Umbra Blog – Page 29 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

The “repEAT Box Project” has officially launched in Perugia! Students enrolled in the STFS 330: Sustainability and Food Production in Italy class continued the work started by the Fall 2013 class by delivering take-home boxes, bags, and informational materials to three restaurants in Perugia.

The project is focused on educating the community about food waste and providing a way for restaurant patrons to take their leftovers home. Unlike the United States, take-home boxes are not common in Italian culture; this project has afforded the students a cross-cultural view of sustainability, along with a way to bring part of their own culture to Italy. “Food is both a public and a private world. With this project, we examine the private behavior of food culture and practices, and make comparisons with practices in the United States and Italy” explains Professor Ascione, coordinator of the Food Studies Program.

The project recently made another milestone on January 25^th when the students, Umbra faculty and staff, and owner of participating restaurant Pachamama, held a press conference with Perugia’s local governing body “Il Comune di Perugia” and the Vice-Mayor of Perugia. Three newspapers across Umbria, Il Messaggero, Umbria 24, and Tutto Oggi, published articles about the details of the project.

The conference was organized in order to bring awareness of the project’s overall goal of reducing food waste in the historic center. The repEAT project has been enthusiastically embraced by the Comune as it coincides perfectly with a European initiative for 2025 to reduce food waste by 50%.

Worshippers visit the shrine of Saint Angela in Foligno. Photo Credit: Emma Cordell

Earlier this month, Umbra students Emma Cordell and Giuseppina Rossi visited the nearby town of Foligno with Professor Adrian Hoch, Ph.D. This visit was a continuation of their fall semester participation in Hoch’s HSWS 380: Saints, Sinners and Harlots: Medieval Women in Central Italy course and provided the opportunity for the students to attend festivities in honor of one of the women studied over the course of the semester, a 3^rd order Franciscan, Angela of Foligno.

“On January 4th, Giuseppina and I, accompanied by Professor Hoch, took a trip to the Umbrian town of Foligno to attend festivities celebrating Angela of Foligno,” commented Cordell. “She was sainted in October of 2013 by Pope Francis, and happened to be a major figure that we studied in Professor Hoch’s class. Witnessing these celebrations, in honor of one of the women we had been taught about, gave us a nice sense of closure to the course. It provided us an opportunity to see the subject brought to life in a way that made her life story, which has so fascinated us in class, appeal to everyone.” Emma Cordell is a Miami University of Ohio student, currently enrolled in her second semester at The Umbra Institute.

Worshippers gather outside the Saint Angela’s Shrine, during festivities held in her honor. Photo Credit: Emma Cordell

“Lo scorso semestre ho frequentato un corso, “Saints and Sinners”, il cui studio era incentrato sulle donne medievali del centro Italia diventate poi sante. È stato soprattutto questo che mi ha spinto a partecipare alla canonizzazione di Angela da Foligno, il 4 gennaio 2014. Io, la studentessa Emma Cordell e la prof.ssa Adrian Hoch, l’insegnante del corso, abbiamo partecipato alla messa delle 11, celebrata nella chiesa in cui è custodito il corpo della santa: era piena di persone, alcune delle quali avevano partecipato anche alla messa mattutina. La cerimonia è stata bella – avevo dimenticato l’odore di incenso che si sente appena si entra in chiesa. Uno dei momenti più toccanti della celebrazione è stata la fine, quando tutte le persone si sono dirette verso il corpo della santa per toccarne la bara. Oltre alla messa del mattino c’è stata anche la celebrazione delle 16.30, la più importante, accompagnata da una sfilata di ragazzi vestiti con abiti antichi, alcuni dei quali suonavano il tamburo. E’ stata un’esperienza per me estremamente interessante: è stata la prima volta in cui ho partecipato a questo tipo di evento, e non ne sono rimasta affatto delusa. Per questo vorrei ringraziare la prof.ssa Hoch e Emma per aver condiviso con me quest’esperienza.” Giuseppina Rossi è una studentessa dell’Università degli Studi di Perugia.

Umbra’s HSWS 380: Saints, Sinners and Harlots: Medieval Women in Central Italy course explores the rich textual, hagiographic, and visual records celebrating women in Central Italy during the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Students focus on such figures as Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena and Angela of Foligno, striving to understand the interconnections between popular religious display, individual lives, and the art and architecture created by a culture to exalt its spiritual heroines.

After their first week in Perugia, 22 brave students took part in Umbra’s Nooks and Crannies walking tour. Undaunted by the thick veil of fog, they were guided by charismatic staff members, Cat Tartaglia and Gina Fabbro, through Perugia’s fascinating and oftentimes obscure history.

From the Salt Wars (and Salt Jesus!), to the Rainieri’s street cleaning pigs of bygone days, and all the way up to the highest publicly accessible point in Perugia (hello Via Aquila!), the students now know a little more about the historical city where they will reside for the next semester.

Another tour – for those who missed it the first time – will be announced in the coming week.

Student Kristen Larocque gracefully soars to new heights in Via Aquila photo courtesy of Danielle Rubio — Student Kristen Larocque gracefully soars to new heights in Via Aquila
*photo courtesy of Danielle Rubio*

The inaugural days of Umbra’s Spring 2014 semester may have gotten off to a drizzly start; however, the gloom has finally given way to several days of glorious sunshine and clear skies – the perfect backdrop for exploring Perugia’s seemingly endless winding streets, tiny cafes, and traditional restaurants.

Perugia’s newest international transplants spent the weekend moving into their apartments, getting acquainted, and discovering the joys of Italian coffee. The first day of the semester was marked by Epiphany celebrations (church bells and vintage cars), as well as an introduction to Umbra staff, faculty, and buildings, followed by a safety talk by a Lieutenant of the Italian State Police. A two-day Welcome Open House featured a practical tour of Perugia’s supermarkets, post offices, and major landmarks, which students will undoubtedly come to know like the backs of their hands.

Today marks the beginning of Intensive Italian Week, a five-day “survival Italian” crash course. Up next? A leisurely lunch with Umbra staff for non-Arcadia students, and an Arcadia participant orientation at a local Agriturismo on Saturday. On Sunday staff members Gina and Cat will lead an optional “Nooks and Crannies” walking tour of Perugia and its strange, wonderful lore. Stay tuned!

This semester has been filled with local volunteer opportunities for students. Everything from UNICEF Pigotta doll making and wrapping holiday gifts with Mani Tese, to English tutoring at local schools. Umbra participants have not shied away from these opportunities, but instead have jumped at the chance to step outside of the classroom and give back to the community that has become their home away from home.

Over several weekends, many students volunteered with the Orsini Family of Orsini Agriturismo in nearby Passignano sul Trasimeno. As a small-scale, family-run operation, all sowing and harvesting is done by hand. It is here where students experienced the day-to-day operations of a rural Italian farm during harvest time working alongside members of the family harvesting both fagiolina beans and olives. It also served as a wonderful opportunity for students to become honorary members of the Orsini family, gaining insight into Italian family relationships as they practiced their Italian language skills.

“I volunteer a lot in the United States, so working with the Orsini family allowed me to continue that practice, while also getting more in touch with local culture,” commented University of Wisconsin-Madison student Joseph Orner. “Harvesting fagiolina beans had me working alongside Italians within their element, demonstrating their strong work ethic and the tight bonds that they have as a family, since they do work so closely together. It makes you appreciate the work that goes into the process.”

Umbra’s BSIM 390: International Marketing provides students with an overview of theoretical and current business practices of international marketers, combined with a service learning component that allows for real world experience through a partnership with a local Umbrian company.

This year’s partner, Pashmere, is a 3^rd generation, Umbrian, traditional Italian family-run, cashmere clothing company located in Ponte San Giovanni. Previously creating private label collections for designers such as Donna Karen, Prada, Fendi, and Versace; Pashmere shifted their focus in 1999 to designing for their own collection. Following the traditions of artisanal knitwear, their pieces are designed in-house, working with emerging designers. Their goal is to continue building their business in various markets abroad, while continuing to deliver a high-quality, luxury product.

To assist Pashmere in obtaining this goal, students researched current and potential exportation markets in targeted countries selected by the company: China, Japan, Germany, Russia, and Brazil. Based on managerial interviews, on-site observations, a SWOT analysis, and review of Pashmere’s business operations and materials, groups presented their findings and recommendations to Pashmere representatives this past Thursday.

“Working with Pashmere gave our class an amazing opportunity to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom regarding key target markets, consumer research, and marketing strategies,” commented Babson College student, Kirti Nahar. “My concentration is Marketing and Global Business Management, so working with Pashmere was the perfect project to practice my skills and give me a glimpse of my future career path.

“This class and involvement in this project has made me realize the importance of conducting research on cultural differences before entering a new market,” added Brandeis University student Sathvika Reddy. “I have gained a new way of thinking and analyzing – using a combination of creativity and analysis to come up with innovative ideas.”

The Umbra Institute is committed to creating innovative international education opportunities for students, allowing for immersion into the local community. Service learning at Umbra links critical thinking and academic coursework with personal reflection and collaboration with the local community. Participation allows students to become active participants in their learning, both in and outside of the classroom.

International Marketing students with Pashmere company representatives during an onsite visit earlier in the semester.

Umbra’s Roman Empire class spent the last weekend following in the footsteps of the city’s greatest emperors, taking in what remains of Marcus Aurelius’ eternal “city of marble”. Armed with walking shoes and the greatest Roman guide of the past 2,000 years, Professor Giampiero Bevagna, students spent a sunny Friday exploring the Foro Romano, or Roman Forum. During the heyday of the Empire, the Roman Forum was the city’s economic and judicial nucleus. Located between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, it is the site of the ruins of the Senate House and the home of the Vestal Virgins, among other important structures. The day concluded with a visit to the nearby Coliseum and some free time in Rome at night.

Saturday found our intrepid students following the route of the entire Triumphal Parade, an ancient path through the streets of Rome. Triumphal Parades were awarded only by Senate decree in celebration of conquering generals , and wound past the capital’s most impressive temples and government buildings. Professor Bevagna encouraged students to imagine a Rome without modern-day roads crisscrossing the ruins, and fathom just how impressive the collection of massive marble buildings were when intact. The afternoon was spent enjoying free time around Rome before heading back to Perugia at night.

Student AnniLauri Villeme noted, “This field trip included information about the Forum, Colosseum, Temples, and all the different buildings that were really important to see first-hand. It totally brought what we have been studying to life. Giampiero can explain complex history in simple terms that improve the experience immensely.”

For the lives of many children, a doll can be a childhood friend or companion. The Progetto Pigotta or Rag Doll Project takes the importance of dolls one step further by giving them a role in saving the lives of children. Started in Lombardy, Italy in 1988 by Boston native and UNICEF volunteer Jo Garceau, Progetto Pigotta works to provide vaccinations and other medical basics to children and mothers in need throughout the world.

Viola draws the face on her Pigotta doll during a weekly UNICEF workshop.

Since 2008, the Umbra Institute has been partnering with UNICEF and Maria Luisa Blasi, Coordinator of the Pigotta Project in Perugia. Through weekly workshops, Umbra students have the opportunity to work alongside Università degli Studi di Perugia and UNICEF volunteers creating these important lifesaving dolls, as they share their cultures and lives with one another.

This semester, 20 Umbra students joined these volunteer efforts. After an initial briefing about UNICEF, its mission, and the Pigotta project, students eagerly began creating their own dolls during the first workshop in October. Over the past six weeks, these volunteers have slowly pieced their dolls together; stuffing cotton, stitching seams and hair, sketching facial details, and adding the finishing touches of clothing and accessories. Final results varied from girls with braids and black hair with purple highlights, to boys with green suspenders and fire-red locks.

The completed Pigotta dolls will be on display and up for adoption just in time for the holidays at various Christmas markets throughout Perugia.

Next Wednesday, UNICEF and Umbra volunteers alike will gather to celebrate the end of a successful semester and new Pigotta dolls going to save children and their mothers. Joining them will be journalists from local newspaper, Corriere dell’Umbria, and a TV station. They will be interviewing students about their experience with UNICEF and the Pigotta Project, further assisting UNICEF spread the word about the positive work they are doing within both the local and global community.

UNICEF and Umbra volunteers with Pigotta Proejct coordinator, Maria Luisa Blasi — UNICEF and Umbra volunteers with Pigotta Project coordinator, Maria Luisa Blasi

refuso-pettit-celani Umbra professors Alessandro Celani and William Pettit will be holding an exhibition of their photography work at Teatro Morlacchi, November 23rd at 6 p.m. The two became friends through a shared interest in art and photography, in particular black and white photography. Celani approaches the medium as an historian, using the most sophisticated technical standards with his Leica M camera. Alternatively, Pettit approaches photography as a painter, and uses technology of the lowest level: traditional film and negatives with cheap Holgas and homemade pinhole cameras. A common voice is to be found in all their images: a poetic one, a nostalgic one, and also an astute one, at times quite formal.

The desire to prepare a joint exhibition arose over several cups of steaming hot coffee at the Café del Teatro Morlacchi. Celani and Pettit knew of another pair of photographers, Amato and Schoneveld whose formal, poetic work also shared parts of their vision. In a medium so much about time, their photographs, in black and white, pull between eternal and instantaneous; between luscious and barren.

To view this exhibition in a space so perfectly suited to its display, visit the Teatro Morlacchi on Novembre 23, beginning at 6 p.m.

Elisa Ascione, Coordinator of the Food Studies Program, has co-authored the chapter “Eurochocolate: an instrument of valorization for Perugia and its territory,” published by Routledge in 2014 in the book Food and Wine events in Europe: a Stakeholder Approach. The chapter contributes to the study of events through an analysis of Eurochocolate, a ten day international chocolate exhibition that has been held annually in October in Perugia since 1994. In this paper the authors use stakeholder theory and network approach to examine the relationships among different actors at the event, and to explore how the event has revitalized the city as the European Capital of Chocolate. The model presented is based on the role of the degree of engagement of the participants and the relationships among stakeholders within and outside the event. This paper shows that this successful chocolate event is defined by an ongoing process of negotiation among different groups with similar and divergent interests.