Chapman Italian Studies News

After graduating from Chapman in 2018 with a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising, a B.A. in Italian Studies, and a minor in Sociology, Briana Salatino started her professional career with The Other Art Fair, a global artist fair offering visitors an opportunity to meet and buy directly from the best emerging artistic talent.

During her time with the company, Briana was instrumental in launching editions in Los Angeles and Dallas. She has worked with over 600 domestic and international artists for onsite special features, brand partnerships, and sponsorship deals. Her day-to-day involves communication with upcoming exhibitors, guiding them from the acceptance stage to onsite exhibition, all while navigating different timezones and language barriers (sometimes Italian).

Briana’s self-designed major in Italian Studies, and trips to Italy — including a semester abroad at The Umbra Institute in Perugia — have provided her with skills applicable to her current role.  “Learning a new language and immersing yourself into a culture different from your own challenges you to think on your toes, and differently from how you normally would,” says Briana. “In the events industry, contingency planning and creative problem solving are essential. I find that because of my experiences navigating a foreign country, practicing a foreign language and immersing myself in new ways of thinking, I’m able to pivot and adjust easily in a professional context. In the days of COVID-19, this skill has proven itself essential and allowed The Other Art Fair to expand into new territory when most are calling it quits.”

Not only did Briana’s experience with the Chapman’s Italian Studies program help boost her resume, but it also allowed her a deeper connection with her Italian heritage. In Briana’s words: “Taking the opportunity to really delve into Italian language through my self-designed major had great impact. It led to building relationships with members of my extended family living in Naples; reading books in the Italian language (L’amica geniale by Elena Ferrante, anyone?); translating my Nonna’s recipes as I transferred them from analog to digital for safekeeping; and feeling comfortable enough to spend three days traveling solo in Venice earlier this year. I wouldn’t have had any of those experiences if I wasn’t as comfortable as I am with reading, writing, and speaking Italian. I’m really grateful I took the plunge and took the extra step with my Italian education. A minor or major in Italian can be beneficial in your professional and personal development —it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

After graduating from Chapman in May 2018 with a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Italian Studies and traveling to Italy for six weeks for his post-grad summer trip, Massimo Lesti has been enjoying the start of a promising career at the Gallo Wine Company in Los Angeles. The E. & J. Gallo Winery is one of the world’s leading wineries and was recently ranked on Glassdoor’s “Top 50 Best Places to Work” for the fourth year in a row (in 2020).

Starting in October 2018 as a Wine & Spirits Sales Representative in South LA County, Massimo consulted with local businesses on how to maximize the sales revenue of their alcohol department. He focused on displaying select brands, educating customers on new products and digital advertising programs, and managing the overall business of his territory. In July of this year, Massimo was promoted to the Field Training Manager position, overseeing sales reps in Los Angeles and Orange County. In this role, Massimo is using his knowledge and experience in the industry to help Gallo Representatives grow and optimize their business in their respective territories.

Reflecting on the impact of his studies at Chapman, Massimo said: “My minor in Italian Studies and several trips to Italy – including a semester abroad in Rome – were useful in learning more about the geographical origins and pronunciations of various wine varietals, as well as giving me the practical know-how to be independent and confident in running my own share of the larger business.”

Massimo is also involved in recruitment on the Chapman campus for Gallo Wine Co. and will be helping Juniors and Senior Panthers connect with the company to find summer internships and post-grad career opportunities. Any Junior and Senior-standing students interested in learning more should contact Massimo Lesti at Massimo.lesti@gallowineco.com

Grace Montgomery from Seal Beach, Calif. has been awarded the 2020 Casola Prize from the Patrons of Italian Culture. Grace Montgomery studies Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.  She is also minoring in Italian as well as Business Analytics. Grace is currently serving as the President of the Italian Club at Chapman. She dreams to find a career that will mix both her passion for Business and Italian in the workplace.

The Casola Prize is a prestigiuos scholarship that supports the study of the Italian language and culture at the university level. The Patrons of Italian Culture is a nonprofit California Corporation that sponsors extensive programs and activities emphasizing the many aspects of Italian culture and heritage.

Congratulazioni, Grace! 

My name is Sarina Welsh and I’d like to share my experience with the Global Communication and World Languages (Italian Track) B.A. program. In this new major, students pursue fluency in a chosen language while infusing their course of study with communication theory and research. Coming into college, I had an interest in Italian because of an exchange program that I took part in when I was in high school. Initially, I wasn’t sure how this interest could tie into my future career, but I was able to take classes and find opportunities that tied both Italian and Communication together.

When I first came to Chapman, I declared Communication Studies as my major. However, I missed speaking Italian and the Italian culture so I decided to take more Italian classes. I took a language test since I already had some proficiency in Italian and after speaking with Professor Pacchioni, I was able to take advanced Italian classes. Some of the classes I took were Business Italian, Italian Literature, and a class about Italian immigration. While I was able to improve and practice speaking and writing in Italian, these classes also gave me a better understanding of Italian culture and history.

In 2018, the Global Communication and World Languages major was created. I switched into this major in order to integrate my Communication classes with my Italian classes. This switch in major also gave me space to add a minor in Leadership Studies. While I was trying to figure out what I can do with my major and my passion once I graduate, I had the opportunity to create an Individual Study course with Professor Pacchioni. For this individual study, I taught a course at Higher Ground, an after school program for kids at risk in Anaheim. The course I developed was about Italian Food and Culture. I created lesson plans, activities, and games to introduce the kids to the Italian language. The children I taught ranged from second to fifth grade. I really enjoy cooking during my free time, especially Italian food, and I wanted to share this hobby with the students in my Higher Ground class. I thought cooking would be a fun way to introduce them to the Italian culture and I integrated a few activities where I taught them how to make risotto and cannolis. It was very fulfilling to see how much the kids learned throughout the semester and it gave me insight into teaching as a possible career path.

I am originally from Bangkok, Thailand and during the summer before my senior year, I went back home. I used this time to decide if I wanted to go back to Thailand after I graduate or stay in America. While I was back in Thailand that summer, I got an internship at the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce. I was the assistant to the Deputy Secretary-General and my role was to coordinate and assist Italian companies that came to develop businesses in Thailand. I also acted as an interpreter during meetings when needed. This was hard and frustrating for me at times but I’m also glad I did it because I was able to challenge myself and use Italian in a business context, which is something I’ve never done before. Through this experience, I was also able to grow my resume and gain new skills and experiences.

During my time at the Italian Chamber of Commerce, I was able to truly see the different ways cultures communicate and how culture affects the dynamics and conversations, especially in a work environment. It reminded me of all the concepts and theories I learned in my Communication classes such as high/low context cultures and the different power distances in each culture. Besides practicing my Italian language skills with Italian business people, I was also able to have conversations with them about various topics. I was able to apply what I learned in my Italian classes about Italian history and culture. It was an eye-opening experience and it reaffirmed why I chose to major in Global Communication and World Languages in the first place. This experience really bridged my Communication and Italian courses.

Throughout my years at Chapman and thanks to the constant support of my family and professors, I was able to do an internship in Marketing Strategy for Fondazione Italia, do a travel course in Sicily, study abroad in Rome, tutor Italian on campus, and intern at the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West. I also helped coordinate our upcoming annual event on campus called Italian Perspective with this year’s focus on Italian food and culture. Having specific knowledge about a culture and language, and knowing how to communicate with people from different cultures have been valuable skills that others have sought after.

The connections I have made while studying Global Communication and World Languages have opened up many opportunities for me. I am currently thinking about working in Italy because I have enjoyed my experiences at my previous internships and because I feel prepared to function in that culture. I am also thinking about staying in America and working for an Italian company or perhaps going back to work at the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce.