National Italian American Foundation

Christina Bittoni.
Christina Bittoni is a sophomore majoring in International Relations and Diplomacy and Italian. She was awarded two $5,000 scholarships from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Each summer the NIAF awards scholarships to outstanding students for use during the following academic year. The awards are made on the basis of academic merit and divided between two groups of students; those of Italian American background who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements, and students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in the Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements.

Scholarship awards range from $2,000‐ $12,000 and are awarded to undergraduate, graduate, post‐graduate, medical, dental, and legal students. Christina is using her scholarships to fund a study abroad program to Italy this Spring semester! She hopes to increase her Italian language fluency.

"My study abroad will take place at the American University of Rome from January 20 ‐ May 14, 2014. I will be pursuing International Relations and Italian courses. I look forward to living in the university‐appointed housing at the top of the Gianicolo hill in Rome! I am also very excited to travel to various parts of Europe throughout the trip!"