For Matteo Rubbiani, 2022 recipient of the Dompé Foundation scholarship, learning is more than just absorbing information: it’s about intuition, adaptation, and the thrill of discovery. As a student at MEDTEC School – an innovative six-year degree course in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering run by Humanitas University and Politecnico di Milano – Matteo has found a unique way to connect seemingly distant fields: driven by logic and curiosity, he seeks to unravel the complexities of the human body. Through his experience as a kitesurf instructor, he has learned that success depends not only on skills, but also on the ability to understand others. Join us as we discover how Matteo reflects on his evolving aspirations, the role of resilience in his academic journey, and the quiet yet powerful encouragement he found in the Dompé Foundation scholarship – a reminder that, sometimes, believing in yourself starts with knowing that others believe in you too. 

What does the Dompé Foundation scholarship mean to you? 

MEDTEC School is a demanding degree program that requires enormous effort and dedication. Receiving the Dompé Foundation scholarship at the start of my academic journey wasn’t just financial support—it was a real encouragement to believe in myself and in the path I had chosen. I told myself: “If they believe in me, then I have no reason not to.” I’m still in the middle of my academic path, but so far I’ve achieved great results. Financial security is certainly a huge help, and it allows me to now feel fully focused and projected toward the wonderful profession of medicine. 

What do you love the most about your degree so far? 

What excites me most about MEDTEC School is the holistic approach to learning about the human body. This comes from its unique educational offering, which combines the teaching of Medicine and Surgery with Biomedical Engineering. Let me give you a couple of practical examples. Studying electrical circuits has helped me appreciate and better understand the electrical systems within our body. Similarly, the more hands-on approach to chemistry has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of biochemistry. 

What is your favorite subject so far and why? 

So far, the subject that interests me the most is physiology. That’s because it combines my passion for logic with my deep curiosity about how the human body works. I find the crucial role of hormones in transmitting information within the body particularly fascinating. Hormonal axes are a perfect example of the complexity of our bodies and how the various functional units work together in synergy to keep us alive. 

What was your biggest dream as a child? How about today? 

As a child, I didn’t have a clear dream in terms of a future career. All I wanted was to be rich and famous, without really knowing how to get there. As I grew older, I realized that what matters most isn’t achieving fame or fortune, but rather choosing a path you’re passionate about and committing to it fully. Today, I don’t know if I’ll become rich and famous, but I do know for sure that I’ll be doing the job of my dreams. 

What’s your greatest soft skill? 

Intuition. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve developed the ability to approach problems and subjects in a personal and independent way. This helped me build an intuitive skill that not only allows me to retain information but truly internalize the concepts and topics I study. 

Which hobby would you never give up? 

My favorite hobby is kitesurfing, which I’ve been doing since I was 11. I still remember the first time—gliding over the water pulled by the kite. Even now, every time I hold that kite in my hands, I feel free and in full control, completely immersed in the moment. It’s a sport that’s been with me throughout my teenage years, helping to shape my character, and it’s become an essential part of my life—one I could never give up. 

What is your greatest failure and what did you learn from it? 

 At the beginning of my experience as a kitesurf instructor, I had a beginner student who just wasn’t making any progress. I remember thinking: “he’s just not cut out for this.” Frustrated, I turned to a more experienced colleague, who managed to help the student achieve great results in just one lesson. That experience was a major opportunity for personal growth. I learned to question myself and reflect on my own judgments. I also realized that a student’s success largely depends on the teacher’s ability to adapt to their individual needs. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? 

A dear friend once told me, during a time of uncertainty: “Whatever choice you make will be the right one.” That advice still helps me whenever I’m facing a decision with multiple options, and it gives me the encouragement I need to move forward with determination.