Fosca D’Acierno is a cultural consultant who helps Americans understand all things Italian, drawing on her own experiences to better assist clients adjusting to Italy. An Italian-American herself, D’Acierno prides herself on the intersection of her work and her personal identity. Although she had previously only visited Italy as a Child, D’Acierno returned to the country after the completion of her first year in college for a summer in Rome. “Little did I know that those two months would change the trajectory of my life forever,” D’Acierno said on the Ask Fosca website. “Every day I found myself face to face with immense, exceptional, and rarified beauty, even in the most mundane things. When I set foot in Florence, it was love at first sight and something magical happened: I knew it was meant to be.” D’Acierno went on to major in comparative literature at Bryn Mawr College, furthering her education with a Master’s in Italian studies at Brown University and by spending a year studying àroad in Florence. After more time spent traveling back and forth between Italy and the U.S., D’Acierno “took the leap definitively,” moving to Italy and finding work, getting married, starting a family, getting divorced, dating as an adult and finding love once again. At the beginning, D’Acierno found employment in Florence in the music industry. Trained classically, D’Acierno started as a singer/songwriter before working her way to production and management positions at different labels. D’Acierno then abandoned music in favor of becoming program coordinator for Stanford University’s Breyer Center for Overseas Studies in Florence, reflecting on her time abroad to successfully cultivate a curriculum that would best address student needs.
After more than two decades working for Stanford, D’Acierno opted for another career pivot. In April 2023, D’Acierno founded Ask Fosca, where she provides guidance to Americans seeking to move to Italy short-term, long-term and even permanently. Clients can use Ask Fosca to voice their queries and concerns about moving to Italy, and D’Acierno no guides them through issues such as navigating the visa or citizenship processes, achieving language proficiency and/or choosing a school, finding housing and forging connections – both personal and professional – offering expertise and help during a crucial transitional period.
D’Acierno’s vast network of collaborators, partners and professionals paired with her passion for advising others has resulted in the birth of her podcast in English, 15 with Fosca. Similar to Ask Fosca, the podcast celebrates Italian culture in real-time, highlighting D’Acierno’s own stories and lived experiences alongside those of the range of guests that she invites to speak with her. Thus far, 15 with Fosca has welcomed guests such as Italian actor, screenwriter and director Daphne di Cinto, Italian Singer JADE, U.S. expat and art historian Alexandria Brown-Hejazi and art conservator Elizabeth Wicks, a local resident. Upcoming podcast episodes will delve into topics like D’Acierno’s experience balancing motherhood and a career while living abroad, sustainable fashion and the fine arts. With a diverse selection of topics and guests, 15 with Fosca proves itself culturally relevant and interesting to Americans and Italians alike. Keep an eye out for exciting new podcast developments coming later this year.
