<p>Hello all. I am a first year student hoping to travel to Reggio di Calabria for a summer semester abroad. I am set on this program and location to gain greater abilities in speech and literacy in the Italian language. My understanding is that south Italy has far fewer English speakers than a more tourist filled location like Rome, so I would be forced to learn the language. By the time I leave I will have taken begginer's and intermediate Italian, a conversational Italian class and I attend a round table discussion each Monday night that is in Italian.</p>
<p>I attend the Pennsylvania State University and am hoping to have grants and scholarships pay the bulk of the fees outside of flights, for which I have been saving up for by working. I am black and have a 3.55 GPA and am in Smeal College of Business. Could anyone give direction toward what my methodology should be in searching for scholarships after I apply to all the university specific ones?</p>
<p>Hmmm. I’m a bit dubious about the value of these summer sessions. I realise you get college credit but you could learn as much at a local language school for far less. It’s really hard to force yourself to stick to Italian when your classmates may be less dedicated and you are all native English speakers. </p>
<p>Anyhow- google for national scholarships, try local charities like the Round Table/ Soroptoimists International (if you’re female). See if your local library or town hall holds information on grants. Also see if there is any possibilities with local Italian cultural groups or Italian trade bodies. And via the Italian embassy or your local consulate. Hustle!</p>
<p>I have to disagree with highland poppy about getting the same experience at a local language school. I think immersion is the only way to achieve true fluency. I had studied Italian all through high school and two years of college, but only became truly fluent when I lived in Italy. My daughter spent six weeks in a university-sponsored program in Genova and finally became fluent after many years of studying. It’s was a strict immersion program where they were only allowed to speak English during phone calls home. You are wise to pick a location where there are fewer English-speaking tourists and natives. It will be easier to absorb the language that way. Have a wonderful time. I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience. Sorry I don’t have any practical info about scholarships.</p>
<p>@foriobound- I meant a local language school in Italy. One run privately or by one of the major chains. I definitely agree that full immersion is the way to go. I spent 5 months in China and I most certainly benefited from heading out into town away from my British and American friends whenever I could to interact with the locals.</p>