Growing Up in Italy, Growing Up in the US (Part I)

On our last day in the US this summer, I sat down with my nephew, Samuel Pellegrino McNeill, and my daughter, Giada Veronica Ciampi, to talk about identity, the value of studying the Italian language in the US, and what it’s like growing up half-American in Italy and Italian American in the US today. In this first part of our chat, we speak about their cultural and linguistic connections, respectively to Italy and to the US, and engage in a dialogue about the similarities and the differences between the two countries, with a specific emphasis on education. This episode is particularly useful to young people who are curious about what high school and college look like in the United States and in Italy. We also delve into representations of Italy and Italianness in the US and how Americans are perceived by Italians.   This episode is the first in a special series dedicated to young voices from Italy, giovani voci dall’Italia. The series strives to give space and a platform to a new generation and connects listeners to what they are feeling, thinking, and saying, and to what’s important to them at this moment in time. Biographies Samuel Pellegrino McNeill is a pre-law first year student at Fordham College at Lincoln Center planning to major in history. He began his study of Italian while in high school and his passion for the Italian culture and language have inspired him to continue his study of Italian at Fordham. A lover of music, especially jazz, he is a polystrumentalist and also an active member of Fordham’s Model United Nations. Samuel McNeill was inducted into the National Honors Society, the Tri-M Music Honors Society, and the Dante Alighieri Honors Society; he is also the recipient of Cresskill High School’s History Department award for academic excellence.   Giada Veronica Ciampi is in her third year of liceo classico in Florence. When she is not studying and translating Latin and ancient Greek, you’ll find her playing piano, listening to Taylor Swift, reading, volunteering, working as an English tutor, or binging her favorite TV shows. She is also a Red Cross certified lifeguard. Giada is applying to attend Brown University’s Pre-College Program in Summer 2024 and is planning to go to college in the U.S. after finishing liceo in Italy.