In BEST, it happened a few times. Whenever I met someone at an event, even just once, and kept in touch for a few months or years afterwards, I was considering them as friends, for some reason. Not close friends, but still the kind of friends whom you can’t wait to meet again: it was just a matter of saving enough money during my student life, and we would reunite for sure.

Unfortunately one of them, as he realised his BEST years were coming to an end, fell into depression. Becoming an Alumnus and getting a job would mean having no more fun. It would mean getting into a rat race, a competition to climb the corporate ladder and to tick all the checkboxes of what’s commonly considered a successful life: find a job, get married, buy a house, buy a car, have kids, make your salary increase steadily. No more “work hard, party harder”. No more cool projects coming to life thanks to smart students and international teamwork.

Sometimes I think that if bestalumni.net existed at that time, he would have been able to see something beyond BEST, and this could have been a life saver. Or maybe not, but still I can’t help it, this thought pops up every now and then. So I wanted to write something about it. Just in case there’s someone out there, who believes there’s nothing to long for, beyond BEST: take a moment to read my point of view below.

I wanted to say that BEST is just the beginning, as it gives you nothing more than an example of how things can be. Your job is to define the meaning of your own life, and BEST is far from being meaningful, compared to what’s beyond. You may underestimate yourself, however your potential is explosive, and you slowly gain the power to make it concrete for a greater good that you determine.

If you only hear boring stories from Alumni, it means you have only met those who don’t feel fulfilled yet. Many of us are still adventurers in a long journey, as it takes years to achieve something that gives us enough satisfaction. Because we are ambitious and stubborn. And because things that really matter (love, joy, self-confidence, skills, job fulfilment...) take time. Meanwhile, developing our own self is itself a very long and fascinating journey.

Alumni also seek the opportunity to give back. Some of us find themselves while helping or connecting with others. Some reach their success while they work in an industry that they find meaningful, as they think it will make this world a better place. Some are happy when they feel in control, or when they innovate. We are all different, have different desires and needs, and are equally precious.

Fall many times, fail and let people laugh at your passion. And each time, stand up stronger inside, and aim beyond.

by Cle Cesar

I grew up by the mountains, and loved to hike even the steepest peaks. The fresh air, the bright colours and the view from the top have been my joy for many springs, summers and autumns.

Then, something happened.

Aging. In my thirties I started to feel the decline of my body: in my joints, in my muscles, in my tendons.

In my twenties, I kinda had a superpower: sitting down for 6 hours in a row, without eating, drinking, or going to the toilet, was a bit tiring but it wasn’t a big problem either. With age, I couldn’t even sit for an hour without feeling my legs screaming for some stretching or a little walk.

At some point, even carrying a single-shoulder bag gave me back ache.

But wait a second. Not the knees.

Not. The. Knees.

When, after a couple of years of inactivity, I found out my knees lost the ability to hike downhill because of a burning pain in my meniscus, whenever I put it under stress, I panicked. No more mountains, no more peaks? No way!

So, I started some physical activity, alternating different sports according to my mood, my friends’ habits in order to motivate each other, and the seasons.

But then, the pandemic time came. Not only did my knees stop working properly, and my blood circulation became less effective, but I even gained weight.

Now I have way too many drivers, nothing can stop me anymore, I’ll keep up the good work and get back into my (now too tight) trousers. And above all, back to the highest peaks!

And... What motivates you?