Why did you decide to become an Italian major?
After studying French for two years in high school without much success, I was really intimidated by Wellesley's language requirement. On the other hand, I had always admired the beauty of Italian language and culture, so I thought I'd give it a try. I had no idea how satisfying it would be to learn a new language. It allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on the world. I knew after my first semester that I wanted to study Italian throughout my time at Wellesley.
How did it shape your time at Wellesley?
As a Cinema and Media Studies Major, I found many benefits to combining Italian and film studies. Taking several film studies classes within the Italian Department, my knowledge of the language allowed me to explore Italian cinema in more depth. I was also able to take a Cinematic Analysis course at the University of Bologna during my semester in the ECCO Program, further expanding my understanding of global film studies. Having the opportunity to integrate multiple academic interests is one of the things I love most about Wellesley, and Italian studies made that possible.
How has it influenced your life after Wellesley?
Since I left Wellesley, my career journey has been focused on education – primarily in language teaching. While working as a higher-education administrator at NYU Stern, I pursued my Masters in TESOL at NYU Steinhardt and graduated in 2010. I taught ESL to adults in New York for a few years before moving to India to further my experience in the field. I joined ILSC Education Group and worked as an ESL teacher, TESOL trainer and academic director. ILSC admits students from around the world who chose to study English in Delhi while becoming immersed in Indian culture – much like the ECCO program. I've taught several Italian students in Delhi over the years and am always amazed by the natural connection we have when I tell them I studied Italian in Bologna.
Looking back on my work so far, I can see clearly how studying Italian has shaped much of my career. The exhilaration I felt from learning a new language and culture was something I wanted to share with others. I also really admire the way our Italian professors supported the learning process while still pushing us to excel. Their example has helped a great deal especially in the most recent part of my work in India when I served as the coordinator and teacher for ILSC's scholarship program for young, underprivileged Indian women. Remembering the passion and love for language learning that my Italian professors embedded in all our classes has helped me to take on the challenges I've faced along the way as an educator.