Summer School for Employees: Never Stop Learning, Never Stop Dreaming

An Intensive Experience at the London School of Economics for Francesca and Laura

Francesca, 31, an intrinsically curious soul with an immense passion for dogs and good food (except cheese), and Laura, born in 1994, a young colleague who joined UniCredit through the Impact Graduate Program, with the lifelong dream of becoming a journalist: two friends at UniCredit united by the same thirst for knowledge and willingness to challenge themselves.

Friends since day one at UniCredit, despite working in different teams, Francesca and Laura have shared a path of training and friendship that led them to recognize a unique opportunity in the UniCredit Foundation Summer School for Employees. The program, now in its eleventh edition, offers 20 employees each year the chance to attend an intensive university course at prestigious international institutions like the London School of Economics (LSE).

Both saw this opportunity as a chance not only for professional development but also for personal growth.

Francesca, naturally curious and always stimulated by learning new things, chose to focus on Brand Strategy.

Laura, who has always loved telling stories, aimed for the International Journalism course. The shared expectation was to return "to school" for a formative and stimulating experience in the vibrant setting of London.

An Intensive Experience at the London School of Economics for Francesca and Laura

Francesca, 31, an intrinsically curious soul with an immense passion for dogs and good food (except cheese), and Laura, born in 1994, a young colleague who joined UniCredit through the Impact Graduate Program, with the lifelong dream of becoming a journalist: two friends at UniCredit united by the same thirst for knowledge and willingness to challenge themselves.

Friends since day one at UniCredit, despite working in different teams, Francesca and Laura have shared a path of training and friendship that led them to recognize a unique opportunity in the UniCredit Foundation Summer School for Employees. The program, now in its eleventh edition, offers 20 employees each year the chance to attend an intensive university course at prestigious international institutions like the London School of Economics (LSE).

Both saw this opportunity as a chance not only for professional development but also for personal growth.

Francesca, naturally curious and always stimulated by learning new things, chose to focus on Brand Strategy.

Laura, who has always loved telling stories, aimed for the International Journalism course. The shared expectation was to return "to school" for a formative and stimulating experience in the vibrant setting of London.

Winning the scholarship allowed Francesca and Laura to live three intense, stimulating, and, by their own admission, even challenging weeks.

Being back in the LSE classroom, in classes made up of international students, pushed them to rediscover the habit of focused listening, active participation in class discussions, and working on university team projects.

For Francesca, it was an opportunity to practice public speaking even in a non-native language, bringing home the feeling of being fortunate to have lived such an enriching and vibrant experience.

Laura, sitting in that classroom, was able to listen to testimonies from journalists from all over the world with extraordinary careers, confirming her vocation.

Both returned professionally enriched, with new formative perspectives and a network of human connections that made the experience even more meaningful. An unforgettable moment that made this experience truly significant

The experience was full of moments that cemented its value. For Francesca, a piece of advice that stuck with her came from a speaker in the classroom: "Choose only the things that excite you." A reminder that made her feel that professional growth is inseparable from personal growth. For Laura, the greatest emotion came from walking through the entrance of the LSE, a "jolt to the heart" that signified the realization of a lifelong dream.

Winning the scholarship allowed Francesca and Laura to live three intense, stimulating, and, by their own admission, even challenging weeks.

Being back in the LSE classroom, in classes made up of international students, pushed them to rediscover the habit of focused listening, active participation in class discussions, and working on university team projects.

For Francesca, it was an opportunity to practice public speaking even in a non-native language, bringing home the feeling of being fortunate to have lived such an enriching and vibrant experience.

Laura, sitting in that classroom, was able to listen to testimonies from journalists from all over the world with extraordinary careers, confirming her vocation.

Both returned professionally enriched, with new formative perspectives and a network of human connections that made the experience even more meaningful. An unforgettable moment that made this experience truly significant

The experience was full of moments that cemented its value. For Francesca, a piece of advice that stuck with her came from a speaker in the classroom: "Choose only the things that excite you." A reminder that made her feel that professional growth is inseparable from personal growth. For Laura, the greatest emotion came from walking through the entrance of the LSE, a "jolt to the heart" that signified the realization of a lifelong dream.

Laura

"When I walked through the entrance of the London School of Economics, I felt a jolt to my heart. Sitting in that classroom and listening to the testimonies of journalists from all over the world, with extraordinary careers, was one of the most beautiful experiences of recent years. I felt exactly in the right place, at the right time. I will forever be grateful to the UniCredit Foundation for giving me the opportunity to realize one of my lifelong dreams: attending an International Journalism course at the LSE and translating my intentions into real projects.”

Summer School for Employees: never stop learning, never stop dreaming