Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to walk in the footsteps of your ancestors, to breathe in the air of the stunning Italian landscapes, and to indulge in Italy’s world-renowned cuisine? The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) invites you to connect with the rich tapestry of your heritage through its Voyage of Discovery Program.
This program, designed for young Italian-Americans, offers a two-week all-expense paid adventure where you will be introduced to “the vibrant culture, mouth-watering cuisine and fascinating history that puts one’s Italian American heritage into a life-changing context that was never realized before.” From exploring historic cities and towns to viewing ancient landmarks, this is a unique opportunity to totally immerse yourself in Italian culture.
Started with the financial support of Ambassador Peter F. Secchia, the US Ambassador to Italy from 1989 to 1993, the program began in 2001 after he witnessed the profound impact that traveling to Italy had on so many college students’ identities. To further facilitate these meaningful experiences, Secchia began the program by sponsoring trips to either Northern or Southern Italy, but the itinerary has since evolved to be hosted in NIAF’s Region of Honor each year. Thus far, the program has sent over 1,000 Italian-Americans to Italy, and you now have the chance to take part in this amazing tradition of reconnecting the younger generation to their ethnic roots.
To be eligible for the program, you must be:
- A full-time college student at a college or university for the semester preceding the trip
- Between the ages of 18-23 at the time of travel
- Of Italian heritage
- A United States citizen or a permanent resident alien
- A member of NIAF
If you meet this criteria, you can apply for this year’s trip by completing the application attached by the February 2nd (11:59 p.m. PT) deadline. However, the program only hosts two separate sessions of 24 students each annually, and with 200-400 applicants every year and the application deadline quickly approaching, time is running out to secure your spot.
If you decide to submit an application, the selected candidates will be notified on Friday, March 1st, at 5:00 p.m. PT via email and will have exactly one week to accept the invitation to one of the sessions in early or mid-June. For any additional questions, please refer to the NIAF website.
Resources:
- Voyage of Discovery Program [NIAF]
- Voyage of Discovery History [NIAF]
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Wow, this is incredible news! As a young Italian American, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the opportunity to visit Italy for free. Thank you so much, NIAF, for making dreams come true and allowing us to connect with our heritage. Grazie mille!
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