Global Experiences and the Order Sons of Italy Create Unique Scholarship Opportunities

Global Experiences and the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) have come together to offer a unique study and intern abroad scholarship opportunity in Italy as part of the Sons of Italy Foundation's annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 7, 2006 -- On a night featuring speeches from President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and award presentations to internationally recognized Italian American business leaders, one of the most memorable moments actually came from a group of teenagers whose names are not yet known in the public or private sectors.

The mood of the evening and the words of President Clinton called all present to use their talents not only to excel locally, but also abroad – to act as “global citizens” and spread goodwill across national borders.

These ideas were put idyllically into action on May 25th, 2006 at the 18th annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala, hosted by The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), as the organization donated scholarships to 13 young Italian Americans whose hard work, determination, and values have helped them to stand out among their peers. To use a catch phrase of the evening, these scholarships will place them on the path to becoming “global ambassadors.”

This year’s Gala offered a unique scholarship thanks to Global Experiences, a US-based international education provider with long standing ties to OSIA. Global Experiences (www.globalexperiences.com), the leader in customized internship programs in Italy, has developed a scholarship designed to do exactly what President Clinton asked of all Gala participants. The winner of the Global Experiences student scholarship, 18 year old Joseph Catania, will be given the opportunity to study Italian in Florence for one month before proceeding on to a customized internship with an Italian company in his field of study. This unique opportunity is one of many offered by Global Experiences.

To further the relationship between the two organizations, Global Experiences offers discounts to any OSIA members who would like to participate in their various programs abroad. Director of Operations for Global Experiences, Michael Greto, also presented at the annual OSIA Student summit in March, extolling the benefits of learning Italian, studying, and working abroad. “Students engaging in these three opportunities,” states Greto, “will not only be heeding the advice of a former President and world leader, but will be bettering themselves in the process.”

The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the nation's oldest and largest organization for people of Italian heritage. Over the years, the SIF has contributed more than $93 million to medical research, disaster relief, and scholarships.

Global Experiences was founded to help promote cultural exchange opportunities for individuals wanting to live, work and travel abroad. The industry leader in Italian internship programs, they also offer opportunities in Australia, Spain, France, and Ecuador.

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