By Luca Grittini and Julian Kratzer, S5EN, Frankfurt
In this episode of Eurocast Julian and Luca interview Carlo Giudice, a 22-year-old graduate of the Ixelles school in Brussels. Carlo starts by talking about the relationship between the four European Schools in Brussels. He mentions the Spring and Winter Ball, the differences between the schools and sports competitions.
Then, Carlo goes on to discuss his life after graduation, which has very much been shaped by the European School System. When it was time to decide what to study Carlo had two options: he could either go the natural science route or study something that would allow him to interact with and meet new people. In the end, Carlo chose the latter, and found an interdisciplinary bachelors programme in “sociology, political science and communication studies”.
These three years further broadened Carlo’s world view, giving him insight on international issues through the many international classmates he was working with.
Now, Carlo is writing his masters thesis about regulating political campaigns on social media platforms. He also gives Julian and Luca an idea of what it means to study communication studies: sharing an anecdote of his first communication studies class, in which the professor described the class as the “the Mickey Mouse studies”. Carlo explained that although a large part of the field is looking at the “audio-visual industry… it’s just a fraction”. For example, one can look at communications in politics, the history of communications, the effect of communications on society, and so much more.
Carlo expressed his gratitude for the classes (such as philosophy) and the multi-national environment during his time at the European School, as they helped him with his studies, thinking critically, and turning him into the truly European citizen that he is today. But, Carlo notes, there is still room for the European Schools to improve. He believes schools are often overcrowded and that the schools need to create a new model for funding.
Lastly, towards the end of the podcast, Carlo talks about Volt Europa, a growing pro-European party of which he is part. He is now chair of the executive branch of the Belgian party and plans to fulfil the “Pan European, progressive and pragmatic” goals of the party. Carlo also explains the importance of making the “electoral programmes not only in content but also how it is delivered, inclusive”. He stresses how essential “listening to people, listening to communities” is and how citizens need to stay informed on electoral programmes to ensure the democratic process.
Carlo ends the episode with a message that applies to all European students: “Follow your heart, and try to listen to yourself and other people. You can learn so much from it.”
Listen to Eurocast to find out more: https://open.spotify.com/show/39JT1ulHvo7Mf00yYINI6Y?si=345b0b7f8f364e71
