Reflecting on the first half of my stay abroad, it’s a bit surreal to be at the halfway point. It feels like just yesterday I arrived, filled with excitement and a bit of uncertainty. Now, things are clearer; the initial chaos has settled, and I’m beginning to truly grasp the work and the environment. Yet, even though I’ve learned so much, I realize there’s still so much more to explore and I really want to continue growing. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in this experience. It has filled my heart with joy and expanded my knowledge in ways I didn’t expect. In the upcoming days, I will begin conducting client visits myself, focusing on the foundations of beekeeping. We’ve worked hard, collected data and even created a new association to help our cause. One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve fixed the website, aligning it with the strategic activity plan we established together at the beginning.
It was a huge work but we collaborated very well with my HE, there is a good feeling! feels great to see all our hard work come to life. Now, we’re in the process of profiling potential collaborators and members who can help her grow her/our mission of educating people on the importance of bees and the conservation of the territory. And.. everything is in Spanish! This has been a huge personal milestone. I’m amazed at how fluent my Spanish has become in such a short time. It’s still surreal to think I’m communicating so comfortably in a language I once struggled with.
Natalia, the HE I’m working with, has been a huge source of inspiration. She’s an incredibly strong, a woman entrepreneur, a feminist, and someone who stands for what she believes in. Watching her passion and dedication has motivated me deeply. She is not just running a business; she’s doing vital work in education and awareness, striving to make a tangible difference in the community. Her approach to everything is inspirational, how she balances business with social impact. I’ve learned so much from her and I’ll bring some of what I’ve learned back to Italy, focusing on similar causes in my territory. When I think about the challenges during this collaboration, the first one that comes to mind was the language barrier. Initially, it felt like a wall I had to climb, but as the weeks went by and I dedicated time to improving my Spanish, that wall came down quickly.
Another challenge was adjusting to the pace of work of an active firm since many years and understanding the expectations in such a short time. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but now I feel more confident navigating the responsibilities and timelines, I understand and follow the objectives and priorities.
As for the objectives of the program, I’m happy to report that they’re not only being met, but exceeded. The exchange of knowledge has been incredibly rich and rewarding. The focus on economic and business management has been exactly what Ecoalpispa needed. Personally, I’ve gained valuable insights into the intricacies of running a business, especially as a solo female entrepreneur with strong ethical values. It’s been eye-opening and truly empowering.
When I think about the remainder of my exchange, I honestly don’t feel the need for any significant adjustments. Everything has flowed quite smoothly, and I’ve been lucky to have the right match. This opportunity feels just right, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
I’ve deepened my understanding of ecological beekeeping, especially the business side of it. But more than just technical knowledge, I’ve gained practical experience in areas like time management, strategic planning, building community connections. These are skills I know will serve me well moving forward.
One of the most important insights I’ve gained is the significance of strong, ethical leadership, especially as a woman in business. Seeing how my mentor channels her passion and dedication into every aspect of her work has been a powerful reminder of what true leadership looks like. I’ve also learned how much cultural immersion and language play a role in both personal and professional growth, it’s an incredible tool for deeper connection, enabling me to engage more meaningfully with both the people and the work I’m doing here.
I’m excited for the next half of my exchange, eager to continue learning, applying what I’ve learned so far and seeing where this journey takes me.
