T.they say a “no” that seems wrong to you, the fly jumps in your nose and with courtesy but firm determination you work for almost twenty years like an inexorable drop that digs the mountain until you reach the goal. Not just: a project that has an impact on the identity construction of Europe almost more than the Euro. The credit goes to Sofia Corradi, renowned and award-winning pedagogist, nominated by President Sergio Mattarella Commander of the Republic and awarded by King Philip VI of Spain of the prestigious European Charles V Award. Above all, Corradi is known as “Mamma Erasmus”: if millions of young people have been able to travel up and down the Old Continent they owe it to her which gave birth to Erasmus, the international exchange program for students which, to date, has led to an experience abroad of almost five million young people, from Italian, French, Spanish and back European parties.
Sofia Corradi, creator of the Erasmus program
Sofia Corradi’s Erasmus: 18 years for approval
Sofia Corradi conceived it in 1969, the EU launched it in 1987: 18 years in which the pedagogist worked with patience and indomitable enthusiasm, contacting the rectors of all European universities, convincing their wives, “dabbing” ministers and bureaucrats in verifying economic resources. And ringing small openings and steps forward with waste and disinterestup to the point of convincing the French president François Mitterrand to support the project. “More than once, in order to get some important person to call me on the phone, I had to say that I was Professor Corradi’s secretary,” the professor chuckles.
The birth of the Erasmus project
The idea was born precisely from a cheeky “no”: in 1959a little over twenty years old, she just got back from Columbia University after a year of master’s degree in Comparative Law attended thanks to the Fulbright scholarship. She is enthusiastic about the experience, she needs three exams to graduate in Law at La Sapienza in Rome. She has already supported them in New York, so she demands that they be recognized. They literally laugh in her face, Sofia gives her exams back to Rome but inside her takes root that crazy-looking idea that today has become a way of living and thinking about studying, interculturality and Europe: a study project mutually recognized by universities of different countries.
Eighteen years of trying: the word obstinacy is perhaps not enough! What gave strength and endurance to his determination?
I went forward step by step, without knowing how many other obstacles would arise, from time to time I thought I was one step away from the result and instead… So year after year I got to the bottom.
Sometimes the no received help more than the yes to pursue their own path …
The “no” you receive are undoubtedly a huge stimulus to change things and for me they represented the starting point. Of course, a great fighting spirit is needed: giving up is simple, engaging in one or more battles to make sure that the “no” turns into a “yes” is challenging, but brings enormous satisfaction. Honestly I was thinking of a faster path, but the result did not arrive and I did not want to “give up”. But in the end, with a little anger and a lot of diplomacy, I managed to reach the goal.
What tips for a girl today?
I advise today’s girls to persevere, not to give up and have faith in themselves. But often the secret is to be accompanied by a good dose of diplomacy and flexibility.
Erasmus is a tribute to Erasmus of Rotterdam, wandering theologian, author of the Praise of Madness: does it take a little to change the world?
The name of the Program actually comes from an acronym that was partly built on purpose (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students). However, the character of Erasmus of Rotterdam lends itself very well to represent some aspects that animate it. There is the theme of travel first of all, of love for studying, and yes, why not, that pinch of madness that is the basis of all dreams that seem impossible to us. Changing things is one of them and without a little madness you risk surrender.
What was the moment when he realized that what he was doing would have a powerful impact on young people?
The Program began in 1987 with the movement of a relatively modest number of students, then, given the great success and the resources assigned, it reached unexpected numbers. The feeling of the great impact I perceived from the beginning, in the stories of the students returning from the experience. The change, the growth, the maturation were evident and above all the students were happy, satisfied and proud of themselves, full of enthusiasm and new friendships, of new relationships with colleagues from different countries. The horizon had opened! The most common phrase is still “Erasmus has changed my life”.
Are you in contact with the Erasmusians?
Of course, the Erasmusians are looking for me, I feel them and I meet them with immense pleasure. Unfortunately the pandemic has changed a lot the relational life of all of us, I hope it will go better in the future. It is also nice to see the “side effect” of loves born in Erasmus. And more than one couple have done me the great and unexpected honor of calling the little girl Sofia. A great gift!
Do you like being called “Erasmus Mom”?
That’s just how I feel! I had the idea of the program to give young people the opportunity that I had not had, so that studying abroad was not just a privilege for those who could afford it economically. I did it with a motherly spirit, as every mother tries to make the future of her children better.
His granddaughters are about to leave …
They will leave in September, one for France, the other for Spain. My advice for them? Bring your dream suitcase with you and leave all other thoughts at home, including family and relatives! I will cheer from Italy like all the other “Erasmus grandmothers”.
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