On-site staff for Reggio Emilia, Italy

Specialty programs have an on-site Resident Director (RD) who is responsible for the USAC office abroad and overall operations of the program, including securing appropriate student housing, hiring top-level faculty, organizing field trips and optional tours, and overseeing your general well-being.

The RD and Program Assistant meets the group flight at the airport, provide on-site orientation, oversee your academic affairs, organize activities, and provide valuable assistance and resources.

Meet the Resident Director

The Reggio Emilia RD is Simona Lai. Simona has degrees in Foreign Languages for Linguistic and Cultural Mediation, a Master’s degree in Foreign Language for International Communication, and advanced graduate certification in Foreign Language Teaching.

Interim Resident Director

A native of Sardinia, Italy, Reggio Emilia interim Resident Director Elena Arcai has years of experience in international education, including serving as a USAC Program Assistant for Reggio Emilia.

Elena holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in European Languages, Cultures and Communication from UNIMORE (Modena and Reggio), and she also studied linguistics and Spanish during a study abroad experience in Almería, Spain. She speaks English, Italian, and Spanish.

Program Assistant

Sara Attianese is the Program Assistant for the Reggio Emilia program. After a decade working as a Human Resources and administrative assistant, she left to travel through Chile and Mexico before joining USAC.

She is passionate about causes that promote respect and equality, and human and animal rights. She looks forward to working with USAC Reggio Emilia students.