MELBOURNE – “It was passion,” answered Alysa Broszczyk, without hesitation, when asked for her secret to achieving a perfect 50/50 for VCE Italian.

The only student in Victoria to receive a 50, Alysa’s level of competence in Italian is truly astonishing, allowing her to communicate her deep sensitivity with both delicacy and directness.

“I try to learn the language the way children do, by repeating what others say and absorbing what I hear,” she explained.

“That’s how my accent has improved. By working this way, I’ve reached a level where I can truly express myself, and for me, that’s the most important thing.”

Her maternal grandparents, who migrated from Abruzzo in the 1960s, were her connection to Italian culture and traditions.

“When I was younger and visited their house, it felt like I was in Italy, even though we spoke in English,” she recalled.

“My nonna would cook a lot of Italian food, including traditional regional recipes.”

At the age of eight, she formally began studying Italian at the Aurora Cultural Association.

It wasn’t love at first sight. Learning a language, especially in the early stages, can be challenging and test one’s patience.

“At first, I didn’t like it very much because I had never spoken it, I had never been to Italy and everything felt new,” Alysa shared.

“I was out of my comfort zone and struggled a bit.”

Eventually, Alysa began taking remote lessons through the Victorian School of Languages (VSL), which allowed her to sit the VCE exam despite her school not offering Italian.

At the VSL, Alysa realised she needed to put in more effort.

Meeting peers who spoke Italian also played a crucial role. It was during that period that Alysa realised she too could reach that level.

“So, following my teachers’ advice, I looked for ways to immerse myself in the language,” she said.

“I started watching YouTube channels in Italian, especially one where a guy translated English songs. It was easier for me because, knowing the song, I could understand the meaning in Italian as well.”

The support and encouragement from her teachers were fundamental to her learning journey.

“I had incredible teachers who always gave me a passion for the language,” she emphasised.

“I particularly remember one teacher who helped me realise I shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes, making me feel safe and supported.”

But there’s no denying that the true drive came from within, as Alysa pushed her own limits, bit by bit.

By confronting challenges, the student came to understand herself better and discovered just how motivated she truly was.

“When there’s something I want to do, and I set myself a goal,” she said, “I do it, without making excuses.

“Scoring 50 in the VCE proved to me that dedication and hard work pay off.”

In the coming months, Alysa will fulfil her dream of visiting Italy for the first time, the final missing piece in this extraordinary journey.

Despite never having been to Italy, she assured that “her passion for the language has only grown over the years”.

“I love the language, and it has become a part of my daily life. Right now, for example, I’m watching the Sanremo Music Festival.”

A broader perspective on life and the world - “a different way of seeing things” - is what one gains from studying a second language.

And while the journey isn’t always easy, Alysa’s story proves the effort is undoubtedly worth it.