Growing up in Italy, Growing up in the US (Part II)

In part two of my conversation with Giada and Sam, we continue to discuss some of the most critical differences between the US and Italian education systems and how they are shaping a new generation of global citizens. As we dig deeper into these questions, and their inevitable cultural implications, we also touch upon activism, walk-outs, and the very Italian notions of occupazione and scioperi, happening all over Italian high schools right now, and which Giada helps us unpack.  We also have fun talking about English and Italian vocabulary and pronunciation, reflect on the challenges of language learning, and begin to approach the trickier nuances of both languages and cultures. Finally, and perhaps not surprisingly, we also mention coffee and food culture.   This episode is the second 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.  Lexicon and Links  DIGOS  Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali  Riot police, Special Ops. Police https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divisione_Investigazioni_Generali_e_Operazioni_Speciali Occupazione   Italian Definition- https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/occupazione/  English Translation - https://www.wordreference.com/iten/occupazione Sciopero  Italian Definition - https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/sciopero/?search=Sciopero English Translation - https://www.wordreference.com/iten/sciopero Google news search results in Italian on current occupazioni at Italian high schools:  https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=588686839&rlz=1C5CHFA_enIT1052IT1052&sxsrf=AM9HkKlAi1jXwAb6DVT8vcn5niUac2JG9w:1701943612682&q=occupazioni+licei&tbm=nws&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji1teDiv2CAxUpy7sIHQ6sBOQQ0pQJegQIChAB&biw=1450&bih=834&dpr=2 The Italian Ministry of Education, Overview  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education,_University_and_Research Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito, Official Webiste (in Italian only)  https://www.miur.gov.it/ European Commission, Overview of National Education Systems, Italy  https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/italy/overview K-12 Study in the States https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/get-started/kindergarten-to-grade-12-students Higher Education in the US, Overview   https://educationusa.state.gov/experience-studying-usa/us-educational-system