Tandem redux

Tandem met last night at Birraio making it the third to last tandem for the spring semester. The students have passed the halfway mark and in most of them it’s easy to see the maturity they’ve acquired being here in Italy. Whereas before Tandem coordinators Rachel Bethany and Paul Schiller had to provide a theme for the American and Italian students to talk about, now the conversation just “happens”… which is exactly what the program is supposed to do. Conversation is of course easier with some stuzzichini (finger foods and snacks often eaten with an aperitivo) and some sangria to loosen up the tongue muscles for italiano. Tandem will be back next week, same time, same place!

Photo of the Month Winner

Congrats to Chase Doelling from the University of Colorado-Boulder for his winning photo taken in Brugges, Belgium. Chase will enjoy a free meal from Quattro Passi Pizzeria!

Auguri Chase!

Field Trip to Florence!

Last weekend a group of Umbra students went on an overnight field trip to Florence for their Survey of Italian Renaissance and Mannerist Art class. Professor Adrian Hoch led students on an extensive tour highlighting the city’s main museums and churches. Florence is known as the Renaissance Art capital of the world and this time Umbra students spared no stops. The trip included Santa Maria Novella, the Ufizzi Gallery, Santissima Annunziata, the Brancacci Chapel, Santo Spirito, the Bargello Museum, the Galleria del Accademia, San Marco, the Loggia del Lanzi, and Santa Croce. Of course everyone also had time for a sampling of Florence’s “edible art,” gelato – what’s your favorite flavor?