Others

Throughout my years away from home in Catania, I also cultivated numerous passions and engaged in various extracurricular activities. Around 2011, my discovery of photography quickly evolved into an impassioned hobby. I dedicated countless hours wandering the city, capturing moments, and delving into the art of photo editing on Photoshop. In 2012, I ventured beyond my comfort zone, applying my skills to secure a position as a photographer at LiveUniCT, the university newspaper. For approximately three years, during my free time, I collaborated with editors on article composition and actively participated in city events. While LiveUniCT was then a modest entity, it had clear aspirations—to become an officially registered journalistic publication. In 2014, together with fellow members, we enrolled in the StartUp Academy, an academic contest designed to transform ideas into entrepreneurial ventures. Although we didn't clinch victory, the insights and ideas gleaned during those sessions significantly contributed to the eventual realization of the project.

Simultaneously, during those formative years, I took on the role of a math and physics tutor at Campus Athena, assisting students with homework and preparing them for quizzes and assignments. Admittedly, initial encounters with the prospect of guiding youngsters left me nervous. However, over time, I not only gained confidence in the role but also discovered a genuine satisfaction in making the learning of math and science, if not enjoyable, at least less intimidating for students. My tenure at Campus culminated in preparing fifth-year high school students for medical school entrance exams.

In 2017, driven by escalating university commitments, I concluded my collaboration with Campus Athena but continued tutoring in math and physics for another organization. Thus, in 2018, I embarked on a new chapter with the non-profit organization Mediterraneo Sicilia Europa. Here, I worked with a deserving non-European student who secured a scholarship based on academic merits. This collaboration lasted only for the academic year, after which I decided to focus solely on my final exams for my master's degree.

From late 2018 to early 2020, I persisted as a private math and physics tutor, dedicating time to a select group of students whenever my university schedule allowed. In March 2020, amidst Italy's declaration of a lockdown, I transitioned this tutoring activity online. Despite inevitable challenges, my students and I successfully navigated assignments and corrections via Skype. Towards the end of 2020, I made the decision to bid farewell to Catania and embark on a new venture—my Ph.D. journey in smartworking, prompted in part by the ongoing pandemic.