Franca Lupo Was born in Orvieto, Italy. She studied literature at the University of Catania and is fluent in English. Franca worked as lecturer at The University of Ontario, Canada and as Guest Assistant at Enfap in Siracusa before joining Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences as Student Service coordinator for LINGUAVIVA programs in 2005, organising extra-curricular and cultural activities for students, and building links into the community through the volunteer work program, then as office administrator at MCAS working with API and SAI two study Abroad agencies in the USA. From 2011/2015, she held the position of Office Manager at Arcadia University in Siracusa. She has been involved with study abroad programs for more than 15 years in Syracuse.
What is your favorite travel memory?
It was in 2008 when I went to Tunisia with a group of students from Arcadia University during the spring break. It was a great experience.
This experience really enriched us so much because it made us touch the true Tunisian culture. We went to visit archaeological sites and towns, and we had a cultural exchange with students belonging to Sousse Univerity, but the best day we had together with the students was when we went to the home of a Tunisian family; they invited us to have lunch with them, and although they were really not well-off, they hurried us with food and drinks, all sitting together eating and telling us about our life experiences.
At the end of the lunch, they sang for us the typical Tunisian songs. The whole family could play and sing. It was an unforgettable journey for all of us.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I started to work in the field of study abroad 15 years ago. I was an employee of Arcadia University. Four years ago, Arcadia decided to close the study abroad center in Siracusa, and after 15 years of experience, I decided to open my international school.
During those 15 years spent in Study Abroad Programs (Internship, Semester programs, Faculty-led programs, Fall/Spring/Summer programs, and more), I gained a huge experience in every field, I held various roles from student services, office managers, programs coordinator, and I realized that I could use all my experience and start an adventure of my own. I've learned over the years what works and what doesn't work in the various programs, and all this has led me to create and grow my school.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
In 15 years of career, I met hundreds of students. Many of them returned to visit me, telling me that, to have the chance to do a Study Abroad program in Syracuse, it was for them the most beautiful experience of their life, because Sicily and Syracuse, in particular, is full of history, culture and the food is fantastic.
But first of all, because they felt welcomed and part of the community.
During their studying Abroad experience, we involved the students to learn something about the Sicilian culture, I'm the first person that teaches them the way to cook in a Sicilian way. The Sicilian cooking class is one of the favorite activities that students do.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
All of them, mainly we offer Custom and Faculty-led programs. Scie Center offers students and teachers who want to come to Sicily and have a unique experience both logistic and specialized support for Custom and Faculty-led programs for Universities, Schools and Colleges. The Scie team has many years of experience in the Study Abroad field, and this makes them reliable partners and experts in organizing any type of program. In 15 years of experience, they have created an important network with the local community, which allows them to offer students a unique and extraordinary experience here in Syracuse. Students will have the opportunity to learn real Sicilian traditions and breathe the history and culture of the island.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our goal is to give students, first of all, the best Study Abroad experience of all. My staff and professors are very attentive to the needs of the students and the teachers who accompany them.
We want students to feel welcomed and followed during their experience abroad, but at the same time, we give them the tools to become independent in a country that is not theirs. One of our goals is to make students citizens of the world, to learn them that every culture, even if different from theirs, can enrich you and make you grow.
My staff is so attentive to small things since the students arrive at Catania airport; they are welcomed and accompanied to the lodgings. We have agreements with fantastic facilities, where students have all kinds of services.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
The biggest factor in being a successful company is the experience that you gain over the years, then passion and professionalism.
The dedication to this work has made Scie Center unique in designing and implementing academic and non-academic programs for any type of need. As I said, the passion and complete dedication to this work means that the students feel welcome and supported 24 hours a day, confident that any problem will be addressed and solved by an efficient and professional staff.
Scie Center excels in organizing and creating programs for any type of market, due to its 15 years of experience in the field of Study Abroad.
