Semester in Italy
Study abroad program in Volterra emphasizes variety in coursework, experiences
10:13 a.m., April 22, 2016--Midway through their semester studying in Volterra, Italy, participants in a first-of-its-kind University of Delaware program have attended talks by the governor of the historic town and its tourism officials, read and analyzed novels about vampires and learned firsthand how the local prison rehabilitates inmates through a theatre program.
The UD students have also come to appreciate the culture of the Tuscany region and its contrasts with America — finding more accessible and affordable mass transit, for example, and smaller food markets offering fewer choices but fresher and more healthful items.
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They’ve traveled to other Italian cities and, especially during spring break, to other parts of Europe, taking in information about history, architecture and art and interacting with both local residents and other groups of students from around the world.
“In the short time that I have been in Italy, we have stumbled upon places and objects that were not included in a guide book,” student Olivia Smith wrote in her blog two weeks into the semester. “This weekend, a few people from the group and I found a really big church that no one knew about. We also found two tunnels that were blocked off that lead to somewhere unknown, an Art Institute and very beautiful pieces of art painted on plywood.
“Every day in Italy is full of surprises and experiences.”
The full-semester interdisciplinary study abroad program combines the efforts of UD’s Institute for Global Studies, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. Students are earning 15 credits in courses that satisfy CAS breadth and/or University general education requirements, as well as those that meet requirements for students considering a minor in business or a major in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.
Ten courses taught by five CAS faculty members, ranging from theatre to criminal justice, and three Lerner courses are offered. In designing the interdisciplinary program, the CAS faculty members transformed courses they teach regularly on the Newark campus to take advantage of the international program’s location.
All participants are living and studying in a modern campus in Volterra, the Scuola Internazionale di Alta Formazione (SIAF).
Constructed in 2006, the American-style campus “blends seamlessly into a walled city and physical landscape rich with landmarks of Etruscan, Roman and Medici Florentine history,” according to Fred DeMicco, ARAMARK Chair in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at UD and a faculty member in the study abroad program.
Students also have benefited from Volterra’s location about an hour from Florence, Pisa and Siena. Student Randy Short described Siena as a beautiful city accessible by an enjoyable bus ride.
“The town of Siena’s architecture is amazing,” he wrote. “When everything looks better than at home, it is hard to take just a few pictures! I appreciate Siena’s commitment to preservation.”
Participants in the program also have described why they chose a semester-long program instead of the more common study abroad programs that are most popular during Winter Session.
“Choosing a full semester program allowed me to really integrate myself into several cultures,” said Alex Frketic, adding that he has especially enjoyed the ability to “naturally” learn a language by immersing himself in daily life in Italy.
“I believe that in order to grow as an individual, you have to challenge yourself and learning Italian did just that,” he said. “Learning Italian has also allowed me to broaden my horizons and open my eyes and not place stereotypes on people. Everyone is different and you have to respect that.”
Article by Ann Manser