales and nearly $14 billion profits in 2010.

Typical Korean barbecue, with bulgogi meat

In one word I can tell you, prospective study abroad students, the secret to getting the most from your exchange program in Korea or anywhere in the world is adaptability. You will find that many things are different compared to Italy. Most of them, at first sight, will annoy you. Don't criticize or have prejudices. Open your mind and see the opportunities behind what is different and what you cannot understand at the beginning. Everything will start appearing incredible and exciting!

My exchange program with its international and multicultural environment allowed me to improve my communication skills and my ability to build relationships, broaden my horizons, learn from colleagues with different backgrounds and contribute to a dynamic team environment. I'm sure you will be able to tell me the same as soon as you come back from your study abroad experience. I believe that this experience has contributed to my growth both as an individual and as a professional. That is why I take all the chances I'm given to travel abroad and to learn about ways of life that are different from mine.

As for the next academic year? I'm looking forward to going to China for one year for a Double Degree program between Bocconi and Fudan University.

Now I can truly say "every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world" - Harriet Tubman.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions: giovanni.mazzacani@gmail.com. In bocca al lupo!