In June 2012, University of Perugia students Matteo Agostinelli and Giovanna Di Matteo met and swiftly fell in love at Tandem, an Umbra-sponsored event at which American and Italian students trade languages. At tonight's Tandem, the couple will celebrate their first anniversary. Read Giovanna's recollection of their meeting one year ago.
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Umbra's popular Tandem events allow Italian and American students to practice languages.[/caption]
Once upon a time, a friend of mine, Manuela, called me and asked me to go with her to a Tandem organized by the Umbra Institute. I had never heard of it, but I was interested and had nothing to do so decided to join. I could not imagine how important that easy decision on that common day would be.
We arrived at 19:30. I was a little bit embarrassed because it was my first time there, and I did not know how to behave. Soon I discovered that it was a very informal situation. A seat was assigned to me, and I was acquainted with two American girls and an American guy. At the same table, there was an Italian guy named Matteo. At the beginning, I did not attach importance to him. I was concentrated on the American girls. It was fun, I spoke a lot with them. They could speak quite good Italian — I enjoyed the conversation!
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Matteo Agostinelli and Giovanna Di Matteo met at Tandem in June 2012 (photo courtesy/Agostinelli).[/caption]
After a while, the Italian guy started to speak with me. I thought he was quite strange but at the same time pleasant and funny. He tickled my fancy, but in that moment I could not understand why! At the end of the Tandem we rattled on. He was amusing, but I don't remember what we spoke about. I can just remember a friend of his was speaking with Manuela about the Italian graduate system, but I was not involved in the conversation because of that curious guy.
Matteo asked me about my summer plans. I said that unfortunately I had to stay in Perugia the whole summer because of a job with the university. I was quite sad because all my friends went home during the summer holidays and I had to be alone. At the beginning I thought he was joking when he said that he wanted to stay in Perugia too, so maybe we could spend together the summer — now I know that it was true. He stayed with me during the summer, and we are together even now -- and maybe we will still be for a long time!
Today's Tandem will be at 7:30 p.m. at il Birraio. Come meet new friends (and even fall in love) while practicing your language skills. Don't forget to wish Matteo and Giovanna a "buon anniversario!"
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