"This semester, I interned at Libreria Griot, a bookstore in Trastevere specializing in texts on the African and Middle Eastern diasporas. At the bookstore, I designed posters and infographics for upcoming events, uploaded events on their social media and website, unpacked books, recorded their inventory on their website, set up the store for events and language lessons, and priced items. I also got to work at the front of the store.

I decided to do an internship because I wanted to feel as if I was contributing something to the city of Rome outside of being a student. I was able to break away from the comforts of the program and become familiar with a place in the city that was all my own. I wanted to learn more about Italian work culture and become further acquainted with Italians. This was one of my primary goals for this internship: develop a lasting relationship with my supervisor and feel comfortable in a professional environment. I was able to accomplish both things. 

Both Giulia and Cecilia were incredibly welcoming and friendly, both eager to talk to me and teach me about the bookstore. I was always treated as an equal and never as an ignorant American or young student. I hope I will stay in touch with them even after I leave Rome. 

My experience at Griot helped me get the internship I will be doing over the summer. Employers in the U.S were very impressed that I was doing an internship while abroad and very enthusiastic about independent bookstores." 

(R.G., Spring 2024)

"Libreria Griot is a book store in Trastevere that aims to promote the literary productions of transnational cultures. In addition to selling a variety of literature, such as African based essays or Middle Eastern romance novels, the Libreria also serves as a language school and a place for

book meetings, presentations, and events. [...] I set up book listings on their website for sales, I created graphics and advertising posts for events, I helped organize books and orders for shipping, and I have set up pricing spreadsheets for book orders and language school payments.

Furthermore, by my own choice, my sponsor Giulia spoke to me primarily in Italian - even though her English is very sharp - so that I could better my comprehension and speaking. The opportunity to become involved in a workplace in Rome is to be appreciated through effort and flexibility. While Giulia was always extremely helpful and understanding about any school work or trips that I had planned, it is still necessary to communicate clearly about times you can or can not go, and provide an effort to find time during the week to get involved, as the most rewarding parts of the experience stem from the involvement and time spent on site. 

I recommend an internship to anyone that is curious about Italian culture or interested in strengthening their language skills; it is an experience that I enjoyed thoroughly and would not have had the chance to do otherwise."

(L.T., Spring 2023)