Month: October 2016

Paige McNeil is a Hospitality Management Major at the University of Denver, currently enrolled in Umbra’s Food and Sustainability Studies Program. This semester, Paige has become an active contributor to the Umbra Voice, Umbra’s journalism and communications club that hosts a student blog. The blog is meant to reflect the experiences of Umbra students, providing them with an outlet to share their experiences, while also providing a source of valuable travel information for current and future students.

Paige is the author of the new Umbra Voice section, Monday Mangiamo, a section in which she highlights her favorite food of the week. Paige’s articles share a mix of recipes, her travel locations, and information about the local cuisine she sampled in each place. Paige presents the historical and cultural significance of Croquettes and patatas bravas tapas in Spain, and mouth-watering descriptions of “spaghetti with white wine butter sauce, steamed mussels and clams, and cherry tomatoes”.  

“The tastes, textures, and flavor combinations amaze me every time I try something new,” shared Paige. “I love trying new foods and learning about the cultures that they come from.” Paige is passionate about food and hospitality. She decided to write for the Umbra Voice to gain new experience as a writer and has described her work as “a great opportunity to share my many food experiences while I am exploring Italy and Europe.”

Are you interested in contributing a piece to the Umbra Voice? Contact Ashley at [email protected].

As many have expressed concern for the Umbra community, we would like to report that the city of Perugia and the Umbra Institute were unaffected by this morning’s earthquake in Italy.

The location primarily affected was the area around Norcia, about 100 km south of Perugia. 

We appreciate all of your kind thoughts and prayers.

As many have expressed concern for the Umbra community, we would like to report that the city of Perugia and the Umbra Institute were unaffected by this evening’s earthquake in Italy.

The locations primarily affected are in the Region of Marche, not the Region of Umbria (where Perugia is located). 

We appreciate all of your kind thoughts and prayers.

ANFS 370:Anthropology of Food students explored the notion of food as cultural heritage by visiting two sites in Città di Castello: the heritage orchard “Fondazione Archeologia Arborea”, and the Research Center and Museum of Folk Traditions or “tradizioni popolari”. Below is a reflection written by one anthropology student, Gerard Pozzi:

“Our class field trip to Città di Castello provided me with both an authentic and colorful glimpse into the history of rural life. The orchard has the goal to preserve heritage species of fruits (that would otherwise disappear). I found particularly interesting the emphasis on the preservation of tradition and heritage, occuring simultaneously with the incorporation of modern scientific and agricultural techniques. The curator of the orchard, Isabella Dalla Ragione, taught us the tremendous history behind each fruit, and the unique tastes and recipes that are uncovered when (excuse the pun) digging — though, rather, picking — bits and pieces from the past.

The heritage farmhouse was an enriching experience, engaging all of the senses to experience what life in this farmhouse once resembled. I was interested in the agricultural and household equipment, from old tractors to (what was then) innovative kitchen tools. My favorite room, I (unsurprisingly) have to say, is the kitchen. The immense hearth in the center resonated with me, as it put emphasis on the process of making the local version of torta al testo, ‘ciaccia.’

The visit and tour of Isabella’s property and the heritage farmhouse in Città di Castello was informative and inspiring. It reminded me of the importance of preserving heritage and tradition in a way that does not distance us too much from the past. In my opinion, it is important, even today, with modern technology and innovation constantly in flux, to expose younger generations to the past, antique ways of life. Perspective on both the past and the present is eternally useful”

Umbra Institute ESUS 310: Placemaking students attract media attention as they continue their work on the “Salotto con Vista” terrace project that began during the Fall 2015 semester. The terrace project was featured on Rai News’ “Buongiorno Regione Umbria” program on Friday, October 14th. We would like to congratulate professors Ray Lorenzo and Viviana Lorenzo, as well as their past and current Placemaking students for their contributions and hard work.

View the video below at 14:00 to see the segment that covers work on the terrace on Via del Cortone in Perugia, Italy.

Click here to read about the project in Luoghi Comuni’s article (in English), published in their online magazine during the Spring 2016 semester.

Click here to read more about the Borgo Bello Association that collaborates with Umbra students on Placemaking community projects in the Borgo Bello neighborhood of Perugia. 

As in previous semesters, students will return to provide an interactive language and culture lesson

The Umbra Institute encourages students studying abroad in Perugia, Italy to take on service learning projects that involve them in the local community. On Friday, October 14^th, PYHD 430: Human Development in Culture students took advantage of the opportunity to visit a local Montessori school, and Fabbretti primary school.

When visiting, students were tasked with investigating classroom organization and how primary school students and teachers interact. They also got the chance to engage in curricular activities with primary school students. Their experiences in Italian classrooms will be used for their final project, an ethnographic research project on their choice of a topic such as: enculturation, acculturation, mental health across cultures, education across cultures, and dimensionalizing cultures.

Students will visit the schools again to provide English language classes with an interactive lesson on American culture, which they will design.

The class is open to all students, and is particularly interesting for students who study education, psychology, or sociology. 

Read more about the course PHYD 430: Human Development in Culture

Umbra would like to congratulate Prof. Philippa Stannard, professor of photography and ceramics, on her active participation in this year’s Foto Biennial in Berlin.

Philippa is known for participating in shows with photos taken at a number of international destinations, including countries such as Tanzania, Cuba, China, and Australia. This time, her work is taking part in the annual Foto Biennial for Fine Art and Documentary Photography. Four of her pieces are featured among the works of other talented artists from around the world, including artist Steve McCurry who recently published a series of photography based in Umbria.   

Click here to view samples of some of Philippa’s work.

Students enjoy discussing lifestyle and cultural differences among friends

Learning the local language is an important part of studying abroad in Italy. For this reason, Umbra organizes a number of cultural immersion activities, including Tandem. The goal of Tandem is to provide students with intercultural competencies acquired through a relaxed, conversation-oriented environment. Italian and American students meet for Tandem multiple times each semester to practice their respective languages, compare cultural practices, and forge friendships, all within the comforts of a local Italian pizzeria.

During last night’s Tandem event, students were asked what they enjoy most about Tandem. Gabrielle Swain, from Pennsylvania State University, shared, “I like coming to talk about the lifestyle differences between here and home. It is a great way to learn about Italian culture.”

Olivia Rhodes, from George Washington University, commented, “I love Tandem! I think I understand Italian at this point, but speaking is still hard. I practice with shopkeepers but those conversations don’t take very long. Tandem is an opportunity to practice my Italian and not be embarrassed about it.”

Akosua Ako-Addo, from Arcadia University, expressed that, “Getting to practice Italian in a semi-controlled environment lets me feel more comfortable than in a street where ‘survival Italian’ is all I speak.”

 

Click here to learn more about opportunities Umbra students have to immerse themselves in Italian language and culture.

Students after a presentation about the Mafia in Umbra’s Aula Magna

 Last week, students in the new HSIT 380: Cosa Nostra: Cinema and History of the Mafia course took part in a presentation about the Mafia, hosted in collaboration with the Libera: Associations, Names, and Numbers Against Mafias, an Italian anti-mafia organization. Italian writer and journalist, Vincenzo Vasile, known internationally for his work writing about organized crime, shared how his childhood in Sicily was directly influenced by the Mafia. His experiences ultimately led to his decision to dedicate his career to covering topics such as the influence of mafia operations and Antimafia Commission investigations within the United States and in Italy, describing how criminal activities evolved, from murder to money laundering. 

On Sunday, students went to visit the first confiscated property in the region of Umbria, Col della Pila farm in Pietralunga. Students learned that the property was confiscated from Mafiosi thanks to Italian Law n. 109/96. The law, since 1996, has allowed the Italian government to seize property from Mafiosi and give it to cooperatives or associations, who then use the property for community building and agricultural purposes.

Click here to learn more about HSIT 380: Cosa Nostra.