Carlo Dragonetti from Italy, who earned his master's degree in International Relations at East China Normal University in 2018, served as the international student representative at the graduation ceremony. He is now the Asia-Pacific regional general manager of Granasni, a trading company.

Reflecting on his study journey at ECNU, Dragonetti says that the experience reshaped his life in profound ways, filled with stories he will never forget.

In 2015, recommended by the Confucius Institute at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dragonetti received a scholarship to study Chinese at ECNU. After a year of language study, he successfully applied to the master's program at the School of International Relations and Regional Development. Alongside his academic training and professional growth, he immersed himself in Shanghai's vibrant life, creating lasting memories that extended far beyond the classroom.

One formative experience came when he volunteered, together with more than 10 international students, to teach at a rural school in Wuyuan, Jiangxi province. Witnessing the children's smiles and experiencing the warmth of the local community, he gained a deeper understanding of the idea that giving is a form of receiving.

Soccer games also became an important part of Dragonetti's student life. As a member of the ECNU international students' soccer team for three years, he found an outlet for his passion and a strong sense of teamwork. The team won consecutive championships, but the most memorable moment came in his final year, when they clinched the championship on home ground in Shanghai. The pride, along with the shared sweat and laughter, made his university years especially fulfilling.

For Dragonetti, an unexpected turning point in his life came when he was invited to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony, which made him popular.

Upon learning he had to give a speech in Chinese in front of the entire university, he was nervous, but his inherent Italian sense of humor carried him through as he shared his story in fluent Mandarin, accompanied by some newly learned Shanghai dialect phrases.

In his address, he described his time at ECNU as a life-changing opportunity and encouraged younger students to pursue new adventures with courage and ambition.

The speech, infused with a distinctive "Italian flavor", won enthusiastic applause and laughter. Shortly afterward, a video of the moment went viral across Chinese social media, reposted by major media platforms and attracting soaring view counts. China Central Television even invited him for an interview.

He became popular both in China and Italy, earning the affectionate nickname "Hot Water Brother", pronounced kāi shuǐ gē in pinyin. Dragonetti says this unexpected moment of visibility opened new doors and gave him a broader platform for cross-cultural exchange while also forging new friendships.

For Dragonetti, graduation was not an end, but the start of a new journey. Carrying forward what he gained at ECNU, the inclusiveness for respecting differences, the curiosity to explore the unknown, and the spirit of cooperation, he has since devoted himself to promoting Sino-Italian relations. He continues to engage in educational cooperation projects and cultural exchange activities, determined to pursue personal growth and shared value on a global stage.

Source: Official WeChat account of Global Education Center of ECNU (ID: "ecnugec")