I am Gianluca Andrea Battista, an Italian young entrepreneur, with a strong interest in fashion, luxury brands, digital creativity, and business development. My business idea is focused on creating a fashion-related project that combines creativity, strategic thinking, and a strong online presence. My Host, NICOLA Arts, is an international cultural organisation that works in the field of creativity, collaboration, and artistic exchange. I found out about Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs through my interest in international experiences and entrepreneurship, and I decided to join because I wanted to gain practical knowledge, work in a real professional environment, and develop my business idea with the support of an experienced host. I expected this experience to help me grow personally and professionally, improve my entrepreneurial skills, strengthen my project, and build new international connections.
During my EYE stay, I took part in the daily activities of NICOLA Arts, gaining practical insight into how an international creative organisation operates. My tasks included supporting project planning, contributing to communication and marketing analysis, participating in meetings, and helping explore opportunities for future collaborations and strategic development. I also worked on refining my business plan with regular guidance and feedback.
The relationship with my Host was exceptional. I found in my Host a mature, supportive, and highly experienced mentor who was always willing to share knowledge, listen carefully, and offer constructive advice. This made the exchange not only professionally valuable but also personally meaningful, as I felt constantly encouraged to grow, reflect, and improve.
The exchange brought me important benefits on both a personal and professional level. I developed stronger entrepreneurial, analytical, and communication skills, and gained a more practical understanding of project management, international collaboration, and strategic planning. I also improved my business plan through regular mentoring and practical feedback.
Another important benefit was the network of contacts I built during the stay, including creative professionals, partners, and organisations connected to my Host. These connections created promising future prospects for cooperation and opened the door to possible collaborations. Overall, the experience gave me greater confidence, clearer direction, and a stronger foundation for my future business.
This exchange was an enriching experience that strengthened my entrepreneurial mindset, expanded my international outlook, and gave me the confidence to turn ideas into concrete projects.