Category: Umbra Blog

By Ashley Palmer, Fall 2018 Umbra Rep

And so we sat down once again, together— this time not as strangers, but rather as friends. It seems like just yesterday, this fall’s Food and Sustainability Studies Program students first gathered at our welcome dinner at the start of the semester. At that dinner, we sat down with not only open stomachs, but also open minds. We were hungry for the Italian cuisine we had heard so much about and for the adventure that was yet to come. I remember being so excited for the semester ahead of me, the people I would meet, the foods I would eat, the places I would go, and for the things I would learn along the way. I looked around the large table, at the unfamiliar faces around me, and wondered what I would learn by the end of the next four months.

I first heard about the Food and Sustainability Studies Program by way of a study abroad fair at my home institution, Endicott College. I had already had my heart set on going to Perugia, to the Umbra Institute, but I was undecided as to what classes I should take. I got back to my dorm room and eagerly leafed through the pamphlet I received, quickly deciding to partake in the program. Looking back on that day, I am so grateful because this program has made my study abroad experience truly unique. Over the course of this semester, I have gained a new perspective on food and culture in Italy. Through community engagement, traveling, anthropological interviews, and workshops, my education was both extraordinary and surprising. History, food, anthropology, and sustainability are a few broad topics to describe what I have learned, as there has been so much more. With my education inside and outside the classroom, I achieved an understanding about not only the past of Italy, but the present as well. During my time here, I have learned about the Italian people of today, and the meaningfulness behind their culture.

Last night at the final dinner of the program, I sat down with new knowledge and new memories. I learned so much more than I anticipated, and I got to see so many amazing things along the way. I and the ten other students in the program became closer throughout our time in the classroom and in our travels throughout Italy. Together, we ate fresh grapes in the vineyards of Tuscany, tasted traditional balsamic vinegar older than we are, harvested olives in a sustainable garden, and recreated ancient recipes— just to name a few interesting things from our extensive list of adventures. With our new-gained knowledge, we acquired an appreciation for the beautiful country of Italy, and the culture it proudly shared with us. Although it is bittersweet looking back on when we began and how quickly the time passed, I am happy with the decision to partake in the Food and Sustainability Studies Program at the Umbra Institute. Last night, we talked like it was any other day together, but we reflected on how much had changed since the first time we sat down with each other for a meal. This time, at then end of the night, we walked out with full stomachs and minds— leaving with an experience we will never forget.

 

To learn more about Food & Sustainability Studies at the Umbra Institute, click here.

 

When they left Perugia last summer, Mackenzie Nelsen and Jared Belsky may have thought that their experience at the Umbra Institute had come to an end. A few months later, they received word that the joint ethnographic research project, “Cultivating Activism Through Terroir: An Anthropology of Sustainable Winemakers in Umbria, Italy,” was selected as one of two winners of The Forum on Education Abroad’s 2018 Award for Academic Achievement Abroad. While she was excited that her students were recognized for their outstanding work, Dr. Elisa Ascione, Coordinator of the Umbra Institute’s Center for Food & Sustainability Studies, was not surprised by this honor. What impressed her most about these young social researchers was that they “immersed themselves in the lives and stories of winemakers, putting themselves in the shoes of a community of farmers promoting alternative, eco-friendly practices.” As Dr. Ascione explained, “They combined their interest in environmental sciences with ethnographic methods and insights, offering an original interpretation of the data and stories that they collected.”

The notification of this award included remarks from the faculty member who reviewed Mackenzie and Jared’s submission. It reads in part, “The project […] is an amazing example of the integration of an interesting topic, solid methodology, excellent undergraduate research, mentoring, and a study abroad opportunity. The topic is timely [given] increasing global emphasis on sustainability and farming in the age of sustained climate change.”

About The Forum and the Award

The mission of The Forum on Education Abroad is to serve “as the collective voice of U.S. post-secondary education abroad.” They work to develop standards of good practice and to provide resources and training to help their members achieve them. They also advocate for education abroad and promote its unique value.

As explained on The Forum’s website, “The Award for Academic Achievement Abroad is an honor that showcases rigorous and significant undergraduate academics that occur as part of education abroad programs… Academic achievement while abroad represents one of the highest accomplishments of undergraduate student learning. Conducting serious, high-quality academic work while abroad requires critical thinking, analysis, and creativity. The international context poses unique challenges and opportunities for understanding of other cultures and societies.”

In March, Mackenzie and Jared will give a presentation at the plenary lunch at The Forum’s 15th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado about their experience at the Umbra Institute and their academic project. Over 1,400 international education professionals will be in attendance.

Makenzie and Jared’s Umbra Experience

This award is the culmination of Mackenzie and Jared’s unique Umbra experience. Mackenzie is an Environmental Science and Interdisciplinary Food Studies double major at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Jared is an environmental studies major at Hamilton College. During the Spring 2018 semester, they took two courses taught by Prof. Ascione: Anthropology of Food & Sustainability and Food Production in Italy. Mackenzie said that these courses were “very intellectually stimulating” and that she was learning not because it was a requirement but “for the excitement and joy of it.” Similarly, Jared said that he found Prof. Ascione’s anthropological approach particularly enlightening. By the end of the semester, they both decided to spend an extra two months in Perugia researching sustainable wineries in Perugia.

The Research

Jared and Mackenzie’s research focused on the figure of the vignaioli, an Italian word for both winegrowers and winemakers. “Our research is basically traveling to different wineries around Umbria and meeting with their owners to interview them about their specific viticulture practices and perceptions of terroir, sustainability, farmer identity,” Jared explained. They recorded, transcribed, and analyzed all of their interviews and observations. According to Jared, this was helpful because it was possible to go back and find answers to questions they had not asked during their visits. Jared adds, “We did qualitative research, analyzing sustainability through the point of view of our informants. We collected the data through Theoretical Sampling.” He continued, “We have also used Snowball Sampling, which means some of our fieldwork has been determined by the participants themselves; in this case, some of the winemakers we visited recommended that we go see another winery that wasn’t on our previous list.”

The research allowed Makenzie and Jared to deepen their knowledge about sustainable agriculture and about the motivations behind a farmer’s choice to produce sustainable wines. “One of the most memorable moments was when we saw a rally in the center of Perugia with lots of tractors,” Mackenzie said. “Most of the people we interviewed during field research were there, demonstrating for better regulations in the agriculture sector. We talked to them and they were so passionate about their work, so we understood their way of thinking. It was great to be there with them and share their concerns.”

Presenting at The Umbra Institute’s Food & Sustainability Studies Conference
Last June, Jared and Mackenzie had the opportunity to present her research at the Umbra Institute’s Food Conference, an event organized every two years that welcomes renowned food scholars from around the world. “It was very exciting,” Mackenzie comments. “Although it was a bit intimidating to present our research in front of other professionals, we felt the support of Prof. Ascione and the Umbra Institute.” As Mackenzie explained, this experience allowed them to develop some new skills, “In college, you write many essays, but here it was different because when you focus on one topic for so many weeks, you get so much material from your readings and the fieldwork. Having to synthesize all of that has been a learning experience that is important for my future.”

The Impact of the Umbra Experience

Overall, their time at the Umbra Institute has had a significant impact on Makenzie and Jared’s approach to their studies. “I’ve always focused on environmental sciences, and this was my first time doing anthropology,” Mackenzie said. “When I took Prof. Ascione’s classes, I really fell in love with her anthropological approach. I think it shifted my direction quite a bit because, coming from a food studies and sustainability perspective, I learned that anthropology is a great method to explore those ideas. So, this research experience gave me the opportunity to share what I’ve written and seen and, beyond the practical aspect, it reframed my way of thinking and the kind of the path of what I want to follow.”

Jared has also been thinking about how to take advantage of what he has learned. “I hope to develop this project as one half of a senior thesis for next year,” he said. “It would be interesting to do some sort of comparative analysis with terroir between wine in Italy and cider in the US.”

 

Everyone at the Umbra Institute is proud of Mackenzie and Jared on this great accomplishment. Congratulations!

 

To learn more about Food & Sustainability Studies at the Umbra Institute, click here.

By Justin Lewis, Fall 2018 Umbra Rep

The Venice Biennale is a world-famous exhibition of different forms of art. Starting in 1895, the original Biennale solely dealt with art in the form of painting and drawing. Since then, the event has showcased many amazing pieces of art and has grown immensely to include different forms, such as dance, music, theater, and architecture. The latter being the focus of my trip to Venice a few weekends ago. Although I barely knew anything about architecture, from the trip, I left with a newfound sense of its importance. However, with the trip being my first time visiting Venice, there was a lot of exploring and discovering to do for such a short period of time. Interestingly enough, I got to experience a semi-rare occurrence of acqua alta, a phenomenon in which up to around 70% of Venice floods due to a sustained high-tide mixed with prolonged rain. Without having any prior knowledge of the city, or its tendency to become submerged, I was completely unprepared. This made for almost as unique of an experience as the Biennale itself.

The Biennale’s theme this year was titled “Free Space,” a loose term left up to the interpretation of the architects involved. The manifesto, as given by the event’s curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, expressed the idea of both developing a sense of free public space in a concrete sense within communities, but also left the interpretation open to the more abstract. Perhaps the most abstract of all the exhibits, in my opinion, was Great Britain who left their space free… literally putting nothing within their display. While there were plenty of practical examples of the term in the Biennale, I found the concept of “Free Space” being used as a vehicle to explore architecture’s impact on us as people to be more interesting. After sitting through a TED Talk-style presentation on the idea itself in which the topic of using the event to highlight architecture’s importance, I began to think about architecture as more than just buildings for the first time. I came to the conclusion that we discuss the importance of our surroundings in development as people, but never the physical surroundings and their effects. I started to wonder how much of an impact on my life the physical structures I grew up in and around had. While seeming a little farfetched at first, consider the difference between the outlooks on life of someone who grew up in a mansion and someone who grew up homeless. Architecture, to me, then transformed from simply being a one-dimensional thing only representing buildings and how they are planned into a complex and interesting view on how we live our lives. As fascinating as the revelation was, leaving the Biennale to explore the city led me to an even greater shock.

After leaving the exhibits, I soon came to the realization that the sneakers and joggers I was wearing were not going to cut it if I wanted to wade through the almost knee-high water in some spots of the city. However, we were given several hours of free time and there was no way I was going to spend them confined to certain parts of the city because of a little water. After discovering that the shoe-covers that half the people were wearing cost 15 euro, I, much like the other half of the people, decided to go on without them and figure another option out. After doing my best to explore the city by working around the pathways that were flooded, which allowed me to see a lot of the city, I came upon a spot where there were no other options. With several inches of water between me and the famous bookstore ironically named “Acqua Alta,” I decided to take the plunge. While some people were walking through the water with their shoes on, that was not an option for me since I had on a pair of shoes that I had bought just before arriving in Italy. Carrying my shoes with me, exploring the bookstore and seeing how the books were floating in the store on top of gondolas and sitting on shelves just out of the water’s reach, was a truly interesting experience that almost made me forget about my worries of catching some sort of foot fungus, almost.

The trip, as a whole, made for an amazing experience in which I discovered a lot of different things. The way my perspective was changed on the ideas of architecture being a true form of expression that has an immense impact on our lives is something I do not think I will soon forget. Being forced to explore the city of Venice in a different way than normally provided for a unique experience and aside from not feeling dry until a few days later, I would say that the trip went swimmingly!

 

Photo credits: Justin Lewis

By Justin Lewis, Umbra Rep Fall 2018

When I first arrived here in Perugia, I tried to have as few expectations as possible in regards to what I would learn and experience.  However, being in the Italian Direct Enrollment Program made not holding some preconceived notions hard.  Obviously, I expected to learn a lot about the language and culture of Italy through my studies, but whether or not I would encounter other things is what I was unsure about.  Little did I know, I would come to a profound realization about the way I thought about language on the first day of class – something that made me aware of my naivety as a native English speaker and was also a reminder of why I love language learning. 

After walking into the room and finding my other classmate from the Umbra Institute, Kelsey, I decided to sit next to her. Shortly after, a girl came and sat down next to us. She introduced herself as Celeste and said that she was from China. She explained that she came to study at the Università per Stranieri because she had always wanted to learn Italian. The interesting aspect of our conversation was that it started out in English, which felt natural to me, but when there were things either one of us did not understand, we automatically switched to speaking in Italian without a thought.  The exciting feeling of meeting someone new, especially from another country, kept me from realizing what had just occurred after our conversation ended.

Sometime later in the evening, while reflecting on how the first day of class went, it suddenly hit me that I had immediately assumed Celeste spoke English, without giving it a second thought.  While I felt naive for not thinking to ask whether or not she spoke English before starting a conversation, I found it interesting how, as an English speaker, I just assumed someone from another country would know how to speak my language.  I also came to another realization: I had been able to communicate with someone who is from the opposite side of the planet in a language that was foreign to both of us.  The notion that we were able to have a shared experience and talk about things like culture in our respective nations, without using either of our primary languages one-hundred percent of the time, struck a chord with me.  We met both figuratively and somewhat geographically, in the middle and were able to speak to each other.  It reminded me that although it may sometimes seem hard to communicate with others, we can always find a middle ground where friendships can grow.  In this instance, language was the driver for finding that middle ground and I think this is the beauty of learning another language; it provides opportunities to make new worthwhile connections with people. 

Learn more about the Direct Enrollment: Full-Immersion Italian Language and Culture Program at the University for Foreigners here

 

 

Written by: Jena Wood, Umbra Summer 2017 student

Published in the West Chester Living Magazine – September 2018 

Truffle hunting, vineyard pruning, coffee tasting, creating traditional Mediterranean recipes and tending to goats are not activities you typically find on the itinerary for a dietitian’s education. But the more I reflect on the experiences I had during a 5-week field study in Umbria, Italy while completing my Master of Science in Community Nutrition from West Chester University, I realize they are among the most vital experiences I’ve had in my entire education. Now, as a professional Registered Dietitian at a West Chester supermarket, I am able to bring my experiences from Umbria to West Chester daily through my cooking classes, culinary demonstrations, and consultations.

The bulk of my ethnographic research took place on the fertile soil of a legume farm and vineyard overlooking Lake Trasimeno. Although my Italian language skills aren’t strong, I diligently took notes from the caring farmer who demonstrated true passion for preserving Italian culture and sharing his traditions with anyone who would listen. When the Tuscan sun became too overbearing to work in the field, we headed to the kitchen to create classic Umbrian dishes like torta al testo. This deceptively simple flatbread is steeped in historical significance. In Umbria during the 1500s, the reigning Pope raised the tax on salt, making daily cooking a costly task. To rebel, the Umbrian people chose to forego salt in their bread and still do today. The farmer’s family also shared family recipes and techniques for homemade pasta, fagiolini (beans), jams, and even spreads made from lard—all foods deemed taboo according to the latest diet trends. But creating these meals with purpose and care on the land they were grown gave these foods a new perspective. Everything was used or repurposed, and nothing was taken for granted. Food is undoubtedly meant to nourish, but it truly does so much more. Experiencing this holistic view of food was refreshing and a reminder for myself— we need to eat to live, but living to eat is okay too.

After my field study, which is offered annually through a partnership between The Umbra Institute and West Chester University, I realized how much more inclusive, hands-on, and culturally competent my education and nutrition practice could be. No two cultures or people eat alike, and they rightly shouldn’t. I strive to create a “one size doesn’t fit all” approach to how I interact with my customers, clients, and students. The most significant lesson I learned from my trip is that it’s never too late to get back in touch with your eating habits and facilitate a culture of mindful eating, but the sooner we experience this the better. Thinking of my time in Italy, I try to notice the minute details in my customers’ health and food history, to better help them make the most meaningful dietary changes.

There is a famous proverb: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch a fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. In my career, I hope to continue facilitating experiential learning for my clients—showing them ‘where the fish came from, how to catch it, and why we eat it.’ This will undoubtedly create a ripple effect in that proverbial and fertile lake.

We are glad to publish this Alumni contribution. Kelly O’Connell was a student at Umbra during the Fall ’08 semester.

Dear Perugia,
We met 10 years ago, can you believe it?! I distinctly remember the nervousness I felt getting ready to meet you – to get on my first ever solo airplane ride, to leave my family and friends for what was at the time the longest stretch I’d spent away from home. I didn’t know anyone that was going to be there with me to experience all the new things I knew you’d introduce me to. And remember that ridiculously large suitcase I brought with me?? Yes, the one that was big enough for me to crawl into which weighed damn near equal to my body weight. Good thing I’ve learned a thing or two about packing light.

So many things about our friendship were serendipitous. I never actually felt like I chose you as a destination for my semester abroad. I’d told people that perhaps I wanted to go to Ireland because of the apostrophe in my last name, or maybe to Italy because I’d heard the food was so delicious. When my advisor told me about you, I knew it was the place for me. Like most of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, you just felt right – like something I was meant to experience. Something that didn’t so much feel like a choice but rather a necessity. I hesitate to call it destiny because that sounds so cliché, but ultimately that’s what I’m getting at. It took me years to convince my parents that moving to you for 4 months was a good idea. They thought I was crazy. They deeply worried about my safety and all those other things that parents worry about. And yet somehow, they said yes. I like to think they knew deep down that I was meant to meet you too.

I remember sitting on my bed about a week before I left, tears streaming down my face, asking my mom if I was doing the right thing. I was SO scared. But you kept calling my name and I kept believing that everything would work out. I knew that if I met at least one friend, all would be okay. Immediately you introduced me to Gina, my lively, curly haired, southern Cali roommate. I quickly realized that she would be the meaningful friendship I had imagined in preparation for my semester, and my anxieties subsided. As classes started you introduced me to Katy from Pennsylvania whose warm-hearted nature can light up a room, and who is still the smiliest friend I have to this day. And then there was Whitney from Colorado who is one of the strongest women I know and who helped me realize how strong I was too. Together these women gave me the confidence I needed and have relied on since to advocate for myself and the things I want in this life. They’ve taught me how to love myself for who I am and not for who other people expect me to be. They helped me shine as an individual away from all the people and things I knew about the world up to that point.

Before I left for Italy I never knew what I wanted to do with my life (or should I say my career). I was studying to be a teacher because I love children and it seemed like an okay fit for me. And then I met you, Perugia, and you gave me a taste of what else was out there in the world. With you as a home base, I visited 11 countries in 4 months! In retrospect I think we can both agree that was a bit excessive, but you made it possible for me to see more of the world than I ever thought I’d see. You instilled in me a deeply rooted passion for exploration which has since brought me to 19 more countries, and counting! You taught me to be curious about new languages and to ask interesting questions of the people I met from places and backgrounds that differed from my own. And truthfully, I still don’t know what I’m doing with my life. What I can say for sure though is that I’m living the life I want to live largely thanks to the person I became while spending a semester with you.

Perugia, you changed my entire life. You made me question every single decision I’d made pertaining to my future up to that point. You pulled me outside of my comfort zone in countless ways. And if I’m being honest, the person I became after meeting you has let some people down over the years. Becoming a world traveler has come between me and some meaningful relationships, and to the people I’ve hurt along the way, I am sorry. But what you demanded of me in terms of challenges, you returned to me 10 fold in love. You introduced me to some of the best friends I’ve ever known who are still in my life today. Not to mention the fact that every friendship I’ve made since then has had some connection to the traveling world, and without whom I cannot imagine my life. You gave me my first dose of the utter joy I now experience every time I visit a new place. Because of you I experienced my first miniscule European apartment, my first full conversation in a foreign language, and my first international romance. Most importantly, you taught me that the most impactful way to learn about myself and the world is to go out there and experience it. To eat new foods, to talk to locals, to laugh, to dance, to play, to try, to wonder, to wander, to ask, to flounder, to fail – and ultimately to be myself no matter the circumstances.

From the deepest depths of my heart, thank you for forcing yourself into my life in the way that only fateful experiences can.

All my love,

Kelly O’Connell

Umbra Class of Fall 2008

WELCOME TO THE UMBRA APP!
Use the App to get in touch with faculty, Umbra staff, and fellow students. View upcoming events, check out local maps and discounts, share photos of your adventures, and more! Below are a few of our favorite features:

Maps
Whether in Perugia or beyond (i.e., Florence, Rome, Spoleto, etc.), check out some the restaurants, cafés, shops, and more that were suggested by staff and previous students.

Local Discounts
Did you know that you get special discounts in Perugia, including at gyms, stores and shops, restaurants, hotels, and much more?! If not, this is a great feature to view. Remember to bring your
Student I.D. card if you’re looking to take advantage of these deals.

Independent Travel Form
Complete an Independent Travel Form on the App. For those of you in a hurry, you can also take a photo of your tickets and/or itinerary.
NOTE: Independent Travel Forms can also be completed online at www.umbra.org/currentstudents/independent-travel-form/; or you can fill out a paper copy in the Student Services office.

Medical and Emergency
Find emergency numbers, including the Umbra Emergency Phone and Italian ambulance under the “Emergency” tab. Locations and phone numbers of local pharmacies and the Guarda Medica, a health service available overnight, are listed under the “Health” tab.

Safety Check-in
In case of an unfortunate event in Europe, the staff will send out a Safety Check-in alert. The alert will ask you to select “I’m Safe” if you are okay, or “Request Assistance” if you are affected by, or near, the incident. By selecting either option, you’re sending a notification to Umbra staff informing them of your precise location. This notification will then allow them to report your safety back to your home institution.

If you are in need of assistance, we ask that you contact the Umbra Emergency Phone as soon as it is safe to do so in order to provide you with the necessary information to ensure your safety.

Are you planning to study abroad in Perugia, Italy this fall? We at the Umbra Institute have constructed a list of 6 things you shouldn’t forget to pack for your fall abroad in Perugia.
This list is not everything you need, but rather a selection of some of the most common items that our students forget each fall:

1. A winter coat
   Italians often spend September soaking up the sun on the beach and tourism easily paints Italy as the ideal location for sun-bathing warmth. However, November and December in Perugia can get chillingly cold. It won’t snow, but snow can be seen on the distant mountain tops as the wind carries a cold breeze into the city. Winter coats can be quite expensive in Italy so we advise that students bring one from home. 
2. Ciabatte or pantofole
   That’s right, Italians wear shoes in their homes. This is primarily because most Italian apartments do not have carpeted floors. In warmer months, ciabatte (which are like flip-flops or… crocks!) are worn to keep your feet clean and comfortable. In colder months, pantofole (winter slippers) are worn to keep feet warm as they step along cold wood or tile floors.
3. Warm clothes to wear at home
   Italian homes and public buildings are often cooler than what the average American is used to in the winter. This is because energy is much more expensive in Europe than it is in the U.S., so Italians don’t keep their heat blasting all day, every day. Instead, in part due to Italian law, Italians turn the heat on for a limited number of hours each day, and walk around wearing sweaters and warm pants. Italian law even dictates the range of dates during the year when heat can be used (a period that typically doesn’t start before early- or mid-November).
4. Rain boots
   Winter in Italy doesn’t mean snow, it means rain. Students will find that their main method of transportation in Perugia and throughout Italy and the rest of Europe will be with the use of their own two feet. Rain boots can help keep students warm and dry (while Umbrellas can be purchased at the Institute or throughout Perugia).
5. Comfortable walking shoes
   There are three characteristics of walking in Perugia: uneven cobblestones, stairs, and hills. Perugia is a beautiful hill-top city with postcard-like panoramic views around nearly every corner. However, while abroad, students find that walking is their most comfortable and commonly used way of getting around town (or Europe). Comfortable walking shoes are not flip-flops, and sometimes not even sandals. Students often find that the most comfortable shoes are shoes designed for running or walking.

   Note for those of you who may enjoy high-heels: Be careful wearing heels in Italy! It is easy for a stiletto to get caught in a cobblestone crack, and though Umbra staff is available to help you seek medical assistance, no one wants to see you fall or twist your ankle on your way to enjoy a nice evening walk. Our students usually avoid heals during the semester, especially after their first night out; and many ask us to warn others about how uncomfortable such shoes can be.
   

6. Cold and flu medication*
   Perugia is beautiful year-round, though it is important to know that winter can bring rain and cold wind. Not all students get ill as the seasons change, but for those of you who choose not to bring items 1 through 4, we suggest bringing something to treat a cold or the flu. Italian winters can get cold, and the altitude makes a difference. Choosing not to bundle up or dress appropriately for winter rains, can cause illness. Italian pharmacy instructions will be given to all students in the Guide to Perugia, provided during orientation weekend. Umbra staff is available to make arrangements with a doctor.

*be sure to follow all travel guidance for transporting medication overseas. Consult your pre-departure documents, travel.state.gov, or the CDC (special note about prescription medicines)