From Italian Studies to Global Leadership: Nina Zepcan’s Journey as a McCall MacBain Scholar
How studying Italian at SoLL shaped an alumna’s path to one of the world’s most prestigious scholarships.
Words by Matt Absalom and Nina Zepcan
Introduction
Nina Zepcan’s academic journey is a testament to the transformative power of language and culture. As an alumna of Italian Studies and Linguistics within the School of Languages and Linguistics (SoLL), Nina has recently been awarded the prestigious McCall MacBain Scholarship which recognises leadership, community engagement, and academic excellence. We spoke with Nina about her experiences in SoLL, the impact of studying Italian, and how these shaped her path toward this remarkable achievement.
- The McCall MacBain Scholar
You’ve been away now for a few months, how’s it all going? What’s been most surprising for you so far?
Apart from a hasty start to the snow in early November, which my Aussie mind fails to compute, the most surprising thing has been how quickly I’ve taken to Montréal. I see pockets of Melbourne in the streets and on restaurant menus, ‘La Petite-Patrie’ or ‘Little Italy’ is exactly like our much-loved Carlton and Lygon Street, only without Brunetti Classico. Just the other day, I tried an ‘amatriciana col nori’, which reminded me so much of myself and my Italo-fusion familiarity in Melbourne that I started feeling a little less homesick. This is the unfortunate downside of being so far away from home, but I feel lucky and privileged that this side of the world has found space for one more Melburnian.
- From Italian Studies to McCall MacBain Scholar
Your journey from studying Italian at SoLL to becoming a McCall MacBain Scholar is inspiring. How did your time in Italian Studies shape the values or skills that helped you reach this milestone?
Studying Italian made me realise that university is more than just the content taught week in, week out. In fact, socialising with your peers outside the classroom is placed just as highly in importance as mastering the subjunctive grammar rules. The friendships I made in my undergrad all came from Italian and to this day they remain inspirational pillars in how I approach coursework and study. Being surrounded so many disciplines, but having Italian unite us all, deep down, I think, pushed me to try and discipline jump in my current master’s degree. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had contact with such a wide spectrum of personalities. It meant my perspective on university was never only rooted in my majors but through my friends, allowed me to touch science, politics, music, biomedicine, even a little French!
- Language as a Lens
Learning a language often changes how we see the world. Did studying Italian alter your perspective on culture, identity, or even your own sense of belonging?
Growing up, I had become accustomed to being the first Bosnian-Australian people met. My parents never spoke about the war that had shaped our voyage to Australia, meaning my understanding of my own existence was very limited. So, I found solace in the friendships I formed with Italian peers. They welcomed me with open arms, without prying into my origins or demanding explanations of cultural differences. And honestly, that was a relief. I never answered questions about where I came from, and it was easier to just blend in. This led me to start learning Italian, wanting so badly to just respond “Yes, I’m from Italy” when people assumed my complexion, eye colour and hair colour fit the stereotype. As an adult, I understand the importance of asking the tough questions. I got better at asking my parents about their past, their refugee-to-citizen journey and in doing so, I also uncovered questions about myself and what it means to be a first-generation migrant in Australia. Italian helped me decide who I wanted to become but also who was there all along underneath.
- Memorable Moments
Was there a particular class, project, or interaction during your time in SoLL that left a lasting impression on you – and why?
Of the three-and-a-half years completing Italian in SoLL, each year is marked with its own memory. Our online Zoom rendition of ‘Non Tutti I Ladri Vengono Per Nuocere’ stands out for first year, followed by Antigone’s mock trial in second year and finally, creating all sorts of chaos in Dante’s Inferno by my third and final year. Even during summer, learning about concepts like ‘terroir’ in ‘A Taste of Europe’ remains relevant. And you can bet that when I finally make it to Palermo, I’ll be travelling with ‘Il Gattopardo’ in hand. Other than the people and the language, these cultural impressions are ones I will carry with me no matter where I go.
- Bridging Disciplines
Italian Studies often intersects with other bodies of knowledge such as history, art, and philosophy. How did these connections influence your academic or personal growth?
SoLL did a great job of encouraging these connections between bodies of knowledge, but never did my classes hand these connections to students directly. This is something I grew to appreciate coming out of Italian and Linguistics because it allowed me to engage in my own creativity and critical thinking. So much so, it’s what has fuelled me to make the link between information science, language and generative AI in my current master’s project.
- Community and Collaboration
SoLL is known for its vibrant community. How did collaboration with peers and staff in Italian Studies contribute to your development as a scholar and leader?
Honestly, the group work in SoLL and, particularly in Italian, helped me recognise the leadership skills I already possessed and those I still needed to develop. The beauty with these kinds of projects is that I could always team up with friends and experiment with something new in a low-stakes environment. Having a go and paying it forward are leadership qualities I never received hard and fast instruction on but rather, Italian allowed me to uncover them through trial and error.
- Advice for Future Students
What would you say to current or prospective students who are considering Italian Studies but wonder how it might impact their future opportunities?
When I first picked up Italian, I also had the fear of what good will this bring for my future. However, I had a calling, some kind of gut feeling that was telling me to just try it out. I am forever grateful to the 13-year-old girl that chose to trust her gut. My advice reflects this experience in that if someone reading this is unsure about Italian Studies, but for some reason can’t stop thinking about it, there is something calling you to give it a go. It doesn’t always need to come back to directly impact your future opportunities. But if it does impact your curiosity in the here and now, then I say, ‘why not!’.
Nina’s story highlights how studying languages is not just about mastering grammar or vocabulary; it’s about opening doors to new perspectives, communities, and opportunities. Her success as a McCall MacBain Scholar underscores the value of interdisciplinary learning and the strong foundation provided by SoLL. We can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next!
