The Cupertino Courier

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UC student from Cupertino wins Italian trip of a lifetime

By ANNE WARD ERNST

Passport complications may have slowed Michael Govaerts, but that didn't stop him from taking off on a 10-day trip to Italy.

The Cupertino resident was among 45 students chosen from a pool of more than 600 Italian-American college students who received "The Gift of Discovery." It is an educational and cultural program sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation and includes an all-expenses paid trip to Italy.

Govaerts, 21, a student at University of California-Berkeley, graduated from St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Kennedy Middle School and Stevens Creek Elementary.

Of this, his first trip to Italy, he says, "The incredible blend of antiquity and modernity is awe-inspiring. Seeing medieval architecture, only to find out it contains modern apartments, is something that I could never experience in the States."

The program, now in its sixth year, is designed to strengthen the bond of Italian-Americans to the country, culture and heritage of Italy.

Govaert's father, Cliff, lives in Cupertino, as does his mother, Melody Grandell. Grandell says, "I think it's a wonderful opportunity. I think it should be more highly publicized so other people have the same opportunity. It's quite an opportunity. He's having the time of his life."

The trip includes a bike trip around the ancient walled city of Lucca; a tour of the marble quarries of Massa Carrara, where Michelangelo sculpted his statue of "David"; a tour of the quarry's art and sculpture studios; a tour of the Pistoian countryside with an excursion to several olive oil mills; a stop at the thermal springs in Montecatini; a visit to an Arezzo art restoration laboratory; and visits to fashion companies and wine factories. Students will also learn how to make handmade pizza and pasta at La Scuola Albergiera di Pistoia.

"Pisa, Lucca and Firenze were all very incredible, and the people here are very courteous and encouraging of my broken Italian," Govaerts says.

"Such warmth and kindness are further inspiration to obtain greater proficiency in the language, which I hope to do upon my return."

The trip is valued at more than $2,000 and is financed by NIAF, a nonprofit Washington, D.C.-based organization.

The program is open to enrolled college students between the ages of 18 and 23. They must write an essay and submit two recommendations from either a teacher, school official, political or community leader.

For more information about NIAF or the Gift of Discovery, go to www.niaf.org.