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

The reading of the Literary Anthology for Professor Clough’s creative writing class took place last night at La Tana. Students read from the essays that recorded their study abroad experiences in Italy. We laughed, we cried, but most of all we were enlightened by the impromptu puppy poem for Professor Clough’s famous dog Desiree. Thanks to all the students for having the courage to get on stage and share your memories and stories with the rest of us.

Students of Contemporary Italian Culture and Society as well as International Marketing boldly presented their semester projects last night to a room full of people at Palazzo Sorbello. A hand-full of students were also fortunate enough to have an “adopted Italian family” and they shared their interesting cross-cultural experiences that accompany being welcomed into the Italian family nuclease.

Hard to believe that the Fall 2008 students arrived in Perugia only four months ago! Exams are finished, suitcases are almost packed, and everyone is running out to buy last minute gifts and reminders of their favorite little town in Italy. Most are excited to get home to see family and friends for the holidays, but like everyone else who spends a few months living here… you might miss passeggiate on Corso Vannucci, Parma panini, and the new friends that have become familiar faces more than you expect. And from the sign we found in the library yesterday,you may miss the Umbra Staff as well!

Thank you so much to all for an especially wonderful semester — new school buildings, professors, and staff, and a particularly special group of students. We hope that many of you will come back and visit in the future. From everyone at Umbra, safe travels as you head home, and Happy Holidays!

Wednesday evening at the Umbra Institute, the Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello Foundation awarded the academic prize to Sophia Schwatka for most outstanding student of Italian. Each of the 22 participating candidates for the prize submitted a short essay on the topic: “Describe how the understanding of the language opens a window into the Italian culture.” The essays were judged (without the names of their authors) by the school’s faculty. Thanks to all the prize nominees for participating and to the Ranieri Foundation for your very generous contribution, and your active involvement with the Umbra

Institute.

Last night, students and professors gathered together to gander at the displays for the Umbra Institute’s biannual Student Art Show. In the hallways and classrooms, students showed off their best semester works from drawing, fresco painting, and photography classes. Thanks everyone for coming out, and thanks to all the up-and-coming artists and photographers for sharing your excellent pieces.

Yesterday’s olive oil workshop was an easy sell. Almost thirty Umbra Institute students filled a local enoteca to hear about Italy’s number two (after wine) food export. The first part of the workshop focused on the biochemistry of an olive, as well as its processing. The second part, on the other hand, was dedicated to the actual tasting. Students tried a range of oils, from a light Sicilian oil made on lands confiscated from the mafia to a local oil, just pressed last week. The workshop was a third in a series and will be presented in the Spring semester as well!

Italian In Four Projectors:
Four separate projectors were turned on and heated up today for the Umbra Institute Italian classes’ oral presentations. As part of their classwork all students have to prepare an oral presentation (with PowerPoint, of course) about some aspect of life in Italy. Today’s themes included Christmas in Italy (yep, there’s a Yule log here too), Italian desserts, and Italians at the beach. Comprehend – Speak – Present!