Discovering the Advantages of Studying Abroad: An American Mom's Journey

Lisa Diletti, an American mom with fond memories of her time at Georgetown University in the 1970s, found herself questioning the high cost of higher education in the US when it came time for her own children to pursue their degrees. Determined to provide her kids with a transformative university experience, she and her Italian husband Fabio made the bold decision to send all three of their children to universities in Italy, a choice that would ultimately shape the family's future in unexpected ways.

Unlocking the Potential of an International Education

Questioning the Cost of Higher Education in the US

As Lisa Diletti's children approached their teenage years, both she and her husband Fabio began to scrutinize the escalating costs of attending college in the United States. The annual tuition and average room and board fees at Georgetown University, Lisa's alma mater, had skyrocketed to over ,000 by the 2024-2025 school year. Even public universities in their home state of Virginia were approaching ,000 annually, a figure that shocked Fabio, who had grown up in Italy where higher education was significantly more affordable, and student loan debt was virtually unheard of.

Embracing the Italian University Experience

Recognizing the financial burden and the desire for their children to have a truly transformative university experience, Lisa and Fabio encouraged their three kids to consider universities in Italy. Growing up with an Italian father and spending many summers in his hometown, the children were already familiar with the culture, making the transition to studying abroad a natural choice. The prospect of not simply continuing their high school experience in a new location also appealed to the kids, who were eager to immerse themselves in a truly international environment.

Navigating the Italian University System

Two of Lisa's children opted to attend the Florence University of the Arts, where, as Italian citizens, they were able to secure reduced annual tuition of €6,700 (approximately ,300 in 2015). Their youngest child chose Polimoda, a renowned fashion school, with her annual tuition locked in at €11,500 for the full four-year program. Despite the initial emotional difficulty of sending their children so far from home, Lisa and Fabio were determined to provide their kids with the opportunity to gain an international education, both during their university years and in their future careers.

Embracing the Benefits of an Italian Education

The Diletti children's experience in the Italian university system proved to be vastly different from the traditional American model. Rather than spending the first two years taking general education classes and then declaring a major, the Italian system allowed the students to dive into their chosen fields from the very beginning, providing them with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. This approach resonated with the Diletti children, who found it valuable to connect classroom theories to real-world situations.

Exploring the Wonders of Europe

Beyond the academic benefits, the Diletti children also reveled in the opportunity to easily explore other European countries during their time in Italy, an experience that would have been far more challenging had they studied in the United States. They fondly reminisced about attending cultural events, food festivals, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds, all while honing their Italian language skills.

Paving the Way for a New Chapter

The Diletti family's decision to send their children to universities in Italy not only provided a transformative educational experience but also laid the groundwork for their own future. As Lisa and Fabio visited their kids in Florence, they grew increasingly enamored with the city and its vibrant culture. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced their children to return to the US in 2020, the Dilettis seized the opportunity to follow their children's lead, moving to Florence in 2023 after 36 years in the United States.Today, the Diletti family is thriving in their new Italian home, with two of their children already settled back in Florence. As they continue to encourage their third child to join them, the family's journey serves as a testament to the power of an international education and the profound impact it can have on shaping one's personal and professional trajectory.