Gazing through the taxi window, Chiara admires the panorama that lies ahead. The traffic lights, the people, and the facades of the buildings all seemed different to her. She couldn't believe she was so far away from Italy, in a city that felt like it was taken straight out of a coming-of-age movie. The taxi comes to a stop, and with uncertainty and butterflies in her stomach, Chiara opens the door and retrieves her suitcases from the boot of the car. Towering and intimidating before her stood Harvard University. Chiara takes a picture of her surroundings to share on her Instagram profile, sharing her excitement. But deep inside, she also feels nervous about the unknown and the future. She takes a deep breath, she reminds herself that this is something she has worked hard for, something she has been eagerly anticipating for a long time – a tremendously valuable opportunity. With a bright smile and a suitcase in each hand, she steps into what would be one of the most incredible summers of her life, a summer filled with dreams and adventure.
 

In 2016, the digital revolution was well underway, transforming various aspects of our lives with the influence of emerging technologies and the rapid evolution of digital platforms. Instagram was filled with photos with saturated filters, likes, and comments. Back then it was simpler, there were no reels, no stories. It was truly a golden age for social media and those who would become its loyal users. It was here that Chiara's social media adventure began at 14 years old. Chiara defines herself as spontaneous, a person who, without expecting or planning it, connects with others, drawing inspiration from them. Perhaps in this manner unintentionally and spontaneously, she started what she calls her “digital diary,” her Instagram account which now has over 280k followers. Here, she shares what happens to her, what she thinks, and what she believes is important for others to understand. From opinions in the captions of her posts to fun Instagram stories and highlights, the diversity of her social media presence paints a vivid picture of how multifaceted she is. Chiara not only has her Instagram profile but also a successful TikTok account and a lifestyle podcast titled Chiara Chiacchiera, “Chiara Chats” on Spotify.

With bright eyes and an excited voice, Chiara tells us how much she loves her podcast and having a space where she can express herself freely, where others can come to know the real her – the one who faces obstacles and deglamourises the stereotypical influencer lifestyle a little. For Chiara, it's important to remove what’s false from social media, the things that confuse people and make them believe that everything on Instagram is picture-perfect all the time. "I don't create experiences with the intention of sharing them, rather, I do things and then I choose to share them. This approach feels natural to me, and I have never found it to be the other way around." Thus, everything she posts reflects the real life of a now 21–year old girl studying Discipline delle arti, dei media e dello spettacolo (DAMS) or Journalism at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Brescia.

Chiara realised the power she has to influence others through social media which is why she tries to fill her platforms with motivational and special moments, emphasising that if she could achieve something, someone who identifies and relates to her can also accomplish it “I would like to share with the world what I lived and perhaps even inspire people to make those experiences too.” This was the case when she participated in her summer programme at Harvard University in June 2022 to complement her journalism degree with a philosophy course. By sharing the unparalleled experiences, she had in Boston on her social media, she was able to show her followers, many of whom are fellow Università Cattolica students, that even when they have doubts about the process and themselves, with dedication and positivity, they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.

Chiara also recognised that social media and communication platforms offer many other advantages to their users, such as learning a new language. With laughter, Chiara tells us about her experience with social media and learning English. "That's how I learned English. When you know English, you can connect with a much bigger audience.” Through social media, she was able to interact and connect with people from all over the world, with diverse audiences and viewers. From there, Chiara explains that she derives her inspiration, from the diversity of people and the different interactions she has.

Having improved her English proficiency through a mix of traditional learning materials and social media platforms, Chiara was nervous as she prepared to apply her language skills in real-life situations, such as at the time attending her classes at Harvard University. But with her determination and positive and bubbly personality, she received support and motivation from her professors and friends, who had the same drive to connect with others and live memorable moments "… if I'm here, that means that I want to do this and I can do this, so I’ll do my best because I love this environment, I love that I'm here.” The study abroad experience helped Chiara practice her English and prove to herself that even with nerves and uncertainty, such as when she arrived at the university if she was there, she had to do her best and make the experience as incredible as it can be. And so, she did, sharing on her platforms the good and not-so-good aspects of college life. For Chiara, keeping everything real and precise while inspiring others was indispensable.

Chiara's experience as a content creator and influencer not only brought new opportunities and improved her skills but also helped her grow and learn more about herself. These lessons have been crucial in shaping her online presence in the current era of social media. In the summer of 2023, Chiara is set to embark on another programme at UC Berkeley, where she will be enrolled in courses focused on social media in journalism and emotional intelligence. This presents another moment of uncertainty, another challenge, as maintaining everything in order when you're an influencer, a student, and a regular 21-year-old girl. But taking the risk is worth it, and being as spontaneous as Chiara can take you to places you never imagined. Now the question arises: Are we ready to embrace challenges and embark on extraordinary adventures, just like Chiara? It is up to us to make a difference in this digital world and adapting Chiara’s “Live-Do-Share” lifestyle sounds like a great place to start.