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Massimo Bonavita Scholarship

In line with our mission to promote Italian language and culture, the Italian Cultural Center has been committed to funding a student scholarship since 2014.
The Massimo Bonavita Scholarship, named after one of the founders of the Italian Cultural Center, is offered to students of Italian Studies , in collaboration with leading Minnesota colleges and institutions, to provide financial support to offset expenses related to study abroad in Italy.
Scholarship offerings may vary each year and are subject to specific eligibility requirements.
Please refer to individual program details for additional information.

Massimo Bonavita Memorial Scholarship/University of Minnesota/CLA - Study Abroad Program

The 2026 scholarship was awarded to Julia Tarini.

Ciao! I am from Eau Claire Wisconsin, and I will be graduating from the University of Minnesota next spring with a degree in English and a minor in Italian Studies. Literature, writing and the visual arts are an important part of my life.

Language and communication have always been fascinating to me so I decided to study Italian to supplement that interest and reconnect with the Italian side of my family. I’m excited to travel the world and learn more about Italy, its people, their culture, and art.

In the future I would love to share that knowledge through articles or narrative writing, while supporting literature that emphasizes the importance of communication and cultural exchange.

The 2025 scholarship was awarded to Nhat Bui.

Salve! I am originally from Vietnam, though my family moved to the States when I was young. I grew up in Springfield, Missouri, learning Vietnamese and American cultures side-by-side. Currently, I am double majoring in Theatre Arts and Italian Studies at the University of Minnesota.

My first encounter with the Italian language was in high school, when I briefly took opera lessons. The musical quality of the language instantly captured my heart that I continued studying Italian in college. From there, my eyes were opened to Italy's rich culture and history. I couldn't help but be enamored.

Learning about different cultures and perspectives is one of the most interesting parts of life!

The 2024 scholarship was awarded to Brisa Yezzi-Woodley.

Ciao! I am from Maple Grove, Minnesota, born to an Italian-American mother and a Kiwi (New Zealander) father. I am double-majoring in Political Science and Italian Studies at the University of Minnesota.

Reconnecting to our Italian heritage has been an important journey for my mother's side of the family.

I took Italian language courses to achieve that goal while studying at the University of Minnesota. Little did I know I would fall in love with studying its history, global impact, and modern culture.

I chose to study Italy's language and culture not only for my connection but also in hopes of building an international community.