For the years to come, I only understood some Italian phrases and would often ask friends who completed Italian courses in high school if I could read over their homework to see how the language looked like. 

During the first week of college, I met with chair of the Department of European Studies, and director of the Italian Department at San Diego State University (SDSU), Dr. Clarissa Clò. I recall vividly the moment she enthusiastically greeted me with a “Ciao!” Just hearing one word spoken to me in Italian sparked excitement and motivated me to partake in the most beautiful language learning journey I could have ever imagined. 

Aside from completing a minor in Italian at SDSU, I majored in biology and completed a second minor in leadership. I was offered the opportunity to work as an instructional student assistant in lower-division Italian courses where I worked closely with professors to enhance the students’ Italian-learning experience. I also had the privilege to serve as President of the Italian club for a couple of years. 

Currently, I am a student doctor at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry. I stand by the idea that learning a language, such as Italian, can complement your studies in ways you do not imagine, regardless of one’s main field of study. As a future optometrist, I wish to one day provide care to Italian-speakers in their native language.

Italian has not only allowed me to develop skills in foreign languages, but it has opened me the doors to Italian culture. It is thanks to the Italian language that I have met mentors, long-life friends, and lived some of the most wonderful experiences.

Award-winning restaurateur, pizzaiolo, and owner of Washington DC’s legendary Il Canale, 90 Second Pizza, and A Modo Mio, Joe Farruggio, was born in Sicily and began his career as a teenage dishwasher in New York City in 1970, just five days after he  came from Italy on a ship called Michelangelo with his family. “When I started working as a dishwasher, I was making $90 a week, working 60 hours. At another job, I was paid $120, working 60 hours. In the Village, I was making $215, and then I went to work at Queen Pizza for $250, working less hours. Shortly after that, I got a better offer to go work in Brighton Beach,” he stated in his recently released memoir, My Name is Joe And I Am a Pizza Man, An American Story. 

In 1977 he moved to Virginia and noticed that the presence of the Italian culture and authentic cuisine was scarce in the nation’s capital, he says in My Name is Joe And I am a Pizza Man, An American Story (Fourth Lloyd Productions, 2022). The memoir, now available on Amazon, is co-written with award-winning, best-selling author Thierry Sagnier and offers valuable lessons for anyone searching to make their dreams come true. My Name Is Joe And I Am A Pizza Man, An American Story is the quintessential immigrant story, an entrepreneur’s tale of rags to riches, demonstrating that with courage, intelligence and instinct, anything is possible.

Founded in 1957, Borrelli is an Italian fashion brand offering men’s clothing and accessories. Release of “Royal Collection of Fragrances” of niche men’s fragrances opens a new chapter in the history of the fashion house. Collection follows Borrelli’s motto “Go back to go forward”, paying tribute to the essence of the Neapolitan fashion house. Silk, Cotton, Vicuña Wool and Cashmere. Perfumers’ genius turned the fabrics into eponymous fragrant symbols: Silk marks an exquisite power, Cotton- a new beginning, Vicuña Wool- effervescent festivity and Cashmere-respect for ascendancy. Bergamot is the note that pierces the entire collection, alludes traditional eau de colognes and created the bright and purely Italian character of the scents.