Watchung Hills Regional High School Students Visit MSU, Italian-Style

April 15, 2026

Continuing a years-old outreach tradition, the Italian Program hosted two Italian high school classes from Watchung Hills Regional High School. Teachers Tyana Truong and Benedetta Balsimelli brought forty-five third- and fourth-year students to campus for two meetings: a brief introduction to Montclair State University and the Italian Program and a friendly chat with Italian majors, facilitated by Dr. Trubiano, followed by a lively conversation with Dr. Dini about the celebrated Italian film directed by Emanuele Crialese, Nuovomondo. The outing ended with pizza for lunch at Leone’s in downtown Montclair.

Italian majors Alessandra Aziz, Pierluigi Sirio, Chiara Cardone, and Alex Ryon shared with their high school guests what led them to choose Montclair and the Italian Program for their studies. A picture emerged of a student-centered program, career prep courses, modules and projects, professional and cultural networking opportunities, and a warm sense of community among students. Pierluigi shared that he was happy to have transferred to Montclair because he gets to interact closely with each of his professors. Double major Alex (Italian and History) added that her Italian teacher and Montclair Italian alumnus, Robert Campana, had highly recommended the Montclair Program based on his own experience some years ago. Chiara highlighted how Drs. Antenos and Miele had hosted her for a day’s visit on campus, which led her to choose Montclair Italian. Lastly, Alessandra spoke about the warm and fun atmosphere created among students in the program through small classes, meetings, and events. In fact, Alessandra leads weekly culture and conversation gatherings funded by the Inserra Chair for Italian and Italian American Studies, the source of many cultural and educational opportunities for students, as is the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America.

WHRHS teachers Balsimelli and Truong had this to say about their day in Montclair:

“The field trip was such a meaningful and enriching experience for WH students and teachers! Upon arrival, students were warmly welcomed by Professor Trubiano and several of her advanced Italian students for a conversation on their connections to the Italian language and an informative presentation about the undergraduate and graduate Italian program at Montclair. It was a valuable experience for our students to hear from their older peers and to share their own connections to the Italian language and culture.

The discussion with Professor Dini was highly engaging and offered students deeper insight into the film’s historical context and relevance to conversations about identity and immigration today. Furthermore, Professor Dini provided the students with a preview of an actual college lecture, offering exposure to university life, which was especially meaningful to the students heading off to college in the fall.

Overall, both students and teachers greatly valued the visit to Montclair, as it fostered intellectual growth while also strengthening social connections among students. The experience was especially meaningful because it gave students the opportunity to engage with and reflect on complex themes such as identity and immigration, deepening both their academic understanding and personal perspectives. We look forward to visiting again in the future!”

Their students added:

“I really enjoyed my experience at Montclair and being able to engage with the professors and students. I liked how they both introduced the Italian program at Montclair and how it can really benefit our college experience and help us with our jobs in the future. The students talking about their time at Montclair helped me realize the opportunities they give to their students and how I can continue my Italian in college. I also really enjoyed talking about the film we watched in class with one of the professors, going through the real meanings and our thoughts on the film. Overall, it was a nice experience at Montclair!!”
— Alexa, 11th grade

“I really enjoyed our trip to Montclair State University. My sister just graduated from Montclair last spring, so I’m familiar with the campus, but learning about the Italian program felt like learning about an entirely different school. The trip opened my eyes to just how much Montclair has to offer. My favorite part of the tour was talking to the students because they were very welcoming and informative. It also made me feel more connected to the Italian program and to the school after talking to students who are actually a part of it. The classrooms were very nice, and I could tell by their size that Montclair makes sure students form a real connection with their professors. Overall, there was so much to do on and off campus, the learning environment seemed positive and welcoming, and the Italian programs were super interesting to hear about and seemed like so much fun.”
— Ella, 11th grade

“Montclair was so fun to visit. The Italian program is filled with passionate and welcoming teachers.”
— Ivana, 11th grade

“The field trip was very interesting and educational! I enjoyed meeting the Montclair students and talking to the professors.”
— Noa, 11th grade

“Leading up to the trip, I felt very nervous and anxious. I had just committed to Montclair, and prior to the field trip I had only attended an open house. Since I didn’t meet anyone from the Italian program there, I had no idea what to expect. What would lectures look like? What teaching styles would my professors have? The trip helped answer my questions.

The field trip not only eased my nerves, but also made me more comfortable with the campus. Italian is a less popular language at my school compared to Spanish, Mandarin, and French, let alone people pursuing it as a major. The trip solidified not only my choice of university, but also my decision to pursue a double major in Education and Italian, and it only made me more excited to attend in the fall. Hearing about the experiences of other Montclair students, including one who is double majoring in History and Italian, made me feel even more encouraged.

Overall, the experience made me feel more secure because it was a trip organized by my two current Italian teachers, and I loved being able to experience what a lecture may look like. The film we watched prior to the excursion sparked my curiosity, and it was great being able to dissect every little detail with the guidance of a potential future professor. I honestly wish it could have been a bit longer. I really enjoyed it, and I felt like it was an amazing first impression. It definitely helped persuade my friends to apply to Montclair during their senior year.”
— Genesis, 12th grade

For students who have already chosen Montclair State University, the Italian Program can’t wait to welcome them. For those who have decided to pursue their undergraduate education elsewhere, we hope to welcome them back for the new  Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Italian graduate program and other graduate programs. We look forward to hosting WHRHS students again in the near future!