An all-expenses-paid trip allowed an Italian American University student to learn more about his culture

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University student Michael Taormina was one of only 40 students in the
nation to qualify for the National Italian American Foundation program,
which sent him on a two-week trip to Italy with all expenses paid.
Erik R. Bishoff Photo Editor
Student explores heritage in Italy
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An all-expenses-paid trip allowed an Italian American University student
to learn more about his culture
Reese Lee
Freelance Reporter
June 24, 2004


Many college students can't afford a trip overseas, so one option is to
win an all-expenses-paid trip, which is what University student Michael
Taormina did.
The sophomore physics major visited Italy from May 23 to June 5 on a
trip sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) under
its Gift of Discovery program.

"It was an opportunity that presented itself," Taormina said of his
lucky break.

NIAF gave Taormina and 39 other Italian Americans10 days in the Campania
region of Italy, touring famous sites like the ruins of Pompeii and
Paestum. Taormina then stayed in Rome for several days.

The itinerary included meetings with students at a high school and
technical institute in Salerno, visits to Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi
Coast and its ceramic producers, as well as an intensive Italian lesson.
Taormina was selected to travel with the group after NIAF reviewed his
background, academics, letters of recommendation, and essays he
submitted.

Brock Olivo, NIAF Assistant of Educational Programs and chaperone of
Taormina's group, said Taormina "obviously attracted someone's eye and
got a high grade."

Taormina said he wanted to continue touring Italy, but had to return to
Eugene for spring-term finals.

"That was the worst part about the trip," he said.

Taormina said the best part of the trip was the group he traveled with.

"There are 40 kids in a group, and you have to do everything together,
so you have to get to know them pretty fast," he said. "It was a cool
experience."

He also liked going with people who know the country.

"It's a happy medium, as opposed to if you had gone by yourself or with
a commercial tour group," he said.

Prior to this trip, Taormina only knew about his Italian heritage
through his family and relatives.

"Growing up in a small town in Eastern Oregon, you don't get a big
Italian community, like in New York," he said.

Taormina recalled an amusing story from his trip.

"Two other students and I had strayed from the group, and we started
talking to these three kids," he said. "Suddenly their mother and
grandmother came out and dragged us into their house to eat."

Olivo remembers the incident.

"We were in this little mountain town, and we had just exited a church,"
Olivo said. "There was a long walk through the town to the bus, and
Michael and two other kids were literally dragged into a house!"

He added, "I opened the door and there was a table full of food and wine
and cheese and kids, and there in the middle of it all was Michael and
two other students, stuffing their faces."

Olivo also said Taormina got a lot out of the trip.

"Michael is a shining example of an Italian American," Olivo said. "He
was [mature] beyond his years, receptive to the speakers and tour
guides. He soaked it up and took it in." Rich Santoro, NIAF Manager of
Youth Programs, said applicants have to show an interest in their
heritage.

"The goal of the program is to bond Italian American students with their
heritage by bringing them to Italy, to show them the roots of where
their heritage lies," he said.

More information about NIAF can be found at .


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Reese Lee is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.