by Gabriel Brolli

When Julia Ricci Quintas decided to leave her job and apply for a master’s programme abroad, she wasn’t following a five-year plan – she was following a question. What if studying internationally could open new doors, both personally and professionally? What if, instead of waiting for clarity, she looked for it through experience? For Julia, the answer started with a simple thought: why not Italy?

Sometimes, deciding to pursue a master’s programme isn’t about future plans or a clear idea of what comes next – it can also be an incredible opportunity to study while discovering what truly lights you up. That was the case for Julia Ricci Quintas, who saw applying as a step toward change and an opportunity to explore a new direction.

After four years of professional experience, Julia desired something different: to learn a new language, live abroad, and broaden her knowledge through academic exchange. When she came across the Executive Master in International Business at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan she remembers the programme coordinator being slightly surprised that she was interested in a course like this.
That’s because the programme required a minimum of three years’ work experience, and the typical applicant profile was aged 30 and above. Julia was only 24 when she applied.

“In Brazil, starting work early is really important,” she explains. “Internships aren’t just curricular – they’re your first step into the job market. You do your best to get hired permanently. So, no matter how young you are, you’re already seen as a proper employee.”

She believes this early exposure gave her a strong sense of maturity and responsibility – the kind that helps you evaluate which aspects of your studies are useful for your career, and which ones you carry with you as knowledge for life.

“Why not Italy?” she thought, looking at a globe one afternoon. Her mother had always loved Italian culture. Julia grew up watching RAI television (the Italian Public Broadcasting Company), listening to Italian music, and hearing stories about her mum’s time working at the Italian Society in Santos, Brazil. Italy didn’t feel far away – it has always been with her.

Julia is fueled by a single driving force: the desire to keep learning. “My dad used to buy dictionaries just to learn new words,” she says. “And my mum, a teacher, filled our home with history books and travel guides.” It’s no wonder Julia feels she inherited this passion for knowledge – a dream of “learning as much as possible” while she finds new hobbies such as crocheting, knitting and sewing.
Life abroad has brought challenges she didn’t quite expect. “I’ve realised how much I miss my family,” she reflects. “Before moving, I used to imagine myself as someone who would live abroad forever, the one who only comes back for Easter or Christmas. But the reality is very different.”

Studying while working remotely in another time zone has tested her limits. “Balancing it all – work as a Compliance Analyst for a multinational liquor company, university studies, adapting to cultural differences, making friends, and learning a new language –is a lot. You’re growing up fast in all directions.”

Still, Italy has left a mark. “I would love for Brazil to adopt the aperitivo culture – that would be amazing. Just imagine having a little drink and snacks at 7:00pm! And I guess we’ve already got the hand gestures down.

For Julia, her journey is about curiosity, culture, and carving out her own path – wherever it may lead.