My name is Rose Marone and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. This fall I am travelling to study at the University of Bologna on an Italian language track. I am grateful for the guidance of the Italian department at Penn and for the opportunity to represent Penn as this year’s Vittorini recipient.

Learning Italian has positively shaped my Penn experience. I look forward to immersing myself in Italian culture and enhancing my language skills in a real-world setting. I am excited to embrace all the challenges that come with studying abroad and — as I am an avid reader and writer — share my experiences with those at home.