I would like to preface by stating that this blog post will not even begin to bring justice to the amazing weekend we spent this past weekend in Positano and Capri. Twenty-two out of the twenty-four girls in our group decided to partake in the program sponsored optional field trip to Positano, and it was by far one of the best weekends I have had. We arrived in Positano Friday around 11 in the morning, eager to get to the beach we changed right away into our swim suits and we were lucky enough to have a hotel on the beach where all we had to do was walk outside and be on the beach. We spent hours in the ocean enjoying the beautiful view we had of Positano. Although the waters were a clear blue, using goggles enhanced the beauty and gave us the opportunity to explore the waters we were swimming in. That night the whole group got together to enjoy a great group dinner at the hotel overlooking the ocean.

 
Saturday morning we woke up early to travel to Capri via the ferry. When we arrived to Capri we immediately got on private boats that took us on a tour around the Island and to the Blue Grotto, which was amazing. At lunch in Capri we had a “War Eagle” moment as we ran into the head of the Auburn University Medical Clinic.

 

The last night some of us decided to stay up for a late night swim in the Mediterranean while others opted to wake up early to be kayaking for the sunrise. This was such an amazing weekend; I could not have imagined it going any better. While the summer is winding down I am honored I have had the opportunity to spend it in this beautiful country with such an amazing group of women.
By: Emily Jennings
 

The Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy Program has equipped us with everything we need for the best study abroad experience possible. One major asset they have given to us is the staff. Every lecturer and director has impacted all of us in deeply positive ways. As beneficiaries of their wisdom and support, we students do our best to show them our appreciation.
This week our group shed some thanks on our Program Director Roberta Londi. Since Roberta and her husband Stefano are expecting their first child, a girl, in October, we organized a baby shower for her. Baby showers are not an Italian custom, so we attempted to make Roberta’s as authentic as possible. To start the festivities we played a few games. First, each of us cut string to a length we estimated Roberta’s pregnant stomach to be. It was very silly, but lots of fun! Next, we asked Roberta a series of baby-related questions that her husband had already answered. She first guessed Stefano’s answers and then gave her own. It was funny to hear what she thought Stefano had said! Then we had Roberta open all the gifts we had gotten her. She “oohed” and “ahhed” at each present with gratitude. Finally, we headed to the kitchen where we had decorated with pink tablecloths and posters. Each of us had helped make finger foods and we even had a stroller-shaped cake!
We used this baby shower as a unique way to show Roberta how thankful we are for her. She means a lot to each of us, and we hope she felt that through this shower for her.
By: Caroline Given

 

Italy has so much to offer for anyone with a major in the College of Human Sciences. There is the latest fashion, beautiful art, lavish hotels, and delicious food. However, aside from eating the endless pasta and pizza, we have had few field trips related to my nutrition major. So when I found out we had a whole day in Rome devoted to food, hunger, and healthy living, I was more than excited.
Our group began the day by visiting the Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to insure that people have access to high-quality food to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. We had a short presentation and learned the shocking statistic that over 870 million people struggle with food insecurity. The visit illustrated that hunger is a problem but made me thankful that there are organizations such as FAO that are trying to find a solution.
Following our visit to FAO, we went to Eataly for a lunch break. The best way to describe Eataly is the “Disney World of Italian food.” Eataly offers quality products that are all from different areas of Italy. We were all in awe when we walked through the doors. There was fresh produce, meat, and gelato galore! We all divided and enjoyed our delicious lunches and even made a few purchases to take back to the states.
After lunch, we loaded the bus and headed to Caritas. Caritas is a homeless shelter in Rome that provides a hot dinner to over 500 people daily. As a way to give back to Rome and Italy, we volunteered to serve the meal for the night. Some of us wore hairnets and gloves and placed food on plates while others waited tables and talked as best we could with the people. We even had a few girls pass out towels and razors in the dormitory where some people stay.
For the past three months, we have been living the dream and adventuring all through Europe. We have everything we need, plus more, all at our fingertips. Serving at the shelter helped put things back into perspective and to not take even the littlest things for granted. The experience reminded me that life is not all about me and made me even more grateful for the amazing opportunity I have been given to study abroad this summer.

By: Abby Fox

Last week we had an exciting array of activities to enjoy both in Ariccia and outside. We had class on Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesday we went to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters, which is located in Rome. It was fascinating to hear them tell us about the variety of food related problems our planet faces. I had no idea that lack of food and over consumption of food are both categorized as “malnutrition”. I had my expert and reminder on an aspect of FAO that I was not aware of before I began to research. Auburn University actually works closely with FAO in the development of the Universities Fighting Hunger movement. Auburn is the leading University in the fight on hunger in the world. I was amazed that my wonderful university is reaching to make such an impact on the world. Wednesday night we celebrated the fourth of July because we were traveling on the fourth. We cooked hamburgers, had watermelon, and all dressed up in our Red, White, and Blue. It was  wonderful being able to celebrate even though we weren’t home this year. On Thursday afternoon, the fourth of July, all of us headed to Cinque Terre for our optional weekend trip. We arrived in the afternoon and had a group dinner that evening. I had so much fun being able to travel with my classmates for a weekend. On Saturday, the majority of us chose to go on a tour to see the colorful houses and explore the towns that make up Cinque Terre. The whole experience was beautiful and I hope to be able to return some day in the future. Overall the last week has been eventful and memorable for all of us!
Written by: Carolyn Fester
View of the colorful houses in Cinqueterre
Rock beach in Cinqueterre
 
 
 
 
 

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to Cinque Terre (which means five lands) for one of our optional field trips. I am so glad that I opted to go. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The six-hour bus ride was well worth every second we were able to spend there. Thursday night we had group dinner at an incredible local restaurant near our hostel. Friday we woke up early and began our optional hike to the first island, Monterosso al Mare. It was pretty intense but the view was a perfect distraction from our sore legs. We spent most of the afternoon hiking and ended that afternoon going for a swim in the crystal blue waters and jumping off the rocks into the ocean. We had dinner in Monterosso al Mare before we made our way back to our hostel. Saturday was another optional day of hiking, which most of us took part in. We started at the furthest town and hiked back. We stopped on each of the five lands, exploring and taking in all the incredible sights. Once we finished at the third land some of the group took the train back and some of the group continued onto the fourth, Vernazza, via hiking a trail through a national park. It was the hardest hike of the weekend but I would do it all over again. It was incredible. The weather was perfect, the view was breathtaking and the experience in general was life changing. We finally made it to the fourth town, where we cooled off in the ocean, had some seafood for dinner and made our way back to the hostel for much needed showers and relaxing! Overall, Cinque Terre was incredible and by far my favorite place I have been fortunate enough to visit so far. I would go back in a heartbeat!
 
The first night in Levanto

Hiking day one!Hiking day two!
 
Written By: Shelby Edwards

 Happy Independence Day America!

During the past nine weeks in Italy, we have learned a lot about the Italian culture and history. We have dived into how they eat, live, and interact with one another. As we approach the most important holiday of American history, we are beginning to miss certain things about America. Spending three months in Italy has opened our eyes to the American conveniences that we otherwise take for granted. I know that we will never take for granted free bathrooms, free refills, free water, ice, or air conditioning ever again. However, I think that this study abroad program is a very important life lesson. We learn that people live differently all around the world. For example, Italians lead a relaxed lifestyle compared to the hustle and bustle of Americans. Restaurants are not worried about the turnover rate, instead, they want you to sit and enjoy your meal for hours. I believe that because of our trip, we will have an advantage over other job applicants when entering into the real world. We will have experiences and certain views of the world that not everyone is fortunate to have.

Speaking of different ways to live, this week we had the privilege to serve the homeless at Caritas in Rome. Italy has given us so much this summer and has taught us more than we will ever learn. So it is important for us to give back to Italy. Serving the homeless was a really humbling experience. As I was serving them their last meal of the day, I thought to myself, “Here we are spending thousands of dollars to study in Italy, while these people have nothing”. Although it was difficult seeing these people struggle, everyone really enjoyed serving them and making a difference in their lives.

Because we are traveling to Cinque Terre today. We decided to have our American Fourth of July cookout last night. We cooked hamburgers, corn, devilled eggs, oven roasted potatoes, chips, watermelon, pineapple, and Nutella pies. It was DELICIOUS!

So here’s to you America, adorned in our rosso, bianco, and blu. Happy 4th of July!

Kitchen Crew at Caritas the homeless shelter. Caitlin Page, Kathryn Davis, Leslie Kimball, Shelby Edwards, and Cinzia Bracalente

Fourth of July Cookout

“American” Hamburgers

Ciao!

Written by: Kathryn Davis

 

It’s hard to believe that we started Week 9 this week, and it’s the beginning of July. It’s truly starting to feel like I live here, in Ariccia, Italy. At the beginning of the second half of our program, after break, students who have had friends previously attend this program described this half as us “gearing up to go home”. This put a bad taste in my mouth, and began to discourage me. I didn’t think I was ready to “gear up” or even think about home, because once you start you can never stop thinking about it. I never thought I would have to deal with homesickness abroad in Italy. I chose this to fill my summer, and I chose this program for very specific reasons. So, why would I ever doubt myself while here? I have discovered that no one understands the struggles one faces while abroad, unless you have been abroad, especially as a college student. Each girl here in the Joseph S. Bruno program chose to study here in Italy for numerous reasons, personally I chose it because I am an Apparel Design major in the College of Human Sciences and we base our studies on all subjects within that college here. Also, I am the first student from a different university, the University of Alabama – Auburn’s rival. However, I have never felt for a second that I was on the outside or different from the rest of the girls. Through the struggles, the up and downs of being abroad, I can truly say I couldn’t have not done without these 24 girls that I’m sharing this experience with. We come from all different backgrounds with different interests, but we all came here to experience something spectacular and it shows that that has been a success. I’m blessed to have experienced it with all of them.
By: Elle Darby
 

For this study abroad program we have the opportunity to travel to so many great places as a group, but was also have the chance to go wherever we would like on the weekends, which is really nice compared to other study abroad programs.  One weekend a group of us decided we wanted to do something different besides going to another well-known big city, so we went to Tuscany.  We asked Roberta to help us find somewhere and she found this great place called Ranch Ricavo.  When we first pulled up to the ranch we saw these three dogs run up to the car so happy to see someone.  I knew this was going to be a great trip right from that very moment.  Silvia and Marco, the owners of the ranch, then introduced us to everyone else who worked there.  It was late, so after that we got dinner. Their food was the best I had ever had.  The next morning we got up super early because we were so excited to play with all the dogs, ride the horses and to just hang out with everyone there.  Having to leave this place was so hard to do because it was so great, so on our way home we decided that we had to go back for another weekend trip before we came back to America.  So a group of us went back for a second trip this past weekend and it felt like we were all at home.  The people and even the animals there are so personable, nice and fun to be around.  Having to leave a second time was even harder than the first because I knew that I would probably never come back and if I do it will be a long time.  Being able to go wherever we would like to on the weekends is one of the reasons I chose this study abroad program and because of that I found this great place that has changed my life forever and for that I am grateful.

 

 

 
By: Avery Carreker

Eight weeks have passed since I arrived in Europe. I cannot believe I am 2/3^rd of the way through this incredible experience. Time is very precious and valuable. One thing I have loved is the teaching process this program offers. The passion each lecturer has draws me into the topic they teach. I feel each lecture is personable and they do a great job of explaining in depth about a broad topic in such a short period of time.

I love how the lectures correlate to our field trips because we are not only learning by PowerPoint and lectures but also getting the personal experience through the planned field trips we go on each week. Though the weekdays are long hours, I feel I am able to understand more of the culture where I live and learn stories about the history many of these places hold. I have learned not to take so many things for granted, and to be aware of my surroundings because I do not see these places everyday.
I would describe the weekends during this program as discovering subconscious thoughts and feelings. Before coming to Europe I had my own personal thoughts and beliefs of Europe. Though some have stayed the same, other I have learned to adjust and to simply embrace.
One place I have absolutely fallen in love with since my time here in Italy is a place in Tuscany called Ranch Ricavo. Each individual that works there have all become a part of my life. Their love and passion for their work and one another is contagious. Ranch Ricavo is a place I have found where I can be perfectly content in any given situation. From the people, to the food, to the animals, and the scenery, you get the complete package. I have never found a place that has impacted me so much in so little time. I will continue to keep in touch with the people I have met on the ranch in hopes that I will return one day.

If I can sum up my experience in Europe so far in five points, they would be:
Breathtaking views
Adventurous
Delicious food
Genuine people
Unforgettable

Ciao!
Written by: Olivia Carmichael

Being halfway through this amazing experience in Italy, I have been thinking in depth about which sites and cities have moved me the most. We have been to so many places and seen so many sites, yet after returning from midterm break, I have concluded that Florence is my favorite city. This is due to the fact that I revisited Florence with my family and was still captivated by the city itself. Florence is not only the birthplace of the Renaissance, but a manageable and less intimidating city than say Rome. Some of my favorite places we visited during our trip were the leather market and the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. The leather market was so fun and exhilarating. I saw belts, handbags, briefcases, wallets, backpacks, jackets, and many other leather goods there. Pretty much any leather good you could imagine. The energy was high and I was in my element.  I also liked the fact that all of the prices were negotiable. I purchased this practical and durable leather purse for only thirty-three Euros! The Accademia di Arti Firenze is the building where Michelangelo’s  David is featured. This collection of sculptures was breathtaking and really brought out emotions in me. When walking down the hall to see the famous David at the end I was immediately drawn to the “prisoners” or unfinished sculptures of Michelangelo. They looked as if they were trapped in the stone and were trying to escape, hence the name prisoners. When I finally reached David, I was stunned at how lifelike he appeared. I kept on catching myself imagining that he had moved due to his realistic appearance. This statue came to life for me.
 
By: Olivia Bruce