On May 6, 2025, the International Students' Union of Hangzhou Dianzi University held a special lecture, inviting Bel Pesce, the founder of FazINOVA College and alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Daniela Sena, CEO of Continental AG in Brazil and alumnus of Hangzhou Dianzi University, as the keynote speakers. The event, themed "The Things I Wish I Had Understood Sooner During College," attracted over 60 students from China and abroad to participate, focusing on in-depth discussions on academic and career development.

The event was hosted by the Academic Affairs Department of the International Students' Union, with the vice president of the Student Union, Wissal, serving as the moderator. Hangzhoufeel was responsible for the photography and newsreel shooting of the event. Counselor Zhou Pinxu attended the event and participated in the exchange throughout.

1. Guest sharing

Bel Pesce: From MIT to Entrepreneurial Practice

Combining her own educational and entrepreneurial experiences, Bel emphasizes that during the university stage, one should focus on goal planning, networking, and the transformation of practical experience, stating that "the ability to solve problems is more important than grades."

Regarding entrepreneurship, she shares how to identify market demand, build an efficient team, and encourages students to "validate ideas with the minimum cost and iterate quickly."

Daniela Sena: Core Competitiveness in the Cross-border Workplace

As a corporate executive, Daniela analyzes the international professional path from a global perspective, pointing out that "cross-cultural communication skills" and "a proactive learning awareness" are the keys to career success.

She advises students: "Start from classroom projects and treat every team collaboration as a rehearsal for the future workplace."

2. Student interaction

During the subsequent open Q&A session, students actively asked questions, covering practical topics such as "how international students can adapt to the Chinese workplace culture" and "strategies for dealing with resource scarcity in the early stages of entrepreneurship." Bel used his own early entrepreneurial experience as an example and encouraged students to "make good use of campus resources and community networks, starting from the minimum viable project"; Daniela shared how to resolve communication barriers through cross-cultural team collaboration and emphasized that "proactively integrating into the local community is the key to adapting to the workplace." The atmosphere of interaction on the scene was lively, and students said that the guests' answers provided practical and feasible ideas for their own development.

3. Lecture Takeaways

Bel Pesce and Daniela Sena share their practical experience, helping students understand how to transform course projects into solutions for real-world problems, and strengthen the awareness of cultivating international students' communication skills. The global perspectives of the two international guests have expanded the students' professional horizons, providing new ideas for adapting to an international workplace environment. This lecture not only provides practical guidance for international students but also serves as a practical example for the school to deepen international education and implement the "student-centered" philosophy.

4. Guest Introduction

Bel Pesce |

Alumna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), former engineer at Google and Microsoft, and later founded FazINOVA College, focusing on youth entrepreneurship and self-development. As a Forbes "30 under 30" honoree and author of four best-selling books, she proposes the "AI Opportunity Window" theory, advocating for validating innovation through the minimum viable product, and emphasizes the combination of academia and practice.

Daniela Sena |

Brazilian entrepreneur, founded the trading company Continental Import & Export Comex in China in 2010, promoting Sino-Brazilian trade. She created the non-profit organization SHEUP, providing entrepreneurial support to over 3,000 women in 65 countries, and participated in the reality show "Kung Fu Apprentice." Currently, she resides in Hangzhou's Overseas Returnees Town with her partner, promoting cross-cultural collaboration and the development of women's leadership.