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Month: May 2012

The Italians have a saying: “L’appetito vien mangiando,” or, “Appetite comes with eating.” Wednesday evening, a group of Umbra Institute students tested this theory at Aperitivo 101.

 

Surrounded by the Living Café’s sweeping panoramic views of Umbrian countryside, students listened as Umbra Institute food studies professor Zach Nowak explained the time-honored tradition of aperitivo.

Taken anytime between 6:30-8 p.m., an aperitivo is an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink typically served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Notably among the popular drinks Nowak described is the spritz, which is made with prosecco, bright red Campari or Aperol, and an orange slice. Aperitivi are served with an array of appetizers. Depending on the locale, an aperitivo varies from crackers, pâté, and cheese to a full-fledged buffet.

Nowak said that records show the aperitivo first appearing in 1786 in the notes of Antonio Benedetto Carpano, the inventor of Vermouth; the tradition was definitely widespread throughout Italy by the early 19th century.

Today, the streets of Perugia still overflow with outdoor tables under umbrellas, the perfect spot for friends to sip a spritz, snack, and chat.

           

Experientia docet is the motto of the Umbra Institute: Experience teaches. Two Food Studies Program students, Julia Rackow (Tufts University) and Kimberly Goldman University of Wisconsin), just finished a month working at the Lungarotti Winery in Torgiano, near Perugia. The two students began preparing for the internship in January, working with Umbra Institute staff member Mauro Renna to learn search engine optimization and other skills. The two students then spent an intensive month at the winery, working with Lungarotti personnel on the winery’s English-language site. We sat down with them recently to hear what they thought about their time at Umbria’s best winery.

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There’s just over a week until the Umbra Institute’s Intensive Italian summer program begins again in Perugia, Italy! The program is ideal for students who want to deeply immerse themselves in the language and culture of their host country while studying abroad, and focuses on language acquisition both in and (mostly) out of the classroom.

Between tours and guided visits, cultural events like wine tastings and dinners, language exchange sessions, and cinema nights — all conducted in Italian, of course — there’s no better way to experience Italy and improve your language skills.

Staying in Perugia in the summer also means experiencing the world-famous Umbria Jazz festival, with free shows throughout the day and night, not to mention acts like Sting, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and many more.

The Umbra Institute’s Summer 2012 session got off to a smooth start this past weekend! Students from across the US arrived in Rome to meet the Umbra staff at the airport and then arrived in Perugia on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning, students moved into their new apartments in the city center, and were invited on walking tours of Perugia that afternoon to see more of their new home and learn where to buy groceries, send mail, and go to class. Classes started Monday morning, and hopefully the sun will come back out for Gelato Night on Wednesday! Benvenuti a tutti!

Last weekend, Vanderbilt students took the classroom on the road with a field trip to Assisi, the famed home of St. Francis. One early morning train ride into the hilltop city later, students arrived at the Basilica of St. Francis.

Professor Sheri Shaneyfelt led a “whispering tour” through the towering basilica, which holds not only frescoes by the likes of Cimabue and Giotto but the actual crypt where St. Francis is buried. After viewing the real-life works they had studied at Umbra only the day before, group climbed the winding Assisi streets to Ristorante Pizzeria Ostello, located across from the classic Roman columns of the Temple of Minerva.

After lunch, students were free to adventure through the St. Francis’ old stomping grounds as they wished: Some boarded the next train to Perugia, while others explored the other well-known churches in the small city. A few stayed in Assisi until the very last train, returning to their apartments with armfuls of artisanal goods.

Vanderbilt University professor Sheri Shaneyfelt and her class of art history students arrived in Perugia Tuesday afternoon, officially launching the Umbra Institute’s summer semester.

After furnishing the group with necessities like apartments and phones, Umbra staff welcomed the 20-plus students with a five-course meal at Da Cesarino, a local favorite only steps away from the city’s trademark steps. When the last bite of tiramisù was devoured, students returned to their new apartments.

The next morning, Umbra professor Zach Nowak led the students on a practical tour of the city after they enjoyed their first typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and cornetti (croissants) with a side of panoramic views. Information continued to flow with an orientation meeting at Umbra, followed by a tour of the Coop, an Italian grocery store.

Finally, after this whirlwind introduction, life is slowing down to match the relaxed Italian pace. Professor Shaneyfelt taught the first class of the semester today; students are wandering around Perugia, getting to know their new home.

It’s caffè shakerato season in Perugia again.

Cafés have spilled out onto the cobblestone streets, serving classic Italian iced coffee under stretching umbrellas;  the central piazza’s steps ebb and flow with waves of people soaking in the sun; and Umbra staff members and professors are preparing for this year’s summer sessions.

Tuesday, Vanderbilt students will land in Rome, kicking off the short but full semester. Students enrolled in general studies, intensive Italian, and through their home universities will soon follow suit. Over the next two weeks, check your email for the Umbra handbook, which will answer questions you may have about what to pack or what to anticipate as you prepare for your stay in Italy.

Upon your arrival, expect a warm welcome at the airport, followed by a bus ride through Italian countryside and a dinner that will make you forget your jetlag. The next day, Umbra staff members will conduct a comprehensive orientation session detailing your stay in Perugia, an Umbrian city rich with culture, history, and adventure. Get excited for summer weeks packed with gelato nights, day trips to Umbrian and Tuscan villages, wine tastings, aperitivi (Italy’s much-improved version of happy hour), pizza workshops, historical walking tours, and more.

Arrivederci!