Located in Ohio’s capital city of Columbus, Italian Dream Academy (IDA), formerly known as Italia in Ohio, is a private Italian language and cultural school dedicated to adults who want to learn Italian while experiencing the richness of Italian culture beyond the language itself.
Through an immersive approach, IDA combines language instruction with cultural exploration, offering courses and programs focused on Italian history, literature, music, cinema, art, and more.
At the heart of IDA is Rosa Di Grottole, Academic and Creative Director. Born and raised in Basilicata, Italy, Rosa developed a deep curiosity for languages, cultures, and places beyond her own. Her academic and professional journey has taken her through Florence, Paris, Lucca, and, since 2016, the United States, shaping the international perspective she brings to her work as an educator and cultural ambassador.
Rosa joined the Italia in Ohio team in 2017, bringing her expertise in Italian language, culture, and art history to the classroom. In 2021, she partnered with Sergio Simon to co-found IDA, a project rooted in cultural exchange, linguistic excellence, and lifelong learning. Since January 2025, Rosa has been the sole owner of IDA, continuing to expand the Academy’s vision and create meaningful opportunities for students to connect with Italy.
IDA offers a wide range of academic and cultural programs, including immersive language courses, the IDA Book Club (which has explored nearly 30 Italian books and featured conversations with authors from Italy), cultural collaborations with institutions such as the Columbus Museum of Art, and Italian language-immersion study abroad experiences.
Since 2019, IDA programs have brought more than 40 students to Italy and beyond, exploring destinations throughout Tuscany, Southern Italy, Veneto, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Paris and the French Riviera. Each itinerary is personally designed by Rosa to combine language practice, art, history, and authentic cultural experiences, allowing students to discover Italy beyond traditional tourism.
IDA welcomes students from all backgrounds and experience levels. While many cultural events take place in person in Columbus, all language courses and the IDA Book Club are available online, creating a vibrant community of learners from across the United States and beyond, including students from states such as West Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, and many others.
In addition to her work with IDA, Rosa is a full-time Italian Lecturer and Assistant Director of the Italian Language Program at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Rosa’s academic background includes:
- M.A. in Teaching Italian Language and Culture to Foreigners, University Ca’ Foscari, Venice, Italy (2020)
- M.A. in Art History, University of Florence, Italy (2010)
- B.A. in Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies, University of Florence, Italy (2008)
Through IDA, Rosa continues to bring together her expertise in language, art, history, and cultural education to create authentic connections between Italy and the United States.
Learn more about IDA and its programs:
https://italiandreamacademy.com
