I was born and raised in Italy, where from an early age I was encouraged to explore the world and grow into my own person.

That adventurous spirit brought me to the U.S. at 17 years old as a foreign exchange student. I landed in Texas (completely by chance but glad I did) and spent a year learning, adapting, and soaking up every opportunity that came my way.

When I returned to Italy, I wasn’t quite sure what path to take. After a few changes in majors and schools, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Education and Training at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. By the time I graduated, one thing was clear: I knew I wanted to help people with their mental health.

I decided to pursue that goal here in the U.S., where opportunities felt endless. A few admissions exams later, I was back in the land of howdy and yee-haw to earn my Master’s in Professional Counseling at Texas State University.

Being an international student isn’t for the faint of heart. Neither is navigating the immigration system, or discovering in the middle of finals that you have a chronic illness. But through all the challenges, tears, and insurance denials, I made it through.

Today, I am so glad I persevered because I get to serve as both a school counselor and a therapist, working with super cool kiddos and adults every day.

When I’m not counseling, you’ll probably find me with a good cup of coffee, a book in hand, or somewhere outdoors — bonus points when I can enjoy all three together.