by Maria Elisa Bizzotto

This summer, I embarked on a journey that helped me find clarity and a newfound fondness for my international identity. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, by an Italian father and a Belgian mother, I’ve always felt torn between my roots. I grew up speaking both English and Italian, surrounded by European traditions, yet I never fully fit into a singular identity. In Toronto, I clung to my Italian heritage as a source of stability while navigating my sense of self, but in Italy, I was always seen as “the Canadian.” 

This internal conflict led to my decision to move to Italy for university, hoping to connect more deeply with my Italian roots. However, after moving to Milan to undertake the Communication Management (COMMA) BSc degree, I continued to struggle with feeling fully connected. Despite my fluency in the language and countless summers spent with family and friends, I realised that growing up in Canada had shaped me in ways that made it difficult to relate completely to the Italian academic and cultural environment. My Belgian identity, meanwhile, felt even more distant. I never learned Flemish and my focus on strengthening my Italian identity meant that my connection to my mother’s heritage remained more subtle. 

This summer, while spending a month studying Spanish Language and Culture at the University of Salamanca, everything shifted. I didn’t just go to Spain to improve my Spanish; I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. In Salamanca, I had to rely entirely on Spanish, without the safety net of my fluency in Italian. The experience forced me to immerse myself in a new language and navigate a world that was unfamiliar yet exciting in its novelty. 

Just like at Università Cattolica, the University of Salamanca offered an environment that was as diverse as it was welcoming. My classes at Salamanca, much like those at Cattolica, were filled with students from all over the world, each bringing unique stories and experiences that enriched our conversations in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In Spain, I met a Belgian girl who unknowingly sparked a profound reflection within me. Her mindset was global, shaped by studying in different countries and learning new languages. Through our conversations, I realised something I hadn’t before: my Belgian roots had always been a part of me, woven into my childhood in subtle ways I had overlooked. This realisation – that I had been neglecting a part of myself – was a turning point. 

Suddenly, memories came flooding back – my mother’s Belgian traditions, her native language spoken in affectionate moments. I had spent so much time trying to belong to either my Italian or Canadian identity that I had forgotten there was a third dimension to who I was. This experience didn’t just reconnect me with my Belgian heritage; it fundamentally changed how I saw myself.

«My identity wasn’t a puzzle to solve or a label to fit into. It was a mosaic – a vibrant blend of experiences, cultures, and languages that made me who I am»

What struck me the most during my time in Salamanca wasn’t finding people with similar backgrounds; it was finding those who shared the same openness to the world. Our conversations were less about where we came from and more about the journeys we had taken – how we adapted to new places, embraced new languages, and navigated multiple cultures. What bonded us wasn’t fitting into a category, but rather our shared experience of not fitting into any one category at all. And that made our connections even stronger. I realised that belonging to multiple places isn’t about nationality – it’s about connection. It's about embracing the fluidity of identity and the richness of experiences that come from living, studying, and growing in different cultures. 

At that moment, I stopped searching for a singular identity and began to embrace the beauty of all the places and cultures that have shaped me. Meeting people who valued experiences over labels showed me that my story, with all its layers, is worth sharing.

«I realised that my diverse background was not a challenge to overcome, but a source of strength that had shaped me in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated»

By the end of the summer, I felt a deep sense of completion. I no longer saw my multifaceted identity as something that needed to be fixed or resolved. This realisation opened my eyes to the vibrant community around me at Università Cattolica. For anyone who feels torn between identities or unsure of where they belong, my advice is to embrace your uniqueness and engage fully with those around you. This university fosters a spirit of openness and inclusion that celebrates diversity – not by defining you, but by encouraging you to bring every part of yourself to the table. 

You can feel this in classroom discussions, where different cultural viewpoints spark deeper conversations, and around campus, where students share stories in a mix of languages. Walking through the courtyards and common spaces, you notice how naturally connections form, crossing borders and backgrounds. I’m proud to be an active part of this community – one that values each student’s diverse background as a strength and adds to the richness of our shared experience.

«Università Cattolica is more than just a place to study; it’s a place to grow, belong, and celebrate the global mindset that unites us»