It’s no secret that New York City is home to some of the best ways to experience Italian culture, with neighborhoods such as Little Italy and artisanal grocery stores such as Eataly. We are surrounded by a plethora of cultures, and as New Yorkers, it is our responsibility to take full advantage of the opportunities they offer to understand and become immersed in the languages, foods, and traditions of many different people.

Today, New Yorkers can visit the Italian American Museum to learn about the history and presence of this ethnic group; celebrate the annual, 11-day Feast of San Gennaro to salute the Patron Saint of Naples in September; and, of course, learn Italian, a rich language with a long, celebrated history. Learning a new language is one of the best ways to become familiar with a country you might have an interest in. It also helps when there is a large presence of people speaking it in your area.