Elena Tittel, an English and Psychology major from Skidmore College, did an internship this past semester with Franky in New York, an online platform that celebrates the bridge between Italians and Americans.
Elena’s interview with Italian-American student Sam Fortunato about reconnecting with his roots while studying in Florence was published in Franky’s newsletter and is reposted here with the kind permission of Editor-in-Chief Elena Frigenti.
The Spring of Sam, Back to the Roots by Elena Tittel
Meet Sam Fortunato, an intern at Syracuse University in Florence. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fortunato is a junior mathematics major at Syracuse University with aspirations of pursuing a teaching career.
One of the main reasons Fortunato wanted to study abroad in Florence was to connect with his Italian heritage. “My father’s side (of the family) is Italian, and my mother’s side not, but I would still call myself an Italian American,” he said. “I actually don’t really have that much conversation with my father’s side of the family. My father’s father passed when he was 22 years old, and his mom isn’t really a big part of our lives. Because of that, I’m able to come here and really connect with that side of the family.”
For Fortunato, his favorite part about being in Florence has been living with his Italian host family. “I didn’t know much Italian at all coming to Florence, and I did not expect to be able to speak or be learning (Italian). In order to communicate with (my host family), I had to learn Italian, and now my Italian is really good,” he said. “I get to eat the best food; my host father is a very, very good cook. We have a great time together and really enjoy each other. Being with them has been the experience of a lifetime.”
Other than living with a host family, another way Fortunato has been able to immerse himself into the Italian culture in Florence is through his internship. “I had the opportunity to teach some Italian kids English and some math because I’m a math major. Teaching them English has helped my Italian because I have to translate all the time,” he said. “I went there after class two days a week, and sometimes on Fridays when I was in Florence.”
Overall, Fortunato has really found himself embracing the Italian lifestyle – something he wishes he could integrate into his life back in the United States. “It’s sort of hard to do, but I really like the lifestyle in Florence, like going to the café and being able to hang out there. I really like being able to pick up some cheap food and just walk anywhere,” he said. “I do live in the city of Philadelphia, so I’m able to walk, but not like I can here.”