About the Scholarship

CCI-NC is proud to offer an Italian language scholarship each year in conjunction with UNC Charlotte. In 2022, it was announced that a scholarship will also be awarded to a student at NC State University starting in the Spring of 2023.

The recipients travel to Milan, Italy to enroll in an intensive five-week Italian language program at Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci. To further integrate into the Italian culture, the students go on cultural excursions and are housed with a host family.

Language, however, is not the only focus of the trip. Since Milan is home to Italy's Stock Exchange, it is a hub for business and technology, and not just food and fashion. Consequently, the scholarship recipients have the opportunity to visit various Italian businesses and shadow managers of these companies in order to gain insights into how the Italian business world functions.

With more than 120 Italian firms in North Carolina (many of which are located in Charlotte), CCI-NC believes it is important to cultivate a community of young Italian speakers who can work with these companies. The scholarship primes students to do just that.

The scholarship is made possible by generous donations from the Italian business community, and is endorsed by the Honorary Consul of Italy.

Scholarship Requirements

Applicants for the Italian Language Scholarship must be either a UNC Charlotte or NC State University student who is a rising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.

Must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and prior to departure.

Preferences / Considerations

Business, Engineering, and Architecture majors are preferred, as are Italian minors.

Strongly recommended that the participant be enrolled in (or have already successfully completed) the first level of Italian offered by their university.

Agree to volunteer for CCI-NC and the Honorary Consul of Italy.

The recipient must participate in the Scholarship Awards Reception hosted by the Italian staff.

The students will give two presentations to the Board of CCI-NC:
- Prior to the trip, a presentation on the student's plans while in Milan, including what types of companies he or she would like to visit.
- After the trip, a recap of what he or she did while studying abroad, with attention to what they learned in regard to Italy's economy and business culture.

Application

Check back here for the application link at the start of the Spring Semester each year.

Past Winners

2017 - Mr. Chance Williams (UNC Charlotte)
2018 - Mr. Andrew Fiorentino (UNC Charlotte)
2019 - Mr. Greg Markowski (UNC Charlotte)
2020 - Canceled due to COVID-19
2021 - Canceled due to COVID-19
2022 - Mr. Aaron Lobo and Mr. Wolfgang White (UNC Charlotte)
2023 - Mr. Ryan Lowell and Ms. Frida Cachon Marmolejos (UNC Charlotte)