Innovation, Per Favore: My Double Life

From Airport to Academia: How I Held It Together

Throughout my entire Master’s program, I often felt like I was cheating life—like something had to go wrong eventually.

I was genuinely shocked that things kept working out in my favor. Somehow, I managed to do it all… and yet, I was constantly waiting for the moment it would all fall apart.

Why, you may ask?

Well, imagine this: the Master’s programs at Politecnico are among the toughest in the world. Now add the fact that every 2–3 weeks, I was flying back to Copenhagen for work, where I’d clock in insane 10–12 hour shifts—sometimes even double shifts—while crashing at friends’ places, completely dependent on their kindness. It was far from easy.

And on top of all that? I still tried to have a social life. I went to parties, saw friends, met new people. I have no idea where all that energy came from.

Now picture this: I land back in Milano and head straight to the university—sometimes directly from the airport—to lead project meetings with professors and classmates. I was usually the group leader, which meant I had to be sharp, prepped, and ready to drive the discussion.

In Milano, I was a full-time student, juggling classes, design studios, endless projects, and critique sessions.
My realities were constantly shifting—dramatically so—leaving me dizzy from the transitions. Am I in work mode? Or is it time to turn on the “intellectual innovation” switch and throw out buzzwords and ideas? Innovative, per favore.

At times, my brain seemed just as stunned as I was by its ability to keep up. I’d often pause and think, How the hell did I survive that week? But I did. Again and again.

Because somehow, everything worked. I was thriving in Denmark—not just working like crazy, but also dating, going to festivals, making memories. And at the same time, I was nailing it at university in Milano.

Looking back, I realize now it wasn’t luck—it was resilience, passion, and a slightly chaotic but deeply driven heart that kept it all together. And maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t cheating life at all. I was just fully living it.