Gaia di monte

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself – who are you, where do you come from and what are your hobbies?
HEY HEY HEEYY my name is Gaia Di Monte, I’m 20 years old and I’m a member of AEGEE-Udine (a small city in the north east side of Italy) since 2018. Eventhough I was born in Padova (near Venice), I have lived in Udine since I was 4 years old. I also study here … and I can say that it’s a really nice city! My faculty is Public Relations, which is related to communication and advertising 😊 My favorite hobbies are eating and sleeping but I also like reading, dancing everywhere and everything, travelling aaand eventhough I might be a bit lazy sometimes, I have practiced Karate since I was a child! 

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How/why did you discover AEGEE?
I discovered AEGEE during the last year of High School. A friend of mine, who is an active member of AEGEE-Udine, was helping me for some information about my faculty. She gave me her mobile to speak with a friend of hers and I read this strange word “AEGEE” near the name of the girl. Actually, I forgot about it until the beginning of the University, where I saw again that word because of a meeting for new members that took place in the Uni.    

Can you sketch your AEGEE-career for us? 
Due to different reasons, I wasn’t an active member during my first year in AEGEE. I’ve always took part in some small weekly events of my Local. The first European event was the RTC of AEGEE-Erfurt, where I was living for my Erasmus. An incredible experience, which allowed me to be part also at some monthly meetings of the Local in the months after the event … real AEGEE Spirit! <3 Now I’ve just come back from the SU in Bilbao, an amazing experience that I recommend A LOT. I decided to do it because during the RTC everybody was telling me that I MUST participate at such event at least once in my life … and I can’t agree more!! I’m so sad it was only one week long ☹ aaand I’ve just discovered that I was accepted at the Agora Salerno … so I ‘m really looking forward for this next experience!

What was your ultimate highlight within your time in AEGEE?
I’m starting to live an AEGEEan life only now, so I think that my “ultimate highlight” will come in the next months! 

Are there any specific plans or goals (within AEGEE) you strive towards?
I’ll try to take part at much event as possible to learn, improve my skills and meet a lot of people. For these next months, I have two big plans. The first one is being a member of the Board in my Local, but I still need to decide for which role. The second one is taking part at the SMASH Program’s courses to become a Safe Person 😊 there are too many other opportunities that I would love to catch but until now I’m thinking mostly about this two!
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Do you have a message for the members of AEGEE-Leiden?
Guys, AEGEE can give you a lot! Coming back from an event is always strange because you will not be the same person on your way back home. Sooo try to take advantage of every opportunity you think you might like … and don’t have expectations, because in AEGEE is everything quite uncommon to be imagined! And trust me, that leaving home without expectations it’s worth it! <3 a big hug from Udine and hope to see some of you somewhere!! 😊