April 2008 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

There is a sad time we all must endure each semester – saying goodbye. The Spring 2008 semester has ended and students have returned home or traveled away from Perugia. A semester abroad does pass quickly, unfortunately, as students boarded buses for the Rome airport Saturday. Like the students, we are reflecting on a great semester of student achievements and journeys. Although a new session begins in a few weeks at the Umbra Institute, we will remember the students from Spring 2008 for a long time.

In photo: roommates Matt Benner from Arcadia University, Jay Brouwer from Wabash College, and Joey Liotta from Penn State University gather for one last photo.

Last week, Umbra staff members celebrated one of their colleagues, Mauro Renna, for obtaining his Laurea degree, the equivalent of an American Master’s degree. Tradition allows graduates to adorn laurel crowns as they walk through the streets receiving congratulatory messages from everyone. When Mauro then heard that Umbra student, Jen Beegle, had finished her last final of her senior year, he decided to share the celebrations. Jen will return to Elon University for her official graduation ceremonies this week, but began the celebrations in Perugia. Auguri!

Most Umbra students will leave Perugia this weekend to return to their friends and family in the United States. Before they leave, however, they must complete final projects and take final exams. We found Whitney Lochridge, a student from Elon University, in the library reviewing her notes for today’s Roman Empire final exam.

The Loop Café describes itself as a “container for art experimentation” and last night was no exception. Though more than experiments, attendees of the twice-yearly reading of the literary anthology heard well-polished pieces. The literary anthology, a fusion of essays from the creative writing and photographs from the photography classes, is in press but students read from their final drafts on the Loop’s stage as the lights changed from cyan to magenta to yellow and back. Cynthia Clough, professor of creative writing, was pleased with the event and the readings. “It was the perfect ending to a semester of writing and rewriting,” she commented. The open-mic event, much like the end-of-semester art show, allows students the opportunity to reflect on a semester in Perugia and share these experiences.

Tuesday night was the end-of-semester art show, a chance for students to exhibit a semester’s worth of paintings, drawings, and photographs to their fellow students, as well as professors and interested guests. The Via Danzetta art studio was crowded with Umbra students, professors, and interested guests hoping to review the artwork on display.

The art show was part of the Umbra Institute’s week of special academic events. Beginning with the performance of Mario Pirovano and ending with the Festa d’Addio, the week is designed to allow students time to review for finals while reflecting on a semester at the Institute.

In photos: Andy Ward directs the attention to student work.

Last night Umbra students witnessed renowned Mario Pirovano deliver a captivating performance of Johan Padan and the Discovery of America. Written by Nobel Prize winning play-write Dario Fo, Johan Padan tells the winding and at times unbelievable story of a man who, in an effort to flee the Inquisition, joins Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage to the New World.

Mario Pirovano wove a wonderful story for the attending students, soliciting a ride range of emotions ranging from hysterical laughter to moving silence.

Sig. Pirovano’s singular two-scene act came as a part of Umbra’s week of special academic events, during which students have the chance to participate in a number of curricular or extracurricular activities, such as art shows, literary readings, and film festivals. Keep checking the blog to find out what happens next!

What is a student apartment like? What does Perugia “feel” like? What exactly is the Full Immersion – is it worth it? Umbra staff member Tyler Pace has put together the first six videos in what will be a larger series, all under the rubric of “UmbraViews.”. To see the videos, do a YouTube search for “UmbraViews” or click on the link above. You can even subscribe on the main page and a brief announcement telling you when a new video is posted will be emailed to you. Check it out– maybe you’ll even see yourself!

This title makes most Americans think of the American Beef Council’s ad with the music from Aaron Copland’s Rodeo playing in background, accompanied by a strong piece of narration featuring Sam Elliot. But while Italians do enjoy the occasional piece of beef (like the famous inch-thickFiorentina steak) pasta, by in large, is what’s for dinner… and it’s definitely what’s for dinner for Umbra students, some 99% of the time. But wait! This isn’t any old 3AM dorm room pasta, not a CupONoodles or a tiny bag of Ramen- Italian pasta is much more refined, and is made with super-fresh ingredients. Moreover, the recipe at hand has surely been perfected by generations of pasta practitioners dedicated to this complex art. Take this story from Umbra students…

Allison Pengue, Jaci Kramer, Sara Gardner, Sarah Garnitz, and Kelly Hoffmaster, humming the tune from Rodeo (no, just kidding), decided to take a night and shoot for one of Italy’s most famous pasta dishes, “spaghetti alla carbonara”.

Ever heard of it? The origin of the dish, like most Italian culinary traditions, is lodged somewhere between myth and

story goes, pasta “alla carbonara” was originally created to be a super hearty meal for Italian charcoal workers, which makes perfect etymological sense, as “carbonara” means charcoal in Italian. Then again, some say that it’s so named because the specks of pepper and bacon look like pieces of charcoal. Whatever the case, it’s a great tasting recipe, if you know how to make it well! reality. So one

As our aspiring Italian chefs found, the basic ingredients consist of cheese (usually a nice pecorino or parmesan), egg yokes, and pancetta (which is pretty much bacon). First, put some water on the stove to boil.In the interim, fry the pancetta in some olive oil. Mix the egg yokes, the cheese, and some butter or olive oil together. Once the pasta is done, toss in the mixture (the eggs will cook) and add the crispy pancetta… Then, the only thing left to do is enjoy!

Congratulations to Elon Hirsch-Bliden from Elon University for his winning photo! This month the contest had the theme of “Food in Italy.” Elon’s photo is entitled “Pompeian Orange.” He will enjoy a free meal at Quattro Passi Pizzeria.

Auguri Elon!