Macomb Teen Takes Love of Mandarin Chinese Abroad

When 17-year-old Roma Cusumano was given the opportunity to spend her summer studying in China, there was no question in her mother Julianne’s mind that this was an opportunity not to be missed. 

“We are very, very proud parents,” Julianne Cusumano said. “The sky is the limit. Anything she wants to do will help her in the future. This is a great stepping stone.”

Now a senior in the Utica Community Schools International Baccalaureate program, the Macomb Township teen was awarded one of 650 National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarships for 2011-12.

The merit-based scholarship, worth $30,000 and funded by the U.S. Department of State, covers all program costs including travel, tuition, support and testing for language study, educational and cultural activities, visa fees, orientation, three meals per day and accommodations.

Roma Cusumano started the rigorous application and interview process at the start of her junior year and learned of her acceptance into the program in February.

“It was very intricate,” Julianne Cusumano said of the application process. “It took three to four days to fill out the entire application. Everything was online. Everything from transcripts to teacher recommendations had to be mailed and sealed and she had questions to answer in essay form.”

An in-person interview followed her selection as a semifinalist.

For her “tall Italian daughter” who fell in love with Mandarin Chinese as a high school freshman, the opportunity to study and live in China was a dream come true, Julianne Cusumano said.

“She was so ready for it,” Julianne Cusumano said. “She’s a gutsy of girl of 17 ... and she’s pretty mature for her age. Because the program was through the Department of State and National Security, I never thought there was going to be a safety issue.”

Roma Cusumano left for China on June 29 and will not return to the U.S. until Aug. 15.

Because of the program’s immersion recommendations and China’s own Internet restrictions, the Cusumano family has had only limited contact with their daughter since her departure.

However, if the pictures, videos and posts on Roma Cusumano’s personal blog are any indication of how she is enjoying her Asian adventure, her mother said she could safely say Roma is having the time of her life.

“She is learning about things she would otherwise just be reading about,” Julianne Cusumano said. “High school students are living there and experiencing it.”

This is Roma Cusumano’s second, but longest visit to China. She previously visited the country with her classmates and teachers in the summer between ninth and tenth grades.

While Macomb Patch won't have a chance to talk with Roma Cusumano until she returns, we will continue to follow her travels and be sure to provide tales of her time abroad when she arrives home.