Alessandra Gugliandolo

About Alessandra

Ciao a tutti! My name is Alessandra Gugliandolo, I am 20 years old, and I come from the warm and beautiful Sicily. I am a third-year BA Art History student and I decided to dedicate the first semester of this last bachelor year to the Anthropology minor. In addition to my love for art, I am obsessed with languages, and I use every available occasion to learn something new about a new culture. I love anything related to theatre and musicals and I myself for many years was part of a choir and a musical theatre group! I consider my time on stage among the best moments of my life. As for my hobbies, I like reading, drawing, and playing the ukulele. This last activity specifically reminds me of my sister, whom I wholeheartedly love. I care for animals and nature, that is also why I enjoy going on walks in the forest nearby my house here in Groningen as it allows me to be in contact with them. Of course no, I won’t kill that spider for you!

Why Art History?

I realized I wanted to study art history at university when, in high school, I was the only one actively taking notes and engaging in conversations with the teacher during the art history lessons. I was always eager to talk about art in my assignments and in front of my classmates. I tried to listen to my heart and desires and observed how I spontaneously behaved in class. Sometimes the right answers are simpler and closer to us than we expect them to be. From that moment on, I felt like nothing interested me more than art, in all its expressions, and it was then clear in my head: I wanted to study art history at the university. The beauty of this academic field lies in its ability to deepen our understanding of human history since all art is a reflection of its time and its respective values, beliefs, and customs. Moreover, it enhances our critical thinking skills as we are constantly required to analyze works with careful observation and compare each one of them with examples from all kinds of cultural backgrounds. Apart from the appreciation of artistic skill and technique, every artwork becomes the mirror of a story yet to be discovered: the story of thousands of lives, of an array of cultures, which inevitably encourages a profound appreciation for diversity and a broader understanding of the world and those who lived, live, and will live in it.

Why Groningen?

After my epiphany in high school, I only had to choose where to pursue my studies. The first time I visited the Netherlands was during my exchange in the fourth year of high school. I was hosted by two lovely hostparents, and thanks to them I fell in love with this country. Ever since I walked the streets of Groningen in 2020, I was sure I would consider it as one of my options for my future studies. Luckily, I also happen to have two amazing parents who always supported me and still push me every day to do what I probably wouldn’t have the courage to do alone. They advised me to look at the courses offered by our university and there it was: Art History. Deep down I knew I wanted to go back to the Netherlands and Groningen seemed the best option for my bachelor. Once I finally started my studies, what struck me the most was the openness to dialogue and debate: no opinion is wrong, every thought is welcome, and no interpretation is less valuable than the other. This is something in my opinion nurtured in Dutch society, and that’s a fascinating aspect of it. Here, I feel encouraged to share my thoughts and to open my heart to new, stimulating encounters with the varied international community of this lively and cozy city.

Future

After I graduate, I am planning to specialize in East Asian Art and Cultural Heritage Studies. Throughout the second year of my bachelor I, in fact, had the opportunity to follow some courses on Asian art and, considering my pre-existing interest in Asia, I realized that I would love to deepen my knowledge in this branch of Art History. Concerning my potential career… well, this is a tricky one. I will probably try to find a job that can give me the chance to travel, use languages and learn about new cultures, visit many museums, and be surrounded by people. There is nothing more I wish for in my future!

Golden Tip

Life is full of opportunities. If you keep on being curious, positive, and active, and if you keep on putting some effort every day into realizing your dreams, they will surely come your way. However, don’t be too focused on what’s to come, after all, “di doman non v’è certezza” (there is no certainty about tomorrow). Instead, focus on what you are sure exists, that is to say, yourself in this very present moment. May your heart be your guiding key and always be open to new experiences and possibilities.