Who am I?
I was born on September 3rd, 1992, in Gallarate, a city nestled between Milan and the Italian-Swiss border. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always dreamed of being somewhere else—escaping daily life and imagining myself traveling to far-off lands and worlds. It’s no surprise that most of my childhood memories are intertwined with books and libraries.
My first big move came during university when I had the chance to live alone for a few months in Valencia, Spain, as part of my Erasmus program. It was here that my passion for languages took root, and, unexpectedly, so did an interest in Korea. But that’s a story for another time! As the saying goes, once you start, you can’t stop. Just three years later, I found myself in New Orleans, USA, for another university exchange. With each experience, I became more convinced that I needed to explore, live in other countries, and see what I could discover away from home. Perhaps that’s why I ended up in Switzerland by chance—and who knows, this may not be my final stop either.
Traveling isn’t the only thing that brings joy to my life. In my free time, you’ll often find me crocheting and knitting, always accumulating more patterns than I have time to complete. I’m also known for passionately explaining why Star Wars is so great, though I wouldn’t call myself a fanatic! And I’m one of those people who still loves sending postcards the old-fashioned way—receiving something in the mail makes me as happy as a child on Christmas morning.
Africa also has held a special place in my heart since childhood, and in 2024, I finally achieved a long-held dream by qualifying as a safari guide. This new chapter has deepened my love for the continent and its incredible wildlife, adding another layer to my passion for exploration.
Of course, describing who we are in a few lines is nearly impossible, but this gives you a glimpse of me. I think a friend summed it up best when introducing me at the Toastmasters Club (another of my adventures!): “We’re welcoming Marina to Toastmasters! Knitting queen, cat adorer, fantasy fan, addicted traveler. We have a lot to learn and share with her.” All things considered, I’d say that’s pretty accurate!
Random Facts
- I literally collect everything: beer bottles, postcards, magnets, wine labels...
- I like to crochet, knit, and sew in my free time. Here you can see some of my works.
- I love cats and I grew up with a grey one, Doremi. In 2023, I adopted a new one, Momo.
- One of my favorite animals is the pig.
- I coordinate trips for Viaggi e avventure nel mondo.