ISTITUTO MONDO ITALIANO - Centro di cultura italiana 7604 Charleston Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

"I took the Pasta 101 class, and couldn't be more elated with the classroom experience. I've been trying to make my own pasta at home for a while now, but could not figure out what I was doing wrong. I'm so glad I took this class, because I figured out my problem and now have been making homemade pasta like a pro! Viviana is knowledgeable, friendly, and humorous! Her class is full of information about pasta making and about Italy. I learned so much and will definitely be coming back for more classes!"

"Viviana hosted my middle school Cultures Club students for a pasta making class this past week. As a teacher, I am always trying to find different activities to expose the students to in regards to different cultures and languages and the pasta class did not disappoint. It was easy enough for a large group to follow along, but challenging enough that they had to work together. Viviana kept the students on their toes by giving interesting historical facts throughout the cooking class and asking them questions, such as: "Where do tomatoes originate?" Each table had to consult with their group and come up with an answer they all agreed upon which they found fun and interactive. Before we even got on the bus, they asked when we were coming back!"

"I recently participated in the Autobiographical Writing Workshop. The workshop did not disappoint. I found new meaningful personal connections and ways to reconnect to my own Italian self. The writing itself helped me reconnect to parts of my life that were still alive but mainly in my subconscious. Thinking and writing about my Italian past helped me get in touch with what I was before I became American. Somehow, I wrote the most about the “good stuff”, those memories that are dear to me and draw me back to Italy every year and, now that I’m retired, to spend more and more time in Italy. But talking with my peers in the workshop also reminded me of why I moved to the U.S. more than forty years ago - the feeling that in Italy there was too much cynicism and little hope in the future. What would my life have looked like if I stayed in Italy? Would I have been able to grow professionally, to get advanced degrees that allowed me to become financially independent within a few years? Talking and writing about all of this is what made the workshop’s experience invaluable, Listening to the other participants’ stories gave me a new perspective on how Americans of Italian descent experienced their Italianess as Americans of first and second generation. Rita is a skilled facilitator and enriched the experience with songs that made us think and gave us an opportunity to look at the emigrant experience in new ways. I loved the songs! One suggestions for the next series of workshops: find a way to improve the audio when listening to the songs. I had to listen to them on my own as most times it was very hard to understand the lyrics and hearing the music. If that is not possible, then send the link to the song together with the lyrics ahead of time and ask the participant to listen to them on their own prior to the meeting. Viviana’s presence was always felt. She coordinated and was a prompt problem solver. She also contributed to our discussion at times even though she was not technically a participant. I valued her contributions."

"Had an absolute blast at the pasta making class for Mother’s Day with my mom! Easy to follow along with and learned so much. I have a tree nut allergy & Viviana was super accommodating of this- I am so grateful because I know it can be a pain. Everything was delicious. We will absolutely be back!"