Meet Veronica Corbellini: Programs Intern Fall 2017
Veronica comes to CMMB all the way from Italy! She completed her masters degree in Psychology with a specialization in Developmental Psychology this year. Veronica is working with both the Programs team and Strategy & Innovation. She comes with incredible international experience and a strong passion for our mission. Read on to learn about her experience in an Indian orphanage and what world problem she wants to solve.
Where is home? I’m from Como, Italy but New York is starting to feel like home, too.
Education: I graduated from Vita e Salute San Raffaele University of Milan with a degree in Pyschology. Now, I’m working towards a specialization in Developmental Psychology at Sacro Cuore University of Milan. After my official graduation in February, I will start my one year practicum. In the future, I would like to get my master’s degree outside of Europe in trauma.
CMMB volunteer post: I’m working on the Programs team and with Strategy and Innovation.
If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Empathetic and patient.
Why CMMB? This summer I had the opportunity to volunteer in Jaipur, India. I volunteered in orphanages with abandoned and HIV+ children. I wanted to do my internship at CMMB because I think it permits me to continue my experience in India, but from another point of view, giving me the opportunity to learn and do something positive for people who are not lucky as us.
What are you most proud of? I’m proud of the project that I’m responsible for in Italy, the Teddy Bear Hospital Project, and of the people with I’m collaborating with to help children to better cope with the hospital environment.
Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? And why? I would like to be stuck with my grandfather Aldo. I want to know everything about his life and ask him many questions about living in the fifties.
You are featured in the NY Times or your national newspaper. What’s the headline? “An Italian in NY: a Different Reality and a Fresh Point of View”
What would be your theme song? “Nuvole Bianche” by Ludovico Einaudi
Imagine if you were an instrument, which would you be and why? If I were an instrument, I would like to be a violin. I have been always attracted to the sound of the violin and its structure. It is so difficult to play, but it is so powerful.
What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? I hope to go beyond my interest and knowledge of psychology, learning more about different realities and situations that children and women with less opportunities have to deal with. I think it will be a great opportunity that I will surely bring with me in my future career.
Favorite quote: “You are not a man until you give your love, truly and freely to a child. And you are not a good man until you earn the love, truly and freely, of a child in return.” I read it while I was in India in a book called Shantaram.
What book should everyone read? Why? The Italian book “Io non ho paura” (the translation is “I don’t have fear”). It is the story of a courageous boy who takes care of a little boy who is the victim of abuse. It is a story of courage and overcoming great obstacles.
Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? I have no idea… but I would want the movie to have James Franco.
What is your hope for the future? My hope is to travel around the world and learn about different cultures by being with people. I hope to make a difference.
Favorite speech: Severn Cullis-Suzuki speech in 1992 to the United States.
If you could solve one world problem, what would it be? If I could, I would like to eliminate the socioeconomic differences between people. I would want everyone in the world to have the same opportunities.
What are the three things you are most grateful for? My two best friends Alice and Federica, the opportunities that my father has given me, and my sensibility.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Why? I don’t really have one, I try to be inspired by the good I see in everyone.