ITALY’S Giorgio De Sisto is always on the lookout for new challenges. His philosophy in life? An active mind and an active body is important for your health and wellbeing.
What’s your name, and how old are you?
My name is Giorgio De Sisto and I am 29-years-old.
Where are you from? Where and what course or program are you doing?
I am from Italy and I am doing my Certificate III in Children Services at MEGT and Hales Institute.
How long have you been in Melbourne for and why did you choose to come to Melbourne? Did you come alone or with family?
I have been in Melbourne for two years and three months. I decided to come to Melbourne because it was one of the first three more livable cities in the world and also because I have my brother who is living here.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is the art of being in power and control of a situation in a respectful and democratic way.
What or who do you draw inspiration from, and why?
With no doubt my mother, the strongest and most respectful person I have ever met in my entire life.
If you could champion one cause for international students in Melbourne, what would it be?
Equal treatment would be one of the most important goals to achieve especially economically (I have paid $ 20,000 for one year of my Masters course). We usually love talking about Melbourne as a multicultural city, which is very welcoming of international people especially students. The main question that arises is “if we are so welcomed, why are we supposed to pay almost double the amount of money than a local student?”
What, in your opinion, is the most common misunderstanding/stereotype that people have of international students in Melbourne?
The majority of the local people very often seem to think that international students do not have the right skills and the right knowledge to live in Australia according to “their system”.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really love reading and sports in general, like squash, basketball and volleyball or more generally any kind of sport. I strongly believe that keeping an active brain and body is necessary to achieve a healthy life.
What are your other talents/hobbies outside the classroom?
I really love being a busy person, so instead of talking about classic hobbies such as reading or listening to music I daresay I always try to challenge myself to find new jobs in very different areas.
Where is your favourite spot to hang out in Melbourne?
My favourite spot in Melbourne is Royal Park in Parkville. The reason I guess is because I can just lay on the grass and relax by reading or simply listening to the natural environment that I am surrounded by.
What song gets you pumped or excited? Think Eye of the Tiger or Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” or any Bon Jovi track.
I have always been described as “the old man” by my friends due to the fact that I love classic music such as Vivaldi, Mozart or Beethoven. I really need to listen to “Struggle for Pleasure” composed by the Belgian Wim Mertens to pump myself and feel that I can do whatever I want with no stress at all.
If I had a million dollars I would… invest them and with the interests travel around the world until, one day, I will be capable of understanding what all the countries around the world have in common.
If I only had $5 I would… travel anyway maybe on Swanston St or on a street very close to my house…buy an espresso and travel with my imagination and dream with open eyes about distant places that are waiting for me and people that I will meet one day along my way.
Giorgio is among the 20 international student leaders selected to take part in the City of Melbourne’s EDGE 2012 program.