Scholarship "Un anno all'estero" (A year abroad) awarded through the Credito Valtellinese Group

Sondrio, June 14, 2004 - The scholarship award ceremony 'A year abroad', which is sponsored by the Credito Valtellinese Group, in association with Intercultura, was held today inside Palazzo Sertoli dance hall, in Sondrio. Established 1955, Intercultura is a partner of major organizations for intercultural exchanges in the world, such as 'AFS Intercultural Programs', based in New York, and 'EFIL', which is based in Brussels.

The grant has now been given for ten years to students aged between 14 and 16, who are also Bankaperta Junior account holders with the Credito Valtellinese Group member banks (Credito Valtellinese, Credito Artigiano). The grant allows the students to spend a period of residence abroad. The destination can be chosen among a number of countries available in Europe and the rest of the world. During their period of foreign residence all students attend a local high school, which contributes towards their final school results. In September 2003, the initiative was advertised by mail, in the local press, in a special section of the Group's website and by the Intercultura employees, who have been informing the students in the local schools.

Silvia Casalini, 17-year old student from Valdidentro, Sondrio, has been awarded the scholarship. She will spend one year in Huntsville Texas, USA.
The scholarship has been awarded to Silvia by deputy General Manager of Credito Valtellinese Franco Sala, who congratulated the young student on her school career and said all best wishes for the future from the Credito Valtellinese banking Group.
The scholarship award ceremony was attended by the Intercultura regional co-ordinator Concetta Giamminola Buglisi, a voluntary worker of the local centre in Sondrio, Wladia Scherini, the Superintendent for School Support Services of the local centre in Sondrio, Margherita Cordatelli, as well as by the Casalini family.
As the Year Abroad is a unique opportunity for the students to improve their school results, make intercultural experiences and widen personal horizons, the Credito Valtellinese Group is launching the same project also for next year.