Today, believing in your dreams is something we hear often and from many people. However, dreams have many shapes, but none of them are inferior to the others. I would like to tell you, by sharing my experience, that what you are creating today, even though it requires a lot of effort, will be the key to unlocking that dream you've always imagined.
Today I live and study in Chongqing, but before becoming an International student, I was a student in a small city called Ferrara, in Italy. My passion for China began at a very young age, when my parents took me to a Chinese restaurant at the age of five. I began to be fascinated by this culture, starting with its flavors. So, at the age of thirteen, I decided to start studying Chinese in high school, almost as a joke. But here I am.
My big dream, when I turned seventeen, was to attend university in China. My conviction was driven by my first trip to Guangzhou and Chengdu in 2019, which left me amazed. I dreamed every day of reliving those emotions and breathing in that atmosphere. Despite my desire to return, the sacrifices to make all this possible were many. At first, the Chinese language was difficult for me and therefore required many hours of study and concentration, but not only that. I decided to commit myself fully, and to challenge myself, I decided to take the Chinese language certification level 4.
To my great surprise, I passed. Why was that so important? I didn't imagine it yet, but it allowed me to obtain a scholarship to realize my dream: studying in China. Often, looking back, I think of all the times I thought about giving up or thought, "Why does it have to be so difficult?" I've often wondered why I wanted to complicate things for myself; perhaps I could have chosen an easier path or gone elsewhere. But probably, I wouldn't have felt fulfilled or proud of my abilities as much as I am now. Above all, I wouldn't have had the unique experiences this journey has offered me, experiences I could never imagine happening, in addition to the many encounters that have helped me grow and become who I am today.
With my experience, I'd like to tell you that if you have a dream, whatever it is, go for it and try. It will be tiring at first, very tiring, and there will be many obstacles and fears that will push you to stop, but they are precisely those that will open the biggest door for you. Don't be afraid to move from where you are, because only by changing, you will give a chance to your dreams.（Caterina Cazzola）
