ÌìÑÄÉçÇø¹ÙÍø

While studying abroad as part of the Summer Study in Sorrento, Italy, program conducted by the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University, two ÌìÑÄÉçÇø¹ÙÍø seniors served internships with Positano News, an online newspaper serving the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula

Senior journalism majors Marnique Olivieri-Panepento of Orchard Park, New York, and Elizabeth Egan of Fairport, New York, received their internship placements through Sant’Anna Institute, which hosts students in the Summer Study in Sorrento program.

Olivieri-Panepento and Egan (second and third from right, respectively, in the accompanying photo) took on new adventures and learned to adapt to the Italian journalistic process and culture over their five-week-long internships.

"Positano News expects its interns to become bold journalists, to never stop asking questions. Our boss would tell us, 'Ask, ask, ask. This is journalism. You ask and take pictures. You are journalists.' Due to the language barrier, we had to listen differently and process what’s being said carefully. Though different countries around the world define journalism differently, there is a shared commitment to the undeniable work ethic at the root of all journalists."

Egan was just as grateful for the internship adventure.

"I was excited going into this opportunity, but it has surpassed all my expectations. While our boss’s startled face when he learned we didn’t speak Italian on the first day left me pretty nervous, my little bit of Italian, his little bit of English and a lot of hand gestures allowed us to quickly develop our own system of communication.

"Following our boss blindly onto a fishing boat in Positano, pushing into a private tour of an ancient Roman Villa, crashing two weddings, and having locals shower us with free espresso and limoncello all in the name of journalism are just a few of the many incredible experiences I will never forget from this internship. More importantly, the experience has taught me important lessons about listening, boldness in interviewing, and that the key to being a good journalist is walking." 

At the end of the five weeks, Egan and Olivieri-Panepento presented at the Sant’Anna institute and summarized their internship experience through an e-portfolio for other interns, staff and Director Cinque.

Olivieri-Panepento and Egan thanked professors at the Jandoli School who prepared them for their internships with knowledge and encouragement.