My name is Pasquale Tufano and I am currently enrolled in the Master’s degree in Management of International Enterprises at the University of Naples “Parthenope.” My academic background combines economics, business management, and internationalization processes, which has given me the opportunity to study both the theoretical and practical aspects of how companies operate across borders. Over the years, I have developed a strong interest in topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, consumer behavior, and digital innovation, as I am convinced that these areas represent the future of economic development and the most dynamic opportunities for young professionals.
In particular, I am fascinated by the way in which digital platforms and new technologies can reshape traditional sectors, from transport to hospitality, and how they can create new value for consumers while offering small and medium-sized enterprises the chance to scale internationally. This curiosity is not only academic but also personal: I enjoy exploring how new tools, apps, and business models can simplify people’s lives, encourage innovation, and bring communities closer together.
I decided to participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program because I wanted to go beyond classroom learning and live a concrete experience abroad, where I could both contribute and learn. I believe that the best way to understand entrepreneurship is to observe it from the inside and to participate actively in a project. The motivation came partly from my own curiosity and ambition, but also from the wish to test myself outside of my comfort zone, in a context where adaptation, resilience, and intercultural communication are essential. Moreover, the opportunity to join Patoko, a young and innovative company based in Tirana, appeared to me as the ideal environment: its vision of becoming a super-app that integrates multiple services (from transport to bookings and delivery) perfectly matches my academic and personal interests.
During my exchange I expect to grow both as a person and as a future professional. On the human side, I see this experience as a chance to immerse myself in a new culture, to adapt to different rhythms of life, and to strengthen my ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Living abroad for several months is not always easy, but I am convinced that challenges such as language barriers or cultural differences are opportunities for growth, as they build flexibility and open-mindedness.
On the professional side, I am already gaining valuable insights into how a digital platform can position itself in an emerging market, how to establish partnerships with local businesses, and how to design strategies that place the customer at the center. Working on a project with Patoko allows me to understand the balance between innovation and practicality: how to dream big but also how to execute ideas in a sustainable and structured way. I believe these lessons will be extremely useful for my future, as I aim to develop entrepreneurial projects with a clear international perspective.
In conclusion, I see the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program not only as an exchange, but as a transformative journey. It is giving me the opportunity to contribute to an innovative project abroad, to learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs, and to acquire competences that will remain with me for life. This experience is already shaping the way I see my future career and reinforcing my belief that entrepreneurship is not only about ideas, but about people, collaboration, and the ability to build something meaningful in different contexts.