Category Archives: Why study Italian at Penn State

On Mt. Etna with the Penn State Reggio Summer Program

Hi! My name is Hamdan and I am from the United Arab Emirates. Currently a 5th year senior pursuing a Chemical Engineering degree and two minors which are Italian and Engineering Entrepreneurship.

I believed learning a new language had always been something unique that could distinguish me from others and a great overall cultural experience. We are very lucky that Penn State has many language classes from the far east to the far west of the world. The tremendous languages that are being taught at Penn State got me curious to find what language I would like it to be my third (I speak Arabic and English fluently). Along with some motivation from friend, we started taking beginner Italian 001 classes during our junior year. In the later semesters, I kept going on that “Italian road” with Intermediate 002 and Advanced 003. During summer 2016, I had the opportunity to study broad in the Reggio program run by the faculty in the Italian department. The program in Reggio offered 6 credits that can be counted towards a minor in Italian. Having accumulated 10 credits that counts towards the minor, I was left with two 400 level courses and another 300 level Italian elective. I am currently taking a 400-level Italian class and a 300-level class. For next semester, spring 2017, I will be concluding my Italian minor with another 400-level class!

Why study Italian at Penn State? – Italian Major Hannah Fanelle

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Hannah Fanelle – Italian Major ’17 – It all kind of just fell into place. I had to take Italian my freshman year because it was required by the College of Communications if I wanted to pursue my intended major- advertising. After taking Italian 3 I decided to follow through with a minor in Italian, with all the extra credits I needed to take so I figured, why not?

I was set on going abroad to Florence, Italy my junior year. After going through the application process and being accepted, I found out it was not financially feasible for me. Upset but determined I looked for a way to further my Italian education. I was surprised when I found out how easy it was to double major in Italian Language and Literature. Only eighteen more credits- and it worked out perfectly with my concurrent major. I’m thrilled with my decision to double major in advertising and Italian. It really allowed me to make the most of my Penn State Education and has opened many doors for me. When I graduate I hope I can use my Italian degree to its fullest potential (maybe in Florence!).

Why study Italian at Penn State? – Italian Major Jana Bontrager

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Photo by Stephanie Dougher 2016 (www.stephaniedee.com)

Jana Bontrager – Italian Major ’16 – Upon entering Penn State as a freshman, I had absolutely no intention, nor – to be honest – interest, in studying language. I knew I needed to complete 12 credits of a foreign language for my, then, business degree, so I decided on Italian because it sounded pretty and I thought it might be helpful with music. It was in those basic classes that I fell in love with the Italian language. Through the encouragement and support of the Italian department, I established a concurrent degree in Italian.

Later on, my fondness for Italian compelled me to spend a semester abroad in Siena, Tuscany. Four months of frothed-to-perfection cappuccino, breathtaking vistas and illustrious art really sealed the deal; Italy had truly won me over. Although my aims for my Italian degree have never primarily been vocational, my experience with all things Italian truly changed my life. Now, as a graduating senior, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Florence, Italy, and take with me a newfound affinity for Dante, Verdi and Botticelli!