WTI Magazine #54    2015 February, 20
Author : Nicola Bergamo      Translation by: John Cabot University

I grew up fascinated by the United States, just like all my peers who lived through the Cold War since childhood. At the time, there was the division between good and bad, between democracy and dictatorship, between freedom and oppression, and we all knew which side to take. Although, the distinction is not so clear-cut now, and geopolitical developments have brought a complete transformation of the European arena, I am still a strong pro-American.

My passion for this extraordinary country is partially due to my relatives who immigrated in the 1930s to New York City in search of fortune. The majority of my grandmother's siblings, having Friulian origins, chose the United States as a means to escape from the predominating famine and the desperate search for secure employment. They were successful and were able to help my grandparents as well as my father and my uncles. When I had the chance to go to the Big Apple, the first one in my family, I met them and one of them proudly showed me parts of the mosaic assembled by him that was used for the decoration of the Empire State Building.

My love for the U.S. continued during my adolescence and became even more intense when I finished my Humanistic studies at the University of Venice. I decided to attempt an American experience and, after writing to the most prestigious universities, I realized that I had what it takes to be accepted into a doctoral program. However, I had little opportunity to obtain a financial scholarship since the deadlines had already passed and the challenging test known as the GRE.

I decided not to give up and, after spending a year in Belfast where I acquired a Master of Arts in Byzantine studies and Modern Greek, I applied to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. One of my friends had been granted a fellowship there for three months. I decided to also try and thanks to my academic experience, especially my research project (which led to a book some years later), I was welcomed into the great family of Notre Dame University.

The experience was truly amazing, of the best of my life. I was accepted as one of their own, and they gave me the possibility to study in their immense library (eleven floors of open-shelves) for three months. A small office was made available to me, something that is unthinkable in Europe and impossible in Italy, internet access (far from common in Italy in 2009 but standard in the U.S.), and they even helped me find a home. I went with my now wife to live in university housing, and I paid a fixed rent. Thus, even if the scholarship money was modest, all this special attention permitted me to live more than comfortably in Southbend.

One phrase has remained stuck in my mind ever since I spoke with the then Director of History, Prof. Noble: " I chose you for no other reason than the fact that you are the best". Besides the pride that I felt in that moment, I thought right away that this could have never happened in an Italian university. I believed that I had finally found the right place to carry on with my projects, but I was wrong.

When I returned to Italy after this great experience, I was determined to continue my studies in the U.S. I had the time to prepare my projects, obtain language certification and tried to pass the infamous GRE. Unfortunately, all of my star-spangled dreams were shattered because of the exam. Although I had studied substantially, and I took many practice tests, my results were mediocre, too low to be accepted at an American university. My applications were all denied.

My interest for the U.S. did not diminished. However, I decided to undertake another route; I chose a French university in Paris where I was welcomed by an Italian professor who had also escaped from Italy. After some time, I had the opportunity to return to the U.S. as a visiting fellow, first at Dumbarton Oaks, a branch of Harvard, with little success, and in the end I seized the opportunity to go to Fordham University. In a twist of fate, it was the same university where the children of my relatives graduated in Law. I sent my proposal to the Director of Medieval studies, Prof. Kowaleski who accepted my request only because of my impressive CV. I decided to start in the fall semester of 2014 but this time I moved with the entire family. Fordham is one the most important universities in the U.S., and famous in New York City, especially among the Italian Americans.

I had a desk with my own name, a photocopy card and an email address and internet access. I could study as I wish, being able to rely on the assistance of the Center and all the library staff. Moreover, I participated in the ongoing academic activities, and I attended many seminars and conferences. My experience was a little different than that of Notre Dame because this time I was mature enough to face a PhD program. The excitement and newness of my experience in Southbend led to the awareness and determination necessary to continue and finish my studies.

I have to thank the U.S. for the great opportunities that it has offered me, without asking anything in return. The country permitted me to continue my studies and mature in many ways.