The pandemic hasn't stopped international mobility

September 6, 2021 - TheUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma rewards 8 students who carried out a period of international mobility during the Covid-19 pandemic. These are the winners of the #Nevergiveup competition open in May 2021 and aimed at all students enrolled or graduates in a Master's Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery or in Degree or Master's Degree Courses related to the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) at an Italian University accredited by the MUR.

Students were asked to publish, on their own Instagram profile, a motivational video message on the academic, work and/or socio-cultural experience lived during the health emergency. Through the sharing of emotions and experiences of the participants, #Nevergiveup has thus gone beyond the size of the University to raise awareness among the academic community on the importance of international mobility in training and personal development.

Here are all the winners awarded by the contest:

  • Manuela Mustica Raffaele (University of Palermo) - Universidad de Oviedo, Facultad de Bioquímica, Spain
  • Gabriele Pino (University of Palermo) - HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland
  • Giorgia D'Auria (University of Palermo) - Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, Bulgaria
  • Beatrice Trinchero (LIUC Carlo Cattaneo) - Kempten University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Kempten), Germany
  • Gianluca Del Fabbro Arcopinto (Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma) - German Aerospace Center, Germany
  • Assia Chericoni (Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma) - Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
  • Roberto Billardello (Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma) - Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
  • Giulia Iandolo (Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma) - Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States

For everyone, the experience has represented a unique and unparalleled opportunity for growth on a professional and personal level, despite the difficult context imposed by the pandemic. Giorgia, for example, after returning from Bulgaria, said that Covid-19 has never represented an obstacle for her but rather "the engine that" he pushed her "to seek new international experiences". In fact, he said: "Cultural integration, the possibility of meeting new people, knowing their diversity and making them your own is one of the most beautiful things you can ever do. Never let these experiences be blocked by something". Through her story, Beatrice also encouraged her colleagues to leave despite their fears: "I highly recommend such an experience to everyone because all the things you will learn cannot be explained in words. (...) Leave despite your fear and never give up on your dreams".

>> Watch the video messages of the winners and relive their experiences