Matteo Comelato is originally from Borca di Cadore, a small village in the heart of the Dolomites. He is currently a graduate student in Science and Technology for the Environment and Nature at the University of Trieste. During his studies, he took part in several initiatives organised by the Transform4Europe Alliance.
What brought you to your area of study? What are your current interests?
I come from a small village of 700 inhabitants in the Cadore valley, in the heart of the Dolomites. Living in such a unique natural setting, I developed a strong connection to the environment right from the start. This led me to choose the degree course in Science and Technology for the Environment and Nature at UniTS. Over the years, I have developed a great interest in rural areas and maps. Growing up in a mountainous area, where life can be challenging, reinforced my desire to study the resilience of rural communities. I therefore developed a strong interest in maps during my second year at university, when I took Professor Bacaro’s course on geographic information systems and map digitisation. I discovered the potential of maps in depicting data in a clear and understandable way, especially when dealing with topics such as rural depopulation and the analysis of natural events. Using maps to illustrate the frequency and intensity of events is an effective way to make the public understand what is really happening on the ground.
How did the idea of participating in the Transform4Europe project come about?
During my second year of studies, Professor Bacaro told me about the Transform4Europe project, which was still in its infancy at the time. I was intrigued by the opportunity to integrate English language courses from other European universities into my studies. I participated in T4EU Week and attended an International Negotiation course in Katowice, Poland. Although not strictly related to my curriculum, it was an incredibly interesting experience. I was impressed to see students from different disciplines coming together to study the same topic, with strong interaction and collaboration. I noticed that students were asking a lot of questions, showing a real interest in the topics. This desire to understand and communicate was evident and contributed to a very positive learning environment. It was an immersive experience, during which we participated in various cultural events organised by the university, such as concerts of traditional music and screenings of Polish films.
Did you have other experiences in the Transform4Europe project?
Yes, after T4EU Week I continued working as a student coordinator. I worked as a volunteer during T4EU Weeks in Trieste, assisting T4EU Trieste coordinators in different organisational phases. Moreover, I had the opportunity to attend two other courses within T4EU project: I remember with pleasure Intercultural Relations, a course I attended remotely and which gave me important tools to communicate effectively in multicultural contexts. Another course I attended was Corporate Digitisation at the University of Saarbrücken, Germany. We explored how complex it is to digitise business processes, discovering that behind simple digital archiving there are very complex steps that require attention.
The T4EU programme is funded by the EU and aims to create a common European consciousness. How do you think this experience has influenced your view of your role as a European citizen? Did you feel part of a community?
The T4EU project confirmed my vision of a European community. Living this experience on my own skin, encountering students of different nationalities and sharing ideas around a working table without any language or cultural barrier was rewarding. The desire to communicate overcame all obstacles, creating an inclusive and enriching environment. It was an experience that I highly recommend to all students: participating in projects like this allows you to feel part of something bigger and to build international relationships that can leave a mark.
