Haiyan ZHANG as a member of MADmax campaign

Member of the Administration Board of the MADmax campaign

Motivation Letter

I grew up in a rural village in China, where opportunities like this were very rare. Access to international cultural exchange, creative projects, or community-driven initiatives was simply not part of everyday life. Coming to Europe to pursue my Master's degree in Business Administration and Sustainability changed that completely. It opened my eyes to how many meaningful opportunities exist here, and I made a promise to myself to make the most of every one of them.

The theme of MAD MAXS speaks to me on a personal level. Waste and overconsumption are among the most pressing issues of our time, and yet they often feel abstract or distant. This summer in Europe has been incredibly hot, a reminder that climate change is no longer something we can ignore. It touches our daily lives in very real ways. When I came across this project, I felt that here was a chance to do something concrete, even if small: to use creativity and art to make people stop, look, and think differently.

Through my studies in Behavioral Economics for Sustainable Systems, I have learned how human behavior shapes environmental outcomes, and why awareness alone is rarely enough to drive real change. That is exactly why projects like MAD MAXS matter to me: they go beyond raising awareness and actually engage people through creativity and direct experience.

I also believe I bring a valuable perspective to this project. As someone from China, a country with a very different relationship to consumption, recycling, and waste compared to Europe, I can offer a cross-cultural viewpoint that may enrich the group's discussions and creative work. I am not just bringing hands to help; I am bringing a different way of seeing.

I have some volunteering experience working with hearing-impaired children in China, which taught me the value of patience and genuine human connection. Beyond that, I bring several years of professional experience in finance and accounting, which has made me organised, detail-oriented, and good at working through challenges as part of a team. I am hardworking, adaptable, and truly excited to work alongside people from different backgrounds.

This is exactly the kind of experience I have been looking for, one that combines purpose, creativity, and community. I am ready to contribute with everything I have.

Self Presentation / Expectations/ First Experiences

Voice Message

 Haiyan Zhang

Master's Student, University of Bologna

ESAI EN ROI Volunteering in Teams