LUISS student Cristiana De Ascaniis chose Morocco to pursue an internship opportunity with ICE, the Italian Trade Promotion Agency.
Completing a degree in Law, Cristiana is currently in Casablanca to put her knowledge of Business Law and Economics to use. “In July I received this chance to perform an internship. I had just finished my exams and I needed a new challenge, so I chose to expand my career opportunities in a country where the lifestyle is different from what we are used to. I’m learning so much about Morocco: it’s a country with a lot to offer, that also represents an access point to Africa, a continent with so much to explore.”
One of the most motivating factors was an Erasmus experience in France during her third year of studies. “Since the beginning of my university career, I have always sought chances to test myself, and LUISS always provided the right opportunities. The most important experience was spending a semester at the Université François-Rabelais de Tours. My time in Erasmus was fantastic, and it motivated me to expand my horizons. I had the opportunity to meet students from all over the world, making me understand how educational travel and encountering different realities can be. I became a citizen of the world and nothing can stop me.”
As an office that links Italian and Moroccan businesses and investors, ICE gave Cristiana a wide variety of tasks. “There are different things to do every day. I am primarily responsible for updating information that we offer to Italian investors through research, press reviews, articles, documents and studies. I also work with both Italian and Moroccan businesses, participating in and organizing events and trade shows. The work environment is stimulating, I have amazing colleagues and my boss does everything he can to teach me new things everyday, which motivates me to give it my all.”
After her Erasmus semester in France and a study abroad program in England, the ICE internship in Casablanca is Cristiana’s first educational experience outside of Europe. “Morocco is a country with a thousand contradictions, and living here is not always easy, especially for a girl. Not being the type to close myself up at home, I quickly learned how to interact. After just a few days I had already made friends will all the shop owners on my street. Within the first month I met people that helped me overcome small difficulties, they were very welcoming and inviting, even offering me tea. I have seen luxurious neighborhoods just next to extremely poor areas, I’ve seen sunshine and happiness, but decay and poverty too. I have had extraordinary experiences, seen magnificent places, and learned about a lifestyle so different from ours, even learning to eat with my hands from a plate shared by the whole table.”
After Casablanca, Cristiana plans on graduating and continuing her travels. “I don’t want to give up my passion for travel, I want to follow the passion I have developed for the culture of this country and continent. Africa has an enormous growth potential and I feel that it offers infinite job opportunities. I would like to become an international lawyer and offer consultation to businesses that operate abroad.”