Italian Language Courses:

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I completed a total of eight Italian language courses as part of the Global Learning Medallion Capstone requirement. The best part about this particular assignment within the program is that it did not feel like a requirement whatsoever. I knew I wanted to complement my studies in International Relations and focus my attention in a single area, but I was not sure if wanted to continue studying Italian during my higher education. After looking at different scenarios and contemplating various options such as internships and study abroad programs, I decided that the Minor in Italian Language and Culture was the best fit for me.

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Not only did  I gain advanced proficiency in the Italian language, but as a result of my engagement in the classes and outside activities hosted by the Modern Languages Department and the Italian Club, I landed my first leadership position within an organization on campus, the Italian Club, and an Internship with the General Consulate of Italy in Miami that has opened many doors ever since through my networking, hard work and dedication. I have to thank my outstanding professor Dr. Magda Novelli Pearson for being a driving force throughout the years and giving me the extra push I needed to go after the things I wanted.

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The courses combined both written and oral components of the Italian language, but perhaps the best element within the classes was the cultural component that gave me a chance to live the Italian culture right from the classroom in Miami. We engaged in many projects and activities that required a deep understanding of both Italian and American cultures, and a mixture of the two as well. Being able to identify the differences and similarities within each identity gave me a whole new appreciation for culture and its effects on human interactions.

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Studying Italian has become such a passion of mine that I look forward to continuing to learn outside of the classroom as I put my experience to practice. After mastering my second foreign language, the first one being English, I feel motivated to learn more about the cultures behind the words and taking on the next language to learn as soon as possible. Being part of a learning community that celebrates cultural differences and allows students to understand a completely different perspective was my most rewarding experience at Florida International University.