50 students abroad in 13 years together

July 26, 2022

New scholarships awarded in America, Asia, and Europe with Intercultura and Fondazione Pesenti.

Bergamo, July 25, 2022 – Today, four Intercultura Scholarships were awarded to students from the province of Bergamo, promoted by the Fondazione Cav. Lav. Carlo Pesenti for the 2022–2023 school year.

The collaboration between the two Foundations, active since the 2009/2010 school year, has so far enabled around 50 outstanding students to spend time abroad in countries across the world—places that are deeply different, both culturally and in educational approach.

Mietta Denti Rodeschini, former Vice President and Philanthropy Advisor of Fondazione Intercultura, stated: “Fondazione Pesenti continues its support for new generations, in line with its commitment to social responsibility and the European Union’s guidelines on intercultural education. Above all, on behalf of all of Intercultura, I want to express heartfelt thanks to the Pesenti family for their ongoing support for the youth of the Bergamo area. We are especially proud to see these four students depart—young people who will return more aware and active citizens.” .

Sergio Crippa, Secretary General of the Fondazione Pesenti, emphasized:
“The testimonies of students who have spent a year abroad—despite their differences and even after years—share a common thread: the awareness that such an experience changes the way you see the world. Stepping out of your comfort zone is both exciting and intimidating, but thanks to the constant support of Intercultura’s volunteers, students return profoundly changed—more aware of the value of human and cultural diversity, more conscious in seeking their role in the world, more responsible and curious. Hearing their stories not only encourages and inspires the new scholarship recipients preparing to leave, but also reinforces the efforts of the Fondazione pesenti to support the younger generations as they approach a complex, interconnected world equipped with the right tools and a new awareness ”.

The scholarships for the 2022/2023 school year were awarded during a ceremony held at the Fondazione Pesenti in Bergamo to four students residing in the province of Bergamo, selected for their outstanding academic achievements:

Silvia Danesi – departing for a year-long program in Thailand
Omar Dominoni – departing for a year-long program in Panama
Annalisa Riccardi – departing for a year-long program in the Czech Republic
Luca Ripamonti – departing for a year-long program in Mexico

Joining in the well-wishes from Sergio Crippa and Mietta Denti Rodeschini were the 2021–2022 scholarship recipients—Caterina Giudici, Valentina Segala, and Francesca Unuagbon—who shared reflections on their experiences studying abroad in Argentina, France, and Belgium, respectively. It has now become a tradition to encourage a meeting between departing students and those returning from the Intercultura experience supported by the Fondazione Pesenti, in order to foster the creation of an alumni network bound by this extraordinary experience.

Fondazione Pesenti positions itself as a platform for promoting and spreading a culture of innovation, understood as the development of ideas, projects, and actions capable of generating a positive impact on a social, environmental, and cultural level.
Its new areas of focus—alongside its traditional commitment to the protection of Italy’s historical and artistic heritage, educational and scientific programs, conferences, publications, humanitarian projects, and social solidarity—aim to promote and support initiatives that foster the creation of new enterprises with significant social value, particularly those developed by younger generations.

Intercultura ODV is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1955. It operates in 158 Italian cities and in over 60 countries across all continents. The organization organizes and funds international student exchange programs through scholarships, classroom workshops, and training courses for teachers and school leaders. Each year, these activities engage thousands of students, families, schools, and volunteers from around the world.