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Coming from Rome, Vittoria Patti ’23 began her journey to the University of South Florida in a way that reflects the experiences of many international students: leaving home, adjusting to a new culture, and taking college courses in a different language.  

However, her transition came with an added layer of complexity. She arrived during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when international borders were closed, and her parents were unable to travel with her, beginning this new chapter entirely on her own.  

Vittoria describes her experience as a roller coaster. “It was not a straightforward journey, but what motivated me back then, and what still motivates me today, is the belief that there may be low points, but those moments are often followed by even higher ones,” she says.

Her first moments at USF captured the uncertainty of navigating a new environment alone. Arriving on campus without a SIM card, she was unable to tell her family she had landed safely in Tampa. She went to IT to access campus Wi-Fi, but the language barrier made communication difficult. When she finally connected, she called her mom. Overwhelmed and unsure if she had made the right decision to study abroad, she broke down and said she didn’t think she could continue. But after a few weeks of patience and perseverance, it began to feel possible.  

She adopted the philosophy of simply going for it. “Instead of holding back, I decided to push myself,” Patti says. “That experience taught me not to be afraid to ask for help, because I realized people were not there to judge me. They were always happy to help.” Even when she felt uncomfortable expressing herself in English, she continued moving forward. She eventually became more involved on campus and gradually took on greater responsibilities.  

Each step strengthened her confidence and encouraged her to pursue leadership roles.  

She went on to run for USF Student Government senator. Patti recalls, “When I learned that USF had student government, I was immediately drawn to it because that is very different from how it works back home. In Italy, it is not common to give students a real role in administering educational institutions, so it surprised me positively to see that young people could use their voice.”  

Reflecting on her election win, she adds, “I was very happy to be elected, and I saw it as an opportunity to bring new ideas to the table and implement them.”  

Drawn to the idea of creating meaningful opportunities for students, she and her cohort set out to develop the International Career Fair, inspired by their own experiences navigating the U.S. job market.  “As international students ourselves, we sometimes found it difficult to understand how the U.S. job market worked and how to approach things like résumés and interviews,” she now recalls. 

They wanted to create a space where students could ask questions and receive guidance directly from experienced professionals. Through collaboration, they brought together the Office of International Services, the Center for Career & Professional Development, and immigration attorneys from law firms across the Tampa Bay area. The event proved to be a tremendous success, and in the days that followed, Vittoria received messages from students sharing how impactful the experience had been.  

However, her leadership extended beyond student government. During her time at USF, she embraced opportunities, including attending the Florida International Leadership Conference, where she met students from diverse backgrounds and broadened her understanding of global leadership. Building on this experience, she pursued an internship with the Florida House of Representatives, where she observed legislative processes and developed a deeper understanding of how policy decisions are shaped.  

Patti continued to expand her global perspective by pursuing graduate studies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Motivated by a desire to experience higher education in Europe and gain new insights, she studied international relations, specializing in conflict and human rights, while also being closer to home. 

Eager to remain committed to leadership and civic engagement, she joined the staff of Orizzonti Politici, a prominent, non-partisan Italian think tank composed of students and young professionals that produces analysis of current geopolitical issues geared toward younger voters. “When I came across Orizzonti Politici, I saw it as an opportunity to be part of a community where we shared the same mission,” Patti says. 

As Head of Communications and Media there, Patti lead a team of 12 in developing content across the organization’s platforms and has collaborated with European Union institutions. Their work has gained national recognition, including features on Italian television, an achievement that highlighted the growing impact of their efforts.  

As her involvement in European policy and media expanded, new opportunities quickly followed. In 2024, she was selected as a Special Envoy to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where she reported on plenary sessions and witnessed firsthand the election of the new Commission. Later that year, she was invited to participate in the Youth Policy Dialogue with European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen in Finland. Their discussions focused on the European Union’s technology portfolio, particularly the role of digital spaces and their impact on democracy.  

Her global engagement continued this year in March when she was selected as a Youth Delegate to the United Nations through the Young Ambassadors Society. In this role, she represented youth voices on women’s representation in public spaces.  

“It was very inspiring to be in the rooms that I had used to see in the photos in my textbooks when I was studying how the UN works and the headquarters in New York, so it was a full circle moment for me,” she says.  Being present, not only as a spectator but also as an active participant in negotiations, was especially meaningful, she says. Working alongside fellow delegates, she helped draft a policy brief containing recommendations that will be shared with diplomats and representatives from countries around the world.  

“It is just great to see that our hard work in making our voices heard is hopefully going to make a concrete difference,” she adds.

Currently, Patti is applying the skills she developed at USF as she forges a global career. She remains based in the Netherlands, where she works remotely as a Research Fellow with the European Governance Lab, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Estonia. In this capacity, she contributes to projects centered on European Union defense and NATO coordination.

In May, she will return to Rome to begin an internship with an international professional services consulting firm that helps businesses, governments, and organizations transform through strategy, technology, operations, and digital services. In this role, she will work with AI policy and regulations.  

“It was very inspiring to be in the rooms that I had used to see in the photos in my textbooks when I was studying how the UN works and the headquarters in New York." — Vittoria Patti

Ultimately, Patti intends to return to the U.S. to pursue law school and continue her advocacy for individuals navigating complex legal systems. At the heart of each of these milestones is the foundation Patti established during her time at USF, which shaped her growth, resilience, and ambition. “����������ý is still a big part of my identity today because it is the place where I grew into the person I am,” she says. “It is where I learned to step outside my comfort zone, be resilient, and follow my dreams. It taught me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication, and that I can be whatever I want. That is a lesson I carry with me in everything I do.” 

When asked what advice she would give to international students who may feel overwhelmed when they first arrive, she adds: “Don’t hold back and make the most of your time despite everything. It is challenging at first but take it one day at a time and remember why you are there and all the effort you put into being there.”   

One piece of guidance she received before leaving for the United States for her first international experience stayed with her throughout her journey. “They told me to always say yes. That means being open to new experiences, learning new things, and not closing yourself off. Going for it is what helps you see why it is worth it and why you should keep going.”