Emily's Reflection on Italy 2012

I have asked the students to write a reflection paper on what they experienced during two weeks in Italy. The students requested (demanded??) that I too participate in this exercise and share my thoughts with them. While at our closing dinner on the last night of the program, I started to write a list of things that made the summer 2012 trip to Italy memorable.  This summer was my first trip to Italy, and my first time in charge of a group of students abroad, so there were many learning experiences for me personally.

I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to embark on this adventure.  I am thankful to The University of Montana for trusting me to guide the students abroad, and I hope that this is the first of many trips I can make to participate in programs with the University of Brescia.

 So without further ado, here is my list of 30 things (in no particular order) I'll always remember about this experience.

1. Italy is Hot and Complicated. The city is hot and humid and air conditioning is only operational in theory.  In addition to the heat, the Italian bureaucracy can stifle any efforts to complete seemingly simple tasks.  Hoops are made to be jumped through, right?

First day in Brescia, welcome to the heat, y'all!

2. Italian Math. This is not a joke. Italian math is different, and definitely non-linear. Simple mathematical operations are anything but simple. Hilarity often ensues when try to calculate a figure with an Italian.

3. Lost in Translation. Not understanding anything anyone is saying. Many people you encounter do not speak English, and if they do it's typically fairly limited. Countless times I stood by while a conversation took place wondering just what on earth people were speaking about! ((note to self- learn the language!)))

Just one example of a "huh??" moment in Italy... canned Montana!

4. Playing Never Have I Ever.

Never Have I Ever had lunch in such a spectacular setting!

5. The Cabinieri have very snappy uniforms, and I'm pretty certain they are out to get me.

The Carbinieri

6. Mickey's "unique" management syle. Unique as it may be, all 11 students plus this professor managed to make it safely around Italy on countless adventures.

Hey, where is the bus stop!?

7. The Milk Guy. The Sock Factory Factory. UBI Banca Brescia.

Jay enjoying the visit to the  sock factory-factory (Lonati).

8. Tuesday of the second week at the winery.  We spent the afternoon touring the phenomenal Ca'del Bosco winery. Then we were invited to professor Rino Ferrata's home for a wine tasting and dinner. Overall, it was a truly special day.

At Ca'del Bosco...

Later that evening at Dr. Ferrata's beautiful home

 9. Lunch on the final Friday- I had Osso Buco and it changed my life. Pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten. :)

10. Two weeks of sleep deprivation.

Good morning, class!

11. Two weeks of wifi deprivation.

Well, there wasn't free, unlimited wifi, but I think this was a pretty great
place to work on a group project!

12. The incredible hospitality of the Convitto Vescovile San Giorgio. (We were on the news... click here for a clip)

Students, me, and the men of the Convitto.

13. ATM machines apparently are only capable of producing 50 Euro bills. No shop owners want to take 50's, and no banks are able to change out large bills for small ones.  Did I mention that even seemingly simple tasks can be very complicated in Italy!?

14. Random hours at retail stores.  Need something between 12:30 and 15:00? Too bad. Need something after 19:00? Too bad!! To those of us accustomed to 24/7 retail stores and gas stations, this can be a bit of a shock.

15. My Italian mom.

16. My Italian students.

University of Montana and University of Brescia Students at Centrale del Latte

17. Delicious Happiness in Your Mouth. (The global basis of Coca-Cola's marketing slogans. All things Coca-Cola, around the world, always come back to this fact.)

18. The Castello (castle) and the Roman Ruins. Mind boggling.

Students in front of the Roman ruins in Brescia.

 19. Staring, Advanced Staring, and Advanced Staring 2.

20. Luca Roda. Inspriational.

21. The three-hour lunch. (see #14)

Pizza!!

22. Appertivo hours.

23. Art. It is everywhere, and it is awesome.

A beautiful fresco

Students enjoying the statues in Venice.

24. Pork products. They are everywhere, and they are awesome.

25. Italian dogs. They are everywhere, and they are awesome.

A dog friend at Fuori Luoco.

26. Sharing food. Italians are big into sharing food. Don't be squeamish about sharing a fork!

27. Pizza. Pasta. Croissants. Focaccia. Pesto. Coffee. Gelato. Meringhetta. Tiramisu. Wine. Spritz. I honestly didn't have a single bad meal.

28. Herding Cats. I am very proud to have introduced this expression to Italy.

11 students went to Venice, 11 students returned from Venice... amazing!

29. The kind and warm people from University of Brescia who went out of their way to make us feel so very welcome.

30. Getting out of our collective comfort zone and experiencing a new way of life. Sometimes life is a single-speed bicycle and you have to adjust to things that are out of your control. Remember to enjoy the ride while striving for your goals.