«As a child I watched James Bond films and dreamed of becoming a secret agent. I was fascinated by the firmness, the courage, the ability to face risks with elegance. Today, in a certain sense, I continue to chase that idea: I don’t fight criminals, but I try to overcome my limits every day.”
Sometimes, life takes unexpected directions. For Giovanni Gallina, thoughtful, curious and enterprising, born in 2000, it all started in Messina, but his story demonstrates that curiosity and courage can transform a boy’s aspirations into an international journey made up of challenges, travels and successes and start-ups to learn about.
«I never wanted to live a predictable life – says Giovanni -. From an early age I felt a push within me to get involved, to understand what was beyond what I knew.” After attending the “La Farina” classical high school, he experienced an intense period at the “Teulié” military school in Milan.
A very tough but decisive experience that taught him discipline, respect and above all not to give up in the face of difficulties. After? Industrial engineering, although he soon realized that it wasn’t his path: «I needed something that spoke to my passions, that allowed me to understand people, companies, the way in which ideas become reality.
So I chose “Business Management” at the University of Messina and I must say that even in our latitudes it is possible to obtain excellent foundations.” In three and a half years he graduated, enriching his career with an Erasmus in Slovakia and work with Heineken and Campari. «Working in two such different multinationals – he points out – made me understand that the business world is made up of people, not just numbers. That’s where I started to imagine my career on a global scale.” At 22, Giovanni had a good job but in his heart he was itching to do something else, he didn’t want a permanent contract but to get out of his comfort zone, get involved again, betting on his potential.
And that’s how he decided to apply to the prestigious “Fulbright” program, winning one of the most competitive scholarships in the world. «I don’t forget – he recalls – the moment I received the news: I was in disbelief, excited, grateful. It was one of the greatest satisfactions of my life” Thanks to this opportunity he flew to the USA to attend a Master’s in Marketing at the “University of Minnesota”.
The turning point then arrives in the “Big Apple”, where Giovanni spends a decisive period and meets a partner with whom he creates a project with the aim of creating an experience that allows young people from all over the world to discover what doing business really means.
«This is how the “New York Business Fellowship” was born – he underlines – a 7-day program that offers students and young professionals the opportunity to enter the heart of the New York ecosystem, including company visits, “mentorship” and “networking” with sector leaders. The first edition was exciting: 7 kids from 6 different countries participated. I saw them return home with eyes full of enthusiasm and new perspectives.”
Giovanni does not forget his origins: «Messina remains my home. I know that one day I will return, not out of nostalgia, but to give back what I have learned. My city has enormous potential: it can become a hub for digital nomads, for startups, for those who want to innovate. But we need to open up more, with courage and vision. I believe a lot in the new generations of Messina. If we come together and bring new ideas, we can really change things.”
And the advice to young people is one: «Say yes. Yes to an opportunity, yes to a journey, yes to something that scares you. Don’t wait until you feel ready: you will never really be. But every experience will be precious.”