La Salle Freshman Guiseppina ScottoDiCarlo Receives Scholarship from Association of Italian American Educators
to Study in Italy

Giuseppina ScottoDiCarlo said that her parents want their children to remember their heritage; she said this, along with her love of the country where she once lived, has helped the La Salle University freshman receive a prestigious scholarship for Italian Americans from the Association of Italian American Educators. The award is presented to students of Italian descent with at least a 3.5 GPA and who demonstrate a good comprehension of the Italian language.  

ScottoDiCarlo and her brother are both American citizens, born in New Jersey. Her father’s plan was always to move back to Italy, she explained. When she was five years old, the family moved back to the small town near Naples where her father had grown up. She spent nine years in Italy before moving back to the United States, and calls it her home.  

But… 

“There’s no English allowed at my parents’ house in Moorestown, NJ, said ScottoDiCarlo, who is majoring in Italian Education. Her parents’ rule and their focus on their Italian heritage, is not something she takes for granted. “I am very lucky, and I do thank my parents,” ScottoDiCarlo said. 

With the encouragement of Marcco Cerrocci, a professor of Italian at La Salle, ScottoDiCarlo applied for the scholarship, which required an interview in New York City. Then she learned she was one of the 11 recipients of the award, and the only freshman.  

“I was very, very happy and excited,” said she on finding out she received the scholarship. “Freshmen don’t usually have this opportunity.” She is also excited about the award for another reason -- she gets to go back to her home of nine years. 

She will study in Rome for the month of July at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where she’ll take two “intensive” courses, Contemporary Italy and European Institutions. 

ScottoDiCarlo began taking Italian classes during her first semester of college.  

“Since the very beginning, Giuseppina has always been truly determined to do well in my courses,” said Cerrocci. “Her enthusiasm for Italian literature, culture, and language is underscored by her perfect attendance and the timeliness of her assignments.”

While it may seem obvious that a student who lived in Italy for nine years would excel in Italian classes, ScottoDiCarlo added, “There are always new things to learn about the culture and the language.” 

ScottoDiCarlo emphasized the opportunities it creates: “I could become an ambassador; I could become a teacher; I could become a translator,” said ScottoDiCarlo. She also plans on earning a minor in French and hopes to study abroad in France during her junior year. 

Despite only being in her second semester at La Salle, ScottoDiCarlo has become very involved in the university. Besides excelling in her classes, she is also a member of the La Salle Organization Caring for Kids (which gathers toys for underprivileged children) and the Italian Club. She and about 10 other students have also formed the group, Il Café Italiano, a club that meets weekly to discuss various topics in relation to Italy and its culture.

-- Jennifer Portante