02/25/2026
Sadie’s trip to Italy may be over, but the impact and the inspiration will live on. 🇺🇸🤝🇮🇹⚽
“We closed out PH International’s USA–Italy Soccer Exchange Program with a special U.S. Embassy Farewell Reception in Rome, celebrating the meaningful partnerships and friendships that were made along this journey. Our final evening ended in the most perfect way–getting gelato one last time with our friends from Insuperabili, our main program partner in Italy. A sweet ending to an experience I’ll never forget.
This exchange truly changed my life. It centered on connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to providing adaptive athletic opportunities for everyone, while also improving community well-being. Connecting with Lorenza from Insuperabili who shares the same dream I have was incredibly powerful. Though we come from different backgrounds and speak different languages, we're all in this together, united by this important work. The effort we put in today will help shape a more inclusive world tomorrow.
On this trip, I adapted to new cities, embraced the Italian culture, and had once in a lifetime experiences alongside a remarkable group of people from VA and Italy who truly get it and believe in the power of sport to unite and uplift others. I’m so grateful for the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the leaders who guided the way.
Grazie mille to everyone who made this experience possible for me! Thank you to our dedicated and exceptional leaders, Carrie, Executive Director of VCU Center for Sport Leadership and Lauren, International Sports Diplomacy Program Manager with PH International (Project Harmony). Thank you to my amazing VA group made up of individuals representing VCU Center for Sport Leadership, Sportable - Richmond Adaptive Sports & Recreation, and Special Olympics Virginia. Thank you to the U.S. Embassy, Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State, Sports Diplomacy - U.S. Department of State, for organizing and strengthening our ties with Italy. Thank you to Davide, Lorenza, and the whole Insuperabili team, for generously hosting, educating, and connecting us with so many fantastic organizations like Crazy for Football and the Centro Sportivo Italiano while in Italy. And a big shout out to my Jacob’s Chance team and family who supported and encouraged me every step of the way to make great things happen💙❤️
I can’t wait to carry out our Community Impact Project with our awesome local partners, centered on adaptive soccer and inspired by the great work Insuperabili does.
Arrivederci! -Sadie 👋”