Hi, I’m Isabel, 23 years old. Growing up in the suburbs of Milan, I often felt like a fish out of the sea. I never really fit in, and I always had this sense that I had to conform to be someone I wasn’t. That would’ve killed my true nature, turning me into just another prototype of what society wants—a sheep following the herd.
Luckily, I got the chance to study abroad. I went to the Netherlands. At the beginning I was amazed about how more free people seemed to be, especially in Nijmegen. Self-expression, alternative looks, and different ways of living were so much more present and normalized—something I never experienced in my little Italian suburb. It took me some time, but I eventually realized how important it is to be true to yourself. It’s scary sometimes, but it’s so incredibly important.
Now, I’m in India doing my internship for half a year. I visited a farm founded by Dr. Vandana Shiva here in India—a remarkable leader who champions sustainable agriculture and eco-feminism. Her work has inspired me to develop my own project focused on sustainability and inclusion. I’m currently in the process of finding funds and resources to make it happen. My hope is that my school allows me to extend my stay here for a Minor for another six months so I can continue learning from nature and living closely with the farmers in this beautiful, remote place (not the place from the picture, that’s Turkey 🙂 ).
Freedom seeking…
Freedom seeking has multiple dimensions; personal, social, political and spiritual so in my view it’s an exciting lifetime experience. Inspired by Vandana Shiva’s ideas, I believe that true freedom is about breaking free from the mental prison of separation and exclusion. When dominant powers replace reality with abstract ideas, they can easily manipulate nature and people for profit and power. Real communities and their well-being are sacrificed for corporate interests. The value of nature and society is replaced by the abstract value of money, while life-giving resources are swapped for artificial currencies. This creates a narrow, profit-driven mindset that disconnects us from the true essence of life. Seeking freedom is about recognizing the interconnectedness of everything and breaking free from this reductionist view.
Traveling and experiencing new cultures are also key parts of this journey to freedom. Meeting people from different backgrounds gives me insights into ways of thinking I never considered before. Freedom-seeking is a lifelong process, especially because our minds are so influenced by the societies we grow up in. But through travel and connecting with amazing people, we can continue to nurture that sense of freedom. Nurturing our minds, hearts, bodies and souls.
Ahimsa 
