The Goldrain Experience

NB: All the following stems from real events!

It all began on a warm August evening.

At around 8:43 p.m., I arrived in Goldrain, a small and beautiful place tucked away in the South Tyrol region of Italy. A shuttle was waiting to take me up to Goldrain Castle, the place that would soon become much more than simply the setting of a course.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by the direction staff and the Directrice of the castle. I registered, received my room key, and, after a long journey, went looking for something to eat.

That was when I met Maria, a colleague from the Philippines.

We ate quickly so that we could catch the introductory presentation prepared by Professor Mariano, the heart of the course.

And so, our Goldrain adventure began.

The following morning, the course officially started. But so did my social experiment: I met Leila, Wafa, then Jumanah, Hassa, Linda.

The days that followed were intense, inspiring, and filled with lectures, presentations, workshops, and exchanges. Mariano managed to keep the programme remarkably well organised and on schedule, while the presentations constantly gave us new ideas to reflect upon.
Goldrain was never only about sitting in a classroom. It felt like an enchanting place where magic happens.

During meals, we would engage in interesting discussions with colleagues and lecturers, a remarkable experience for me; all the history talks were incredible!

One afternoon, we left the lectures behind and went hiking through Laces and the surroundings of Goldrain. Along the way, we discovered the landscape and listened to stories from the region's history. The walk gave us the opportunity to experience the culture and heritage surrounding the castle, rather than simply studying inside it.

Another evening brought an unexpected musical gift. After a full day of lectures, workshops, and the first part of the student presentations, we gathered for a lovely dinner and were treated to a classical performance by two cellists. Their music transformed the evening into something truly special.

Saturday gave us a little more freedom. After lectures until 12:40 p.m., we had lunch and then each group went its own way. My group chose to discover Merano and its surroundings, exploring the countryside, strawberry fields, and waterfalls. After several intensive days of learning, it felt wonderful simply to walk, discover, laugh, and enjoy the beauty around us.

PS: our tour also included a special meeting with a cute Golden Retriever!

The following days brought us back into the rhythm of the course, with more lectures and the second part of the student presentations. Listening to the participants share their cases was one of the most enriching parts of the journey.

We were learning not only from the professors, but from one another: from different countries, cultures, and professional perspectives.

Then came Monday.

After a final half-day of lectures, we returned in the afternoon for the examination. Once it was over, we had a correction session, followed by a few closing words. There was a sense that something important was coming to an end.

At 6:00 p.m., we gathered for a tour of Goldrain Castle.

After living there for days, I thought I knew the castle. But suddenly, through its history and stories, I discovered it all over again. We learned about its past, its transformation, and how it became a place connected to housing, culture, and community.

And then came our final evening.

We shared a farewell dinner in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by people who, only a few days earlier, had been strangers. We received our certificates, celebrated what we had accomplished, and perhaps, for a moment, realised just how much we had experienced in such a short time.
The Goldrain Experience was not simply a course. It is a wonderful example of cultural immersion.

It was a journey of learning, discovery, culture, friendship, music, nature, and human connection. It was lectures and workshops, but also hikes and waterfalls.

It was presentations and examinations, but also dinners, laughter, conversations, and music. It was discovering South Tyrol, but also discovering something new in ourselves and in the people around us.

The farewell evening was particularly moving, as I realised that the most valuable part of the experience could not be written on a certificate.

But rather, in the memories, in the smiles, in the places.

And in the feeling of having been part of something truly special.

This was my Goldrain Experience.