#HeartAndMindInMotion: Caught between two worlds: Sheng’s journey from China to Italy
04 February 2026‘Don’t be afraid, rise to the challenge and stay optimistic.’ This was my guiding mantra when I faced an insurmountable linguistic barrier in Italy. My name is Shengnan Wang, but everyone calls me Sheng. I currently work in Motovario’s Finance department as a Sales Controller.
I left China at the age of 15 to live in Italy, which was quite an adventure. At first, I was put off by the language barrier, but I decided to persevere because I was both curious and determined. I did encounter a few obstacles along the way, but I managed to master Italian and successfully complete a degree in Economics at the University of Ferrara in 2019. This goes to show that if you’re resilient, you can overcome anything: never give up!
I see my life as a bridge between the East and the West, as I go back to China every year. During the summer holidays, I travelled across the Yunnan region, which is around 4,000 km from my hometown. I fell in love with that place: although I was miles away, the scenery resembled that of the Dolomites, and the locals were as warm and welcoming as Sicilians, making me feel right at home. It was at this point that I came to appreciate the value of embracing new and unfamiliar experiences.
