America Domani sat down with NIAF, National Italian American Foundation, to talk about the Voyage of Discovery program, an educational trip that travels to NIAF’s rotating Region of Honor, helping students travel to Italy for the last 20 years.
The Voyage of Discovery program was created by Peter F. Secchia, the US Ambassador to Italy, under the George H. W. Bush Administration. When Ambassador Secchia passed away in 2020, he left behind a generous gift to endow the Voyage of Discovery for years to come.
Since the Voyage of Discovery Program has begun, it has constantly evolved and become very competitive. The 2023 program has expanded to two tiers; it will be divided into two 2 week sessions during the month of June and will take 24 students each session for a total of 48 accepted applications. Another new addition this year will be kicking off the two sessions in Rome and then traveling to the Region of Honor, Emilia-Romagna. Students will travel to different towns and cities, learn about the culture and take part in community service.
All applicants must submit:
- 3 essays
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Latest University transcript
The application deadline is Tuesday, January 31, 2023. All applicants will be notified about their acceptance to the program on March 1, 2023.
To find out more about the Voyage of Discovery, follow them on Instagram @niafvoyageofdiscovery.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.