Summer Abroad in Italy 2017
Ahh.... Ferrara, Italy!

We hope each of you made lasting memories in this unique city. From the early sunrises to the late sunsets, Ferrara was home for the last four weeks! 

What an amazing opportunity to learn the history of this special place, practice our burgeoning Italian, embrace local customs, enjoy the delicious cuisine, and step out of our comfort zones.

From taking classes, learning from guided tours, exploring on our own, and making new friends, we have changed, and we take this new outlook with us as we embark on our next chapters. 

Have a safe journey home and enjoy the rest of your summer vacation!

Ciao!
Our Courses 
  Our four weeks included taking courses in either Art History, Psychology, and Education or a combination of these offerings. Classes were held in the beautiful spaces (both indoor and outdoor) provided by the Smiling International School and in various educational sites around town, including local museums and the nearby public library.  

Students in the Children's Literature class completed 20 hours of service learning through the Smiling School's  summer camp program as they joined students ages 6-14 in photography and Chinese lessons and other fun camp activities! 

The Reggio Emilia Approach 
During the group's visit to the 

Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, students participated in an in-depth lecture on the history and philosophy of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education. 


Through our explorations, we realized that so many science, math, and literacy concepts can be covered with aesthetic, open-ended materials and when we construct knowledge together.  
  With a guide and an atelierista (studio artist), students experienced firsthand what it is like to explore and interact with provocations in the center's expansive atelier.      
   Biblioteca Ariostea 
  CIEE's Main Office
  Museo di Schifanoia
Discovering Ferrara
Ferrara is a hidden gem!

There is so much to see and find here, most notably, the Castello Estense, a moated medieval castle, once the home of the Este family. There are also many museums, including the Pinacoteca Nazionale visited by Dr. Flora's class. Dr. Claudia Solacini of CIEE gave the entire group an interactive tour of the beautiful frescoes that still remain at the Museo di Schifanoia. 

Ferrara is also known for its cuisine. Besides the delizioso lasagna, pizza, tagliatelle, cappuccinos, and gelato that we consumed en masse, we also had plenty of chances to enjoy Ferrera's signature dish, the cappellacci di zucca, a tasty  pumpkin ravioli. 
Monday Check-ins over Cappuccinos!

Each Monday afternoon, students had an opportunity to come together over Italian treats to check in with each other and with faculty. 

Whether we were celebrating June birthdays over gelato or discussing events from the prior week, these check-ins were a great opportunity to share, touch base, and get to know each other better.  

  
Road Trip to Florence

Our first group trip was to Florence and all its historical wonder! 

During a walking tour, we visited the lovely

Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Uffizi Gallery, home to breathtaking pieces by such famous Italian artists as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.

Venice!
During the second weekend of our time here, we visited the famous canals of Venice. During our first day in Venice, we had an opportunity to learn more about the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and visit the gorgeous Basilica of Santa Maria dei Frari. The next day, we learned how to navigate the vaporetto, ate more delicious dishes, and had a guided tour of the Palazzo Ducale. Before exploring on our own Sunday, we learned about the Jewish ghettos and visited the Jewish Museum and Synagogue. 

Free time with lifelong friends
During our four weeks, there were also opportunities for students to explore other cities and nearby countries while developing friendships and exploring European culture! Some places visited within Italy were Siena, Ravenna, Rome, Rimini, Cinque Terre, Parma, and Padua. Other countries included Croatia, Spain, France, and Ireland. 

Journey Home
We wish you all success in your futures and hope to keep in touch.  
Remember to continue to be present in each and every moment, either big or small. 

Stammi bene!