We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Cardini and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am genuinely inspired by individuals who follow their dreams and never take no for an answer. They are just willing to adapt and find a new solution. I have found that nothing in life comes easy, and things we want are only worth having if we are willing to put time and dedication into them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At a young age, I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD. I grew up in an area and time where my learning disability defined me. I was met with most educators that demeaned me as unfit for academics and assumed that I wouldn’t make it very far past middle school. I, however, have never been a fan of being told what I could and couldn’t do, and I reached my life goal of attending Graduate School in Italy. With patience and determination, I believe I have turned my Dyslexia and ADHD into a gift that genuinely befits my writing and photography skills. I was also very fortunate to have had a female teacher specializing in reading disabilities for her Masters’s, which changed my academic life. My goal now is to inspire others to find their path toward their dreams and to know with every rejection they receive, there is someone just around the corner who believes and will support their dream and finds them inspiring.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Rome is my second home, and every season brings endless possibilities for a good time. But every visit should have sightseeing to the major historical sights such as the Colosseum, Foro Romano, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo, and The Vatican.

Museum visits to Museo Hendrik Christian Andersen, Musei Vaticani, Museo Nazionale Romano, Chiostro del Bramante, Galleria Spada, Museo e Galleria Borghese, Keats-Shelley House, and the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.

A walk through excellent neighborhoods such as Trastevere, Monti, Prati, Ostiense, and Quarter San Lorenzo.

There are countless places to eat and drink. Still, a few of my favorite places are Pimm’s, Mercato Centrale Roma, Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, Gelateria Miami, and GROM with drinks at Rooftop Spritzer Monti.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a big thanks to my family for my success. My parents gave me the best things in life the ability to know without unwavering faith that I can do anything in this world and my first library card. My siblings keep me humble and remind me that I am fiercely and unconditionally loved. My cousins, aunts, and uncles bring joy and madness into my life; they are the only ones who truly understand how crazy your family is. My friends give me strength, make space for weakness, and hold me accountable to treat myself best. I know I am blessed to have these people in my life, and I do not take for granted that not everyone has this experience. The universe has also gifted me with many serendipity moments where I have had the opportunity to meet many amazing women who I admire and remind me to keep moving forward.

Website: www.cardinistudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneycardini/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-cardini/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/cardinistudios/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/myromanhome/?hl=en

Image Credits
All the photos are my own.

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