Describe why you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia community.

I remember visiting Columbia in 2004 when my brother Tomas was gaining his LL.M. Strolling through Columbia’s campus, I noticed how students and professors engaged in lively conversation outside of the classroom (so different from Italy!). My brother even struck up a conversation with Professor Melvin Eisenberg who invited us for lunch! This vibrant atmosphere left a lasting impression on me.

As I looked into my MBA, Columbia struck me as the perfect fit. Not only would I love to experience this culture of proximity between professors and students, but I’m also impressed by student relationships. I see the cluster system, with its close-knit nature, as an ideal environment to forge lasting ties. Even six years after my studies in the Netherlands with 80 other international students, I count many as very close friends, with whom I keep in touch and see often. Replicating this experience would be of great personal value to me.

I am also attracted to Columbia’s dynamic extra-curriculars, particularly the Microlumbia Fund. Having read Dambisa Moyo’s Dead Aid, I believe microfinance is the most efficient tool to foster development, despite its scalability issues. If accepted at Columbia, I plan to volunteer at a Italian microfinance institution between February and June 2013, and would love to join Microlumbia from day one at Columbia.

Finally, given my passion for traveling and pleasure at organizing social activities, I would be the first to sign up for the World Tour Club and would love to be involved in its organization.