After auditions held in March, two students were granted a scholarship to fund a two-month stay in Agrigento, rehearsing and performing with the Savatteri Produzioni company: Mia Grizzuti is a major in Musical Theatre (CART) and Brianna Coppolino is a Master’s student in Voice, Cali School of Music — they are both taking classes in the Italian Program. In love with the idea of performing in the magical Valley of the Greek Temples (), Emma Mason decided to participate through direct funding from Savatteri Produzioni, after her graduation (BA in Voice, Cali School).

Mia Grizzuti, Emma Mason, and Brianna Coppolino

Read about: BRIANNA’S EXPERIENCE�� �� MIA’S EXPERIENCE �� EMMA’S EXPERIENCE

The students have also been invited to take part in other shows regularly presented by the Savatteri company (Bianca Lancia, a musical about Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II’s legendary lover; and Scopri il teatro, an interactive show about the history of Agrigento’s Teatro Pirandello), but also new productions including in the opera genre, in which Marco Savatteri moved his first yet very convincing steps (Mascagni’s��Cavalleria Rusticana presented in Enna and at the breathtaking Teatro Classico of Taormina in mid-August).

Video: Footage and editing by Colin Keyes

️“This program has changed us as artists, students, and people: adaptability, cultural and linguistic enrichment, challenges and creative answers, as well as the pleasure of a slow pace of life in Agrigento, are part of this extraordinary experience – stated the three students, visibly moved. “Performing in front of the Temple of Concordia with our voices echoing through the columns dating back to the 5th century BCE was an exhilarating feeling.” This emotional and professional journey reached its most intense expression when Mia and Brianna were assigned the solo part at the end of two separate show, and beautifully interpreted the role of Fate.

Lori McCann, Brianna Coppolino, Emma Mason, Mia Grizzuti, Teresa Fiore, and Marco Savatteri

“This program serves as an ideal model of collaboration between academia and the world of musical theater, between faraway places working closely together such as Agrigento and �鶹��ý����, between artists who speak different languages and share knowledge, giving voice to a show imbued with ancient yet still very topical stories that explore the relationship between humans and gods. We make joint decisions to lead this program, attending to the affective dimension, and seeing in it a sacred experience: an example of peaceful sharing in a world increasingly permeated by conflicts” – said Prof. Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair, WLC Dept., CHSS), Professor Lori McCann (Voice, Cali School, CART), and , who have woven together this international summer program along with Ryan Kasprzak (Head of the Musical Theatre Program),��in collaboration with the Office of International Academic Initiatives at �鶹��ý����.

An infinite thank you to Mr. Inserra for his great generosity, to Maestro Savatteri with his tireless genius and sensitivity, to Savatteri Produzioni for the precious logistical support, to the company for the warm welcome, to Ente Parco della Valle dei Templi, and to Agrigento Italian Capital of Culture 2025.

Photo credits: Elena Dibattista and Irene Zunardi.
Program description: click here
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Redesigned to suit the travel limitations imposed by the pandemic, the internship was based in New Jersey throughout the duration of the internship (February through May) with a mixed schedule of in-person and remote work to reflect the formats of office working in the current job environment. Adriana had the opportunity to be immersed in the dynamic ecosystem of NJ business ….with an Italian accent. Among other products, she concentrated on the expansion of a small balsamic vinegar company, De Nigris. Working with the Business Development and Marketing teams, she also focused on trade missions of specific countries: relying on software tools such as JobsEQ or Dun & Bradstreet, she gathered relevant commercial data and analytics for formal presentations.

“I am truly grateful to the Inserra Chair and the Italian Program to have been selected as the 2022 Intern at Choose New Jersey” Adriana stated. “I heard about Choose New Jersey in my Capstone Language, Business and Culture course last semester with Dr. Antenos (Director of the LBC program), and was captivated by their involvement with international companies and the Tristate area. The internship allowed me to further hone the knowledge I had gained from previous business and culture courses, including Dr. Trubiano’s Living in Translation course. I am thankful to CNJ for offering great learning opportunities that actively connect marketing and language. And I am now ready�� to take up a full-time job at Ferrero USA! Grazie to all those who have supported me along the way.”

” Adriana was a joy to have on our team. She came in everyday eager to tackle new projects,” Rena Sherman (Research Manager at Choose New Jersey) stated. “As part of her responsibilities, Adriana worked with our international offices as well, to help them provide support to international companies looking to move to New Jersey. A significant project that she worked on was researching and writing a briefing book for a business development trip to Europe.”

As Jen Lenhardt (Chief Administrative Officer, Choose New Jersey) added: “Choose New Jersey is happy to continue the intern partnership with �鶹��ý���� and the Inserra program. Global opportunities are a large part of Choose New Jersey’s marketing outreach and business development pipeline. We look forward to working with other students in the future so that they can put their work experience, language skills, business knowledge and cultural awareness into practice with our company.”

The Inserra Paid Internship Program��was instituted as a concrete action towards the creation of a new academic field linking Business and Italian, which eventually grew into a program embracing several languages (Language, Business and Culture) and representing one of the most innovative approaches to studying languages for the industry as a part of a combined BA degree. See the history and developments of the broader initiative on Italian and Business.

“The internship program continues to activate a productive synergy between the university and the job market in our region that benefits our academic programs as well as the local companies, such as Choose New Jersey, which is an ideal partner in this mission,” (Inserra Endowed Chair) remarked. “Year after year, for both interns and companies, the role of languages and culture in international business shows its centrality, and this can only impact the regional economy in positive ways, while creating incentives for the study of languages on our campus and beyond. Additionally, students gain precious experience towards their next career steps, and often land a job right after the internship, as is the case for Adriana.”

Unfolding during the summer and winter breaks of the 2019-20 academic year, Alexis’ internship focused on the fashion industry. She worked under the supervision of the outgoing head of the fashion department, Alessandro Greco, and the newly appointed head, Paola Guida. Ventre’s main task for the first phase was a market research report on the denim industry in the US, touching upon its international influence. For the second phase, she worked on Italian footwear, its global impact, its distribution in the New York/New Jersey area, and the most influential brands among three consumer demographics (men, women and children). For both research projects she relied on the data and statistics available via��Statista and Euromonitor, two databases that were accessible to her through ITA.

“This internship at ITA provided me with the experience of understanding the relationship and impact that Italian companies have in the U.S., specifically the NY/NJ area. I am grateful to have learned about the different industries that make up the Italian-American marketing and fashion sector and how they work, coexist and influence one another,” Alexis stated.

“The partnership with ITA, made possible by the Inserra internship program, is further strengthened every year. We find that��by spending time in a Consular context, students are able to be exposed to tools, practices, and paces that are common in Italy, and that may differ from US environments, while being influenced by them. Part of the experience in bridging countries in business is that of bridging cultural habits, and ITA remains an ideal location for our students in this respect. We are grateful to the entire ITA team, and in particular Dott. Ferdinando Gueli, our liaison, for his commitment to this project,” Teresa Fiore (, �鶹��ý����, and coordinator of the internship program).

“The��has so far hosted three internships as part of our cooperation with MSU launched in 2017. MSU interns proved to be highly qualified both in language skills and marketing data management skills, so their contribution towards��creating more business connections between Italy and US as well as to developing the knowledge of authentic Made in Italy products among US consumers has been remarkable,��though limited in time. We really believe that this cooperation is based on a mutual advantage and we are glad to share similar views on what the Inserra Chair internship program is offering”, Ferdinando Gueli,��Head of Administration and General Services Division (ITA).

See more information about the��
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For this reason, a new was introduced this year through the , which for the past three years has supported a vast array of opportunities for student interns in business and translation companies, as part of dynamic international projects. In the Summer of 2019, partnered with in New York to involve one of the Italian majors, Francesca Oliveri, in their ��A unique combination of Italian language and culture classes with performing arts shows and visits of historical, artistic and natural spots, this program is known for an integrated approach that fully leverages the rich history and beautiful location of the ancient town of Narni, and its lively cultural scene. Oliveri assisted the teachers and organizers of the program in numerous forms starting from the opening ceremony in New York through the entire two-week period in Italy with the students in and outside the classroom to the flight back to the U.S.

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“The opportunity to intern with IACE has gifted me with the knowledge of what being a teacher really means. Not only was I was able to learn about the intricate inner workings of running a summer program such as this, but to also gain the valuable experience of teaching students and familiarizing myself with specific cultural aspects of the region. I gained insights into creating a more reflective and interactive classroom, and best of all, I became more confident as a speaker of Italian, which will only encourage me to further study the language,” Francesca states.

The program included visits to local museums, castles, and waterfalls (Le Cascate della Marmora), as well as a trip to Rome and Ostia Antica. It also featured a mosaic workshop, cooking classes, and a climbing and speleology intro course. In the background, a regular program of concerts and dance shows punctuated the evenings whether in old palaces or churches.

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“At a time in which degrees in languages are finally being re-designed to offer new opportunities to students from the business to the translation fields, it is uplifting to also see students who are still committed to a teaching career in the school system,” Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair) remarks. “As faculty, it is our responsibility to make students aware of the different facets of the teaching profession, which increasingly makes teachers into ambassadors of inter-cultural, inter-national, and inter-disciplinary experiences. In the Italian Program (MLL Dept.) at �鶹��ý����, which also offers the Teacher Certification in Italian��for the State of NJ, we are lucky to have a paid internship program like the Inserra’s that produces real experiences abroad, thanks to welcoming and supportive partners such as IACE.” Francesca Oliveri, a transfer student from Bergen Community College under the NJSTARS Program, plans on spending the Spring semester abroad at the University of Verona and then pursuing her credential degree once she is back at MSU to complete her BA in Italian with a�� minor in International Studies.

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Talia was the second recipient of a two-part paid internship in Italian Business, supported by a $5,000 Lawrence R. Inserra Jr. Scholarship. The internship included working with teams at the Italian Trade Agency, as well as Choose New Jersey, an organization that actively attracts Italian companies to New Jersey, in what is already an ideal ecosystem for Made in Italy.��This successful collaboration with Choose New Jersey, which also included a one-week trip to Italy as part of the prestigious , eventually resulted in a position that involves digital marketing initiatives, planning and execution of events, and support to the business development team, including assistance with translation in business with Italian companies.

”At first, I knew the internship would be a stepping stone into something bigger, but I didn’t expect it to become bigger within the same place. During my internship phase at CNJ, my boss Carly kindly and patiently mentored me as��I built my proficiency in WordPress, Elementor, Adobe Photoshop, Hubspot, and many other tools intended for social media and digital marketing. During the Select USA summit trip in Italy, I facilitated exchanges in Italian with representatives of local businesses,” Talia states. (Read ).

“After the internship ended, Choose New Jersey kept me on as a regular intern and entrusted me with more significant responsibilities. When I saw that they were hiring a Marketing Coordinator, I decided to take the step and apply. If it weren’t for my initial internship from MSU and the skills it provided, I would have never applied for the job. I am proud to be an example of the outstanding possibilities that the Inserra Chair/Italian Program and Choose New Jersey collaboration offers. This type of university-company synergy helped me reach my full potential and begin my career immediately after graduating. It will only get better from here,” Talia concludes.

The Inserra paid internship program in Italian Business,��whose philosophy and have set the tone for a new BA on campus , rests on the generosity of the Italian Program’s main donor, solid partnerships with Italian and NJ agencies, and an interdisciplinary vision that combines Italian and Business as part of the internationalization of the student experience. It was created to provide Italian majors with pre-professional opportunities in the global market while also securing financial support for them to defray tuition costs.

Relevant links

Internship description (Italian Business)
Post about Tali Antonacci’s internship experience��
Language, Business and Culture combined major

In place since Summer 2017, the program has for the first time moved from a two- to a four-internship formula, embracing two brand new partnerships (IACE in New York for education and Safilo in Secaucus for Made in Italy), adding to the established ones with ITA in NYC and Choose New Jersey in NJ. This round’s recipients include two new LBC (Language, Business and Culture) majors, one of which attended the before matriculating; a return adult student rethinking her career; and a student interested in pursuing teaching. “Every year we have been able to assign the internships to talented and motivated students: for 2019-20 the program was expanded to include a larger number of recipients and as such more diversity. For me, it continues to be a pleasure to serve as supervisor of the internship program in many different areas from selecting partners to developing contracts, identifying students, overseeing their actual experience off campus, and engaging in storytelling about the program,” Dr. Teresa Fiore (Professor of Italian and Inserra Chair in Italian American Studies) remarked.

Alexis Ventre, an Italian Language, Business and Culture major, was selected for the Italian business internship at the , the commercial branch of the Italian Consulate in New York City. Alexis will be involved in project management in international trade, marketing and consulting. She will be providing information and services to Italian companies approaching the U. S. market, and assisting in event organization, media relations, the creation of studies and the planning of business trips for a delegation traveling to Italy while gaining knowledge of the Made in Italy presence in the Tri-State area.

“I am thrilled to have been chosen for this incredible internship at ITA. I am beyond excited to learn more about an Italian business environment and incorporate all the essentials skills that I have learned throughout my college career. I am especially looking forward to gaining the experiences of interning for an office that oversees Italian business regionally and nationally, and learning how to benefit from these experiences. I am certain that this internship will allow me to further pursue my passion and guide me in the direction of working for an Italian business in the NYC metropolitan area,” Alexis states. Read

Cristina Latino, a double major in Italian Language, Business and Culture and Fashion was selected as the recipient of a $2,500 paid internship at based in Newark. There she will be able to apply her skills to Italian business in the specific context of New Jersey which hosts one of the largest concentrations of Italian business headquarters in the U.S. The internship also includes a trip to Italy in Spring as part of the NJ delegation’s participation in Select USA.

“I am so grateful to have been selected as the candidate for the prestigious internship with Choose New Jersey that will take place in the Winter of 2020. As an undergraduate student pursuing a degree within the international business field, I know that this opportunity will strengthen my writing and oral skills in the Italian language as I undertake hands-on responsibilities. I intend to benefit professionally and personally as this culturally enriching program will teach me to how to interact and perform efficiently and effectively within the business world,” Cristina remarks.

Teresa LeDonne, an Italian major with a background in the corporate world, is the recipient of a brand new internship supported by a $2,500 scholarship provided via the Inserra Paid Internship Program. Teresa has spent four weeks working as a full-time intern in project management at . The New Jersey Corporation, a subsidiary of SAFILO – Società Azionaria Fabbrica ltaliana Lavorazione Occhiali, is a company specializing in eyewear, and has its main headquarters in Padova, Italy. Read .

“The Inserra Internship Program is a wonderful opportunity for �鶹��ý���� students. I come to this experience with a professional background in it, and my objective is to hone my language and cultural skills in this prestigious business environment. The internship’s tasks in the areas of HR and Product Creation will be an ideal occasion to use Italian in written and oral forms, and to understand the cultural implications of bringing Made in Italy products to the U.S. market” Teresa remarks.

Francesca Oliveri, an Italian major and International Studies minor, is the first recipient of this brand new paid internship with a focus on teaching Italian and cultural programming abroad, which was launched in Summer 2019. The internship is linked to the (Umbria, Italy), a program for Middle and High School students that combines Italian language and culture classes with on-site visits as well as participation in the . Read .

“For my future career, I plan on becoming an Italian professor. After graduating from �鶹��ý����, I would study to obtain my Master’s degree and eventually my Doctorate. Thanks to the Inserra Chair, I have been granted the opportunity to intern for IACE’s summer program in Narni, Italy. This immersive internship will allow me to experience the classroom from the teacher’s perspective and give me the chance to enhance my Italian. I am infinitely grateful to the Inserra Chair and IACE for granting me participation in this rare opportunity, and for helping me advance my Italian studies,” Francesca states.

The Inserra paid internship program is supervised by Dr. Teresa Fiore (Professor of Italian and Inserra Chair in Italian American Studies). Students are selected by a committee made up of other faculty members (Dr. Enza Antenos, Assistant Professor of Italian, and Dr. Marisa Trubiano, Associate Professor of Italian), and a representative for each company/institution partnering up with MSU for this program.

Made possible by the generosity of Mr. Inserra and the partial co-sponsorship of the Sferisterio Arena Association for two years in a row, this internship in audiovisual translation is supported by a team of local experts of the University of Macerata, directed by Dr. Di Giovanni (all featured in the photo above). included innovative, if not daring, productions of Verdi’s La Traviata directed by Henning Brockhaus with its multiple mirrors, Donizetti’s ��’e���������� d’amore directed by Damiano Michieletto “on the seaside”, and Mozart’s Il flauto magico directed by Graham Vick with a town-inclusive spirit — all confirming the constant dynamism of this opera festival.

Like last year’s intern, Rosanna Coviello, Oscar has remarked that the experience in “beautiful, and above all, peaceful Macerata” with such a dedicated group of experts has been extremely fulfilling, if not life-changing, from both a personal and professional point of view. In his comments upon returning, he has emphasized “the sense of responsibility towards those spectators out of the 36,500 this year who depended on the English surtitles or audiodescriptions to make the shows accessible, meaningful and enjoyable to them.” As he concluded, “This responsibility with a public that seeks to understand in their own language something done in a different one has inspired me to explore more in depth the many ways in which translation can be done, and pursue a career in the translation field where I can utilize my knowledge of three languages: Spanish, English, and now Italian.”

“The pre-professional experiences open to students in the Italian Program thanks to the Inserra Endowment continue to reflect the main elements of our approach to the field: a collaborative interdisciplinary spirit, an applied take on language, and a belief in the centrality of arts, culture, and technology in language acquisition,” as Dr. Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies) pointed out in her role of internship supervisor on the �鶹��ý���� campus side, along with Dr. Marisa Trubiano. “The Italian Program’s multiple class offerings in translation (AVT, film, tourism, literature, business, etc.) prepare our students for culminating experiences such as special class projects and internships,”�� Dr. Trubiano remarked. “The skills and experiences they gather in the process with languages, translation and accessibility make them into strong candidates for the creative and cultural industries, and far beyond.”

After last year’s success, the Inserra Chair and the Italian Program at �鶹��ý���� are very pleased to be offering two paid internships for next academic year.

1. Internship at the Italian Trade Agency and Choose New Jersey ()

The internship is articulated��in two parts: a summer portion at the��Italian Trade Agency, New York, and a winter/spring portion at��Choose New Jersey, Princeton.��The intern will work with the local staff at both locations on business plans, budget development, promotional efforts and event logistics. The internship may include a trip to Italy designed to strengthen the business ties between Italy and the U.S. via meetings with select firms and chambers of commerce.

Deadline to apply: Sun March 18, 2018 at midnight.
For requirements, eligibility and more details visit the��Internship at the Italian Trade Agency official page.

2. Internship in Macerata ().

The seven-week summer internship will take place at the��Sferisterio Arena��in Macerata, Italy, in connection with the����as part of a broader initiative about translation and pre-professional opportunities for students.��The intern will have the unique chance to work on surtitling of live operas within a translation and accessibility project overseen by a team of experts at the Macerata Opera Festival and the University of Macerata.

Deadline to apply:��Fri. March 18, 2018 at midnight.
For details on this internship, visit the��official page.

Each paid internship is generously supported by a $5,000 scholarship provided by Mr. Inserra via the Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. Scholarship (�鶹��ý���� Foundation). The intern will receive a stipend for the summer work as well as credit for tuition and fees.