I WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Hi, my name is Martina, I’m 24 years old, and I want to change the world.

Have you ever heard that little voice inside telling you to do something bigger? That unstoppable desire to leave a positive mark on the world? I’ve always had it. Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of creating a better future, one where technology serves humanity. But how do you turn a dream into reality?

I took my first step by studying computer science at a technical institute. For university, though, I wanted to try something different—something that could give me a more comprehensive knowledge base. Plus, I was already a bit bored with computer science. So why not give electronic engineering a try?

I imagined my future among circuits, calculations, and software, creating an innovative and sustainable transportation system capable of revolutionizing how people commute to work or travel the world.

I dove headfirst into this new adventure, far from home, my family, and my friends. I was both thrilled and terrified. Soon, something wonderful happened during my university journey: I found lifelong friends who became a cornerstone in my life. Every time I thought, “This isn’t the right path for me; I can’t do it,” they were there to give me the strength I lacked.

Often, these fears stemmed from the differences I felt compared to my peers, who seemed to know everything about cars and engines simply because they had been encouraged to explore this world from a young age—something that didn’t happen for me as a girl. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. There were other women who shared my insecurities, and together we found the strength to truly become part of an environment that often felt closed off to us.

It’s easy to lose motivation in a challenging program like this, so it’s crucial to keep your goals in mind. Being part of a student team helped me a lot. It gave me a break from the monotony of lectures and brought me one step closer to realizing my dreams. Seeing a project you’ve worked on come to life—a car built with your contributions racing—is an indescribable feeling. You realize how essential your efforts are, and all the anxiety and fear you felt just moments before vanish, replaced by pride.

The message I want to share is to believe in yourself and never compare yourself to others. Each of us is a world of our own, with our unique way of tackling studies and achieving goals. The journey that leads us to build the future should reflect our individuality. Whether you’re the engineer who plays sports in their free time, the one who builds circuits and models and never stops thinking about engineering—not even in their sleep—or the one who loves traveling and only attends class when necessary, what matters is that you stay true to yourself and fight for your ideas without letting anyone influence you.

To succeed in this challenge, which everyone sees as a monumental task, you need dedication. But nothing is impossible. We have intelligence, creativity, and strength to accomplish anything, and we should always aim high. Maybe I won’t change the whole world, but I can certainly contribute to creating a better future. So, why set limits?