Launching Spring, 2026: FUA's Cinque Terre Riviera Program

Florence University of the Arts is pleased to introduce its Cinque Terre Riviera Program in La Spezia. Applications are now open to apply for the launch semester in Spring, 2026 & beyond! Located on Italy’s northern coast, students study in a working port city surrounded by the Alps and Mediterranean. Nearby are the famous Cinque Terre villages and the “Gulf of Poets,” made famous by writers such as Shelley and Byron.

 

Academic Focus

Choose between a three-week term, a full semester or a two-city option that combines La Spezia and Florence. All courses are taught in English by Italian and international faculty. You can mix and match up to six classes in areas such as Mediterranean studies, marine and environmental sciences, engineering, business and supply chain, writing and fine arts, digital media and design, or hospitality and wine studies. Local internships are available to put classroom theory into practice.

 

Experiential Learning

• Hands on projects and internships at industry hubs or local design studios
• On-site advisors, wellness workshops and a 24 hour emergency line to support you outside the classroom

 

Location Highlights

La Spezia is Liguria’s regional hub, with easy train and bus connections. Florence is two hours away, Genoa 75 minutes, and Pisa’s airport is 45 minutes by train. The pedestrianized center is home to the Naval Museum, CAMeC contemporary art center, and lively piazzas. Ferries run daily to Cinque Terre and nearby islands.

 

Housing & Student Life

Options include shared apartments, dormitories or host-family stays. All students receive an orientation, counseling and access to FUA’s 24 hour hotline. Expect a coastal lifestyle with local markets, fresh seafood and a close-knit international community.

Ready to study where the mountains meet the sea? Visit the Cinque Terre & Riviera Program page or contact FUA Admissions at admissions@fua.it for details on sessions, courses and how to apply.

From Windows to Walks: Designing a Study Abroad Course Rooted in Florence’s Past and Present

As part of a school assignment for my Writing for Digital Media course, two classmates and I interviewed the creator and one of the professors behind a recently launched and uniquely Florentine course offered through Florence University of the Arts, Wine Windows and Wine Business Walks. Through our conversations with Professor Thomas Lastraioli, one of the faculty members who designed the course, and Professor Alessia Botturi, one of the professors who now delivers it, I gained a compelling look into designing an academically rigorous and culturally relevant study abroad course.

 

The first interview we conducted was with Thomas Lastraioli, a faculty member and academic advisor who teaches Italian and history-based courses at the university. Lastraioli was responsible for developing the structure, scope, and academic integration of the course. He explained that the inspiration came from the sudden resurgence of Florence’s wine windows during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon rooted in the 17th century, when wine windows were used to serve drinks during outbreaks of plague. During the pandemic, they were revived as a socially distant way to serve food and beverages and quickly became a viral topic on social media.

 

However, rather than letting the course become another “Instagrammable” city walk, Thomas Lastraioli had a different vision. He told us that he didn’t want this course to be just about going to a window and taking a picture but instead to blend Florentine history, tradition, and modern marketing into a serious academic offering that students could experience on the streets of Florence. Every class session involves site visits and is anchored by readings from academic articles and business case studies.

 

What surprised me most was the difficulty of making the course academically sound. Thomas noted that developing a course idea isn’t the hard part, what takes time is building its academic foundation, locating scholarly sources, and mapping out a lesson plan that aligns with FUA’s standards. He worked on this course for over a month and a half, consulting with colleagues in marketing and business, and even went out to walk and map the route himself. His intention, he emphasized, was to help students approach the topic “not as tourists,” but as researchers, analysts, and cultural observers.

 

On the delivery side of the course, we spoke to Alessia Botturi, who now teaches the course. Botturi has a background in literature and spent 17 years in Los Angeles working in the wine importing industry. Her international experience and familiarity with both business and wine made her a natural fit. She moved back to Florence in 2023, and now teaching this course, combines her expertise with a passion for experiential learning.

 

Her classes never take place in a traditional classroom. “We always meet in a public square,” she explained, “and from there we start walking.” Along the way, she integrates history, marketing insight, and real-time assignments, asking students to evaluate wine menus, analyze branding, or even imagine themselves as influencers promoting a wine window. She noted that blending business education with a walking format can be challenging, especially with weather and noise, but also deeply rewarding and now, teaching it, she has got used to finding the quieter spots in populated areas where she can teach and talk to students. The course structure, originally designed by Thomas Lastraioli and his colleagues at FUA, gives her the freedom to add her own interpretation and background knowledge.

 

Both Thomas Lastraioli and Alessia Botturi agreed that the course is about more than wine. It’s about learning how a local historical tradition has evolved into a modern business opportunity, and how Florence as a city continues to reinvent its past for the present. There’s also a clear digital angle; students examine the role of social media in branding and tourism and reflect on how the “wine window trend” took off on platforms.

 

What I personally took away from these interviews was a new appreciation for how much intentionality and care goes into course design. The course may feel casual to the student walking through the streets, but behind it lies detailed planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and a vision to help students think critically about place, history, and commerce.

Beyond The Textbook: Communicating in Italian

At Florence University of the Arts (FUA), language learning is more than getting a passing grade in class— it’s an invitation to experience the city of Florence from the inside out. Designed for beginners, FUA’s introductory “Communicating in Italian” course provides students with the skills and confidence they need to engage in daily conversations and deepen their connection to Italian culture and local life.

 

This dynamic course prioritizes real-world communication in the form of practical, out-of-the-classroom study opportunities. Students gain grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills that empower them to make Italy feel more like home in the short time they are here. For example, during the class I was in attendance for to gather information for this piece, the day began with a recap of the previous week’s topics and a review of verbs, subjects, objects, and sentence prepositions.

 

“I didn’t speak a lick [of Italian] before study abroad,” said Luke Rice, a junior from Endicott College. “Giada does a great job getting us out into the city as much as she can. It’s not just about memorizing vocabulary — we’ve been able to use what we learn at the market and in cafés, which makes the experience feel so real.”

 

Giada Cerchiari is the course’s instructor, whose academic background in Linguistic Sciences and Intercultural Communication, paired with her passion for language, shapes the class’s supportive and welcoming atmosphere.

 

“I think I can do nothing else,” Cerchiari said. “I love teaching Italian, and I also teach English, and I love and study languages.” Cerchiari’s passion for teaching shows up in her students’ participation in class and is a testament to her skill at getting students excited about course material and eager to learn more. I, although only reporting on the class, was encouraged to participate in the class activities. Cerchiari designs each lesson to balance theoretical understanding with hands-on practice, encouraging students to learn by doing.

 

“I always start with theory, but I believe language is best learned through practice,” said Cerchiari. “It’s so rewarding to watch students go from knowing nothing to confidently speaking and understanding Italian during their time here.”

 

Cerchiari believes the streets of Florence are where students are immersed in their study abroad experience most. They are encouraged to apply their growing language skills in real-life situations — a unique feature that sets this course apart from traditional language study. Visits to local cafés, markets, and shops provide students with authentic opportunities to interact with native speakers and experience Florentine culture first-hand.

 

For many students, the course enhances not only their language skills but also their entire study abroad experience. “The café across from my apartment is really local. They almost always seem happier when I come in and at least attempt to speak Italian, so this class has been really helpful with that,” said Ellison Skinner, a sophomore from the University of South Carolina. “This class has helped me feel more comfortable and more connected to Florence.”

 

By the end of the course, students are prepared to navigate everyday interactions with confidence and ease. “I’ll be one of the only people who knows Italian when I go back to school, so it’ll be nice to come home and use that skill in front of others. It’s cool to be able to talk to some locals,” said Rice.

 

“I don’t know how to explain the satisfaction I get from seeing the progress in the students,” Cerchiari said. For many, this course becomes one of the most memorable and rewarding aspects of their time abroad. More than just a language requirement, it opens the door to authentic experiences and meaningful connections, transforming Florence from a ‘Dolce Vita’ destination into a real second home. 

More Than a Meal Plan: A Fully Immersive Mediterranean Experience

The Mediterranean diet is a “lifestyle.” You MUST understand, the Mediterranean diet is more than just what you eat and how you exercise, it’s how you immerse yourself in the Italian culture. These were two points that were repeated over and over again until it was forced into the crevices of my brain; Professors Lorenzo Dal Canto and Fabrizio Polloni will never let me forget them. Health and  Fitness in the Mediterranean is a course that brought an insightful lens into the reality of the everyday lifestyle here in Italy. I took this intensive course within the first three weeks of classes here at FUA during the Spring semester, with the intentions of learning the content and passing a test. Instead, I was introduced into a fully immersive experience that opened my eyes to the true Italian culture.

 

Sure, this class involved taking notes on lectures covering the three most iconic food products in Italy—parmesan, prosciutto, and olive oil. We also dove into units on the history of wine, how it’s made, the health benefits of nut consumption, and the surprisingly deep world of pasta shapes. All of it was tied back to the Mediterranean diet’s key values: quality, quantity, and sustainability. But what I didn’t expect were the experiences that brought those lessons to life. The activities we participated in completely reshaped the way I understood the Mediterranean lifestyle. Yes, it’s important to come into this course ready to listen, learn, and study for the final exam—but my biggest recommendation? Let yourself be fully immersed in the culture. The hands-on elements are where the real transformation happens.

 

You will go on at least one (okay, maybe two… or three) “power walks” that take you through parts of Florence you might never have explored on your own. One sunny afternoon, Professor Polloni led us up to Piazzale Michelangelo, and by the next class, we were climbing the hills near Bardini Garden with umbrellas in hand and soaked sneakers on our feet. I still look back at the photos from those days, romanticizing the views—even the ones blurred by rain. A week later, we were rowing down the Arno River, still just a few weeks into studying abroad, and I couldn’t  stop thinking: I can’t believe this is a class. That same thought echoed again as we biked six miles through the city, passing smiling locals who waved as we rode by. The truth is, you can choose the mindset you bring into this class. And while a 3 p.m. start might not be ideal, it’s a small tradeoff for the kind of experience that stays with you long after the course ends. When else will you have this opportunity?

 

Yes, the lectures were important. Yes, the exam mattered. But the heart of this course lies in the real-life moments that remind you just how rich the Mediterranean lifestyle is. If you’re thinking about taking this class, here’s my advice: show up with curiosity, energy, and a willingness to engage. Ask questions. Take the long walk. Try the olive oil. This class won’t just teach you about a diet—it’ll show you a lifestyle worth embracing.

Signing the Story: Bridging Media Access in Italy

Florence University of the Arts proudly hosted Fulbright Scholar Madison McNair during the Spring 2025 semester. During her time with FUA, McNair conducted several guest lectures, she engaged in discussions with videography and digital media students to learn how to make their projects more accessible, and she worked alongside the university's Communications Office to develop an article for the student-run publication, Blending Magazine.

 

In the heart of Florence, during the Spring 2025 semester, Madison McNair quietly conducted groundbreaking work amplifying a community long overlooked–not through sound, but through sign. A Fulbright Research Scholar with a background in journalism and American Sign Language (ASL), McNair has taken her passion for media accessibility across the world to explore and expand the accommodations that are in palace in Italy for the Deaf community.

 

McNair's path to Florence was not from a route of meticulous planning. Rather, the result of curiosity, intuition, and a willingness to follow unexpected opportunities. A Georgia State University  graduate, she originally dreamt of becoming a news reporter. “That was the goal,” she said. After experiencing the harsh realities of breaking news mixed with the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, her aspirations shifted.

 

While fulfilling a foreign language requirement, Madison chose ASL and discovered something she never expected to find. “I fell in love with American Sign Language,” she said. That spark led to a unique role at Sign1News, one of the first stations in the United States to deliver news in sign language. The experience planted the seed for the goal to advocate for media accessibility on a global scale. 

 

Enter Fulbright.

 

McNair did not originally have the Fulbright Program on her radar. During a late-night search of a way to merge her passions of journalism and advocating for the Deaf community, she stumbled upon the opportunity. “I thought it was a scam at first,” she joked. With encouragement from Georgia State and her employer at Georgia Tech she applied to the Fulbright Program, and the rest is history.

 

Her Fulbright research focuses on the intersection of media and accessibility, particularly how Italian broadcast television accommodates the Deaf community. The journey has demanded flexibility. “Nobody was responding to my interview requests at first,” she admitted. That challenge led her to Rome, where she spent four months teaching ASL and journalism to children aged 6 to 11. The experienced, while unplanned, enriched her work and gave her research a practical, human-centered layer.

 

Back in Florence, Madison’s research continues through in-depth interviews with Deaf professionals, exploring how they engage with media and obstacles they face. One of her key findings was noticing the stark contrast between accessibility for hearing and non hearing individuals. Italy only offers sign language interpreters on TV during specific hours. Many of the people McNair interviewed rely on streaming services like Netflix and HBO because traditional Italian media fails to meet their needs. “They’re missing out on shared cultural moments,” she said. Examples like Super Bowl or major news events that are inaccessible in real time for many Deaf individuals .

 

The lack of access isn’t a coincidence, but rather instead rooted in historical injustice. In the 1880s, a conference in Milan infamously banned the use of sign language in education, claiming that spoken language was superior. “Only one of 164 delegates was Deaf,” McNair explained. “Decisions like that have long-lasting impacts.” Italy only officially recognzined Italian Sign Language (LIS) in 2021.

 

Despite the slow progress, McNair sees gilmmers of hope. HBO's recent efforts to offer ASL-interpreted versions of films like Barbie, Godzilla, and The Last of Us represent a meaningful step forward. Unfortunately such accessibility remains the exception, instead of the rule.

 

Throughout her time in Italy, McNair has come to appreciate not just the professional development the experience has offered, but the personal growth as well. “Florence exceeded my expectations,” she said, reflecting on her time living abroad for the first time. “The people are so friendly. I had lived in Atlanta my whole life. Moving here was scary, but so worth it.”

 

As her Fulbright term has come to a close, McNair doesn't know exactly what the future holds. Whether she’ll continue in education, advocacy, or return to journalism is still up in the air. One thing is for certain, right now she is exactly where she is supposed to be. Through her work, she’s not only conducting research, but building bridges between worlds that rarely meet and giving a voice to a community thats long been unheard.

Stir the Pot

Study-abroad life in Florence offers more than lectures and gallery visits. One standout example of extracurricular programming through the FUA Student Life & Development Department is the “Stir the Pot” Diversity, Ecquity & Inclusion cooking class held at the Palazzi Community Center. Designed and led by culinary students from Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in collaboration with the Apicius School of Hospitality at The American University of Florence (AUF), the event gives participants a practical introduction to Italian-inspired cuisine.

Seventeen students took part in the spring semester’s session, which began with an orientation on kitchen safety and an overview of the evening’s menu: steak with Guinness sauce, spiced shrimp, sautéed Swiss chard, fresh bread, and a creamy rice pudding. Divided into four small groups across two adjacent rooms, students rotated through each station. At the steak station, guidance included timing the grill—about three to four minutes per side depending on thickness—before finishing with a reduction sauce. Other groups focused on preparing bread dough, seasoning and cooking shrimp, and assembling the rice pudding dessert.

 

FUA & AUF culinary students supervised every step, demonstrating knife skills, explaining flavor pairings, and offering tips on presentation. The event provided all necessary equipment and ingredients, as well as refreshments throughout the evening. After preparation, the entire group reconvened at a single, long table to enjoy the dishes they had prepared together.

 

Beyond cooking techniques, the activity offers a social component that helps international students feel at home. Participants came from various U.S. states—from New York to California to Texas—and the shared activity encouraged conversation and collaboration. For many, it was an opportunity to connect with peers outside the classroom, exchange cultural perspectives, and build informal support networks.

 

“Stir the Pot” is one of several extracurricular options available to FUA students each semester. Alongside art workshops, language exchanges, and city-wide walking tours, this cooking event highlights the university’s commitment to blending academic study with practical, real-world experiences. It also underscores Florence’s rich culinary heritage and gives students hands-on exposure to local ingredients and cooking styles.

 

By the end of the evening, attendees not only tasted a full-course meal but also walked away with new kitchen skills, recipe ideas, and friendships that extend beyond the classroom walls. For any student seeking to make the most of their time abroad in Florence, signing up for “Stir the Pot” provides both practical learning and a chance to engage fully with the local community.

Nursing Beyond Borders

For many students, studying abroad is a chance to immerse in culture, language, and art. But for a growing number of American nursing students, Florence is becoming a destination not just for gelato and Renaissance masterpieces—but for clinical rotations, hands-on experience in local hospitals, and a better understanding of patient care on a global scale. 

 

Now in its second year, the nursing curriculum integration program at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is doing something few study abroad programs attempt: placing undergraduate nursing students in clinical settings in a foreign country. The program, launched in partnership with Fairfield University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, is expanding and looking to welcome new universities and students.

 

“We have a lot of nursing students who come to Italy… but only take general education or elective courses,” said Sofia Galli, an FUA Faculty member who oversees the academic structure. “It’s only in the past year that we’ve begun really pushing for students to take nursing courses—courses that match their curriculum back home, including clinical rotations.”

 

With 20 nursing students in the program, Galli believes the learning experience is enriched by exploring how healthcare is shaped by each country’s structure, social norms, and laws. “For the students, it’s very enriching to be exposed to a way of promoting health and ensuring a community’s well-being that they have not seen before.” 

 

The curriculum includes topics like Geriatric Healthcare, Biomedical Ethics, Health Assessment, and Communication in Virtual Care, and is designed to align with the requirements of nursing programs in the United States. Students complete their clinical hours at two local hospitals: Careggi and Santa Maria Nuova, both well-respected facilities in Florence. “We hope to keep expanding the collaboration," Galli said. “Last year we only worked with Careggi – both are great hospitals.” 

 

This experience, while academically rigorous, offers a rare opportunity to observe and participate in healthcare in an entirely different system. Italy’s public healthcare, ranked second in the world by the World Health Organization, uniquely contrasts the privatized structure most American students are familiar with.

 

“It’s very enriching for students to be exposed to different healthcare settings,” Galli explained. “Healthcare is shaped by sociology, laws, and social norms. Italy offers a different model of caregiving—free public healthcare, longer-term patient stays, and fewer staff specializing in narrow roles like in the U.S.”

 

For the students, the differences are eye-opening.

 

“We actually got to assist with more things than we might have in the U.S.,” said Emma Gomes, a nursing student from Fairfield. “Nurses here do a lot more themselves, and they don’t have the same kind of specialties. For example, there's no anesthesiologist—the doctor does it.”

 

Students also noted a deeper personal connection with staff and patients, despite the language barrier. “The nurses are so welcoming,” said student Caroline Brady. “They bring us cappuccinos when they know we are exhausted, let us into their nursing stations, they make us feel like part of the team.”

 

But communication challenges have required adaptability. Many of the patients are older and don’t speak English, forcing students to rely on observation, nonverbal cues, and the help of professional nurse tutors who translate and guide them.

 

“That’s a lesson that really sticks,” said another student, Alice Murchie. “It’s not just about speaking the same language—it’s about learning how to communicate with empathy and attention.”

The program’s impact extends beyond clinical skills. “This is their first clinical experience—ever—and they’re doing it abroad,” Galli said. “They grow immensely, not just professionally but personally. They gain practical skills, human skills, and resilience.”

 

With roughly 40 students in the cohort, most from Fairfield University, the program has already created a tight-knit learning community. Many students reflected on the close bonds they formed with peers, mentors, and patients. “It's something we’ll never get to experience again,” said Lauren Hoppe. “Being part of a different system, seeing how care is delivered—it changes your perspective on nursing and on people.”

 

Despite the cultural differences and challenges, the students overwhelmingly described their time in Florence as a highlight of their academic journey. While few said they’d want to work abroad permanently due to lower pay and stricter career mobility, they all agreed the experience gave them a broader, more compassionate view of nursing.

 

Looking ahead, FUA hopes to expand the program beyond its current partnership. “We want more universities to consider building clinical curriculum integration with us,” said Galli. “This isn’t just about Italy. It’s about preparing future nurses to think globally, to adapt, and to lead.”

 

As the world becomes increasingly connected, especially in healthcare, programs like this one offer a blueprint for how education can cross borders—not just for students, but for the betterment of patient care everywhere.

Conference Proceedings Now Available – 2023 Annual Academic Conference

Florence University of the Arts & Stony Brook University are pleased to announce the publication of the official proceedings from the XII Annual Academic Conference, “Garden of Culture: Calvino’s Memos for the New Millennium.”

 

Held in Florence on December 1–2, 2023, the conference brought together scholars, students, and community members to reflect on the literary and cultural legacy of Italo Calvino, marking the centenary of his birth. Through interdisciplinary panels, keynote speeches, and student presentations, participants explored Calvino’s Six Memos for the New Millennium and his enduring relationship with nature, imagination, and intellectual cultivation.

Click here. The full text is now available to read today!

Blending Magazine Proudly Presents: Underground Florence

In the early weeks of 2025, a new idea was born for the Spring Issue of Blending Magazine. Through the minds of professors Alessandro Calonego, David Andre Weiss, and Alex Klein they developed this semester’s theme of Underground Florence. The goal of Blending is always to urge students to engage within the local community, immerse themselves culturally, and learn in a practical environment, in which this theme only further stimulated.

 

All the way back in January, professors Calonego, Weiss, and Klein involved The American University of Florence (AUF)’s full-time photography students and FUA’s Journalism study abroad students in a month-long project to jumpstart the magazine. During these weeks, students interviewed and took photos of the likes of Gimmy Tranquillo from Controradio, local musician Lorenzo Hugolini, and the pillar of the underground scene: Bruno Casini. Through this month-long project, our students set a new precedent and level of work for the rest to follow.

 

The work of Blending Magazine truly begins in the early weeks of March, when the spring semester starts. Already having developed three articles for the magazine back in January through the interviews with Tranquillo, Hugolini, and Casini, both professors and students involved in courses dedicated to the Blending Magazine were able to understand the level we wanted to achieve this semester. Additionally this spring, students were involved more than ever, directly communicating with the communications office, running ideas and proposals by the magazine team, and working through many edits from abstract proposals, rough drafts, to the final copy that is presented before you today.

 

In today’s current digital climate it is more easy than ever to utilize online sources such as ChatGPT, Wikipedia, and Google Search results as a student; and more difficult than ever for professors to determine what is organically student-written and what is not. We wanted to develop a theme for this magazine that pushed students to pull themselves away from the screen and engage within the local community. To discover Florence from a brand new perspective; not through a google search. The theme of Underground Florence did just that. Through the test-run in January, engaging students in sit-down interviews, we saw immediate results. Then moving into March, this momentum only built further. Students displayed genuine interest, visiting local jewelers, cafes, record shops, speaking to passerby on the streets, all looking for genuine, organic stories from Florence’s past and current underground scene.

 

As you read through this magazine, you will notice most, if not every article includes a genuine lived experience, or a sit-down interview with Florentine locals. When the Blending faculty team sat down in January and created this idea of Underground Florence, that was their bold vision: to develop a magazine filled with lived and true experiences that our students could take with them for the rest of their lives. Students this semester were able to discover Florence from a brand new, fresh perspective, and gain invaluable experience engaging with our local community.

 

To put it all in perspective, this semester a total of 14 courses were involved in the production of Blending Magazine. A special thanks is necessary to Nora Ferrucci for creating the new layout template for the students to work off of and coordinating interviews for students. Additionally, special thanks are in order for this semester's additional course instructors, Marco Gualtieri, Lapo Morgantini, Beatrice Compani, Silvia Giani, Federica Forti, Michael Howerton, and Valeria Faraoni. Without their involvement and coordination with their students, this magazine would not exist.

 

As you read through Blending Magazine’s Spring Issue: Underground Florence, we hope that it brings you, the reader, the same sense of joy and excitement as it brings us. The students this semester truly went above and beyond. Whether it be through pouring their creativity into writing, further developing their classmates’ work as proofreaders, or bringing the articles and spreads to life as photographers and graphic designers, every role was essential to bringing the theme of Underground Florence to fruition.

 

Click here to read the latest issue!

Florence University of the Arts Experiential Field Learning Destinations offer immersive Italian Cultural Education

Florence University of the Arts (FUA) offers a unique approach to education with its Experiential Field Learning (EFL) destinations. These activities are designed to push students to explore and learn by taking them to experience important landmarks and locations around Italy. 

 

The EFL department offers students multiple different types of trips such as one-day destinations, or weekend activities. No matter which trip a student attends, they can be sure to experience the intricacies of Italy.

 

Mariana Di Labbio has been working as the EFL Coordinator for FUA for two years. Her job is to organize and manage the experiential field learning activities. While the trips offer students a nice advantage in exploring Italy, students also can gain genuine in-depth knowledge of the location from teachers. “I think that cultural integration, maybe, could be one of the main objectives, which is also in line with the FUA mission in general,” explains  Di Labbio. 

 

Di Labbio adds that the EFL trips truly build engagement “… you can also have the chance to see some hidden aspects of Italian culture, because we not only offer, for example, Milan or Turin or Rome, which are big cities, but also smaller towns in Tuscany.” 

 

One major advantage of EFL is that it offers a safe and comfortable way to explore Italy. “Sometimes we have students that are for the first time in Europe or out of the country,

so maybe they want to travel, they want to explore, but they don't feel comfortable doing that alone… doing this kind of activity through FUA, it's a good chance also to break the ice and start feeling more comfortable,” says  Di Labbio.

 

Besides just the comfortability of having educated staff running the experience, the academic structuring of the tours is a major benefit for students. “Thanks to FUA leaders that will be with the group, and usually FUA instructors that manage the tours… students can join the experience in a different way from what they could do going there by themselves,” assures  Di Labbio.

 

Staff is typically chosen based on their relations to the specific destinations.  Di Labbio adds, “If a destination includes more artistic or art history topics, we select an art history instructor. If, on the other hand, it includes, for example, more culinary topics, we select one of our chefs or one of our Apicius members.” Apicius is a world-renowned culinary program offered through the university.

 

Students can find information about the destinations in program packets and learn about them when selecting specific classes with an EFL component. The program is also a great way for students to step outside of their comfort zone while studying abroad. In summer one-day excursions are offered, while the fall and spring offer weekend trips. Another wonderful thing about these trips is that they engage students with places that they may want to return to. Establishing comfort is an amazing thing that FUA does. The fun thing about the summer day trips is that they are shorter, and it is typically an easy place to travel to in a short amount of time. 

 

The trips are seamless and enjoyable, but take a tremendous amount of preparation and organization. Di Labbio added, “Most of my work is about logistics, so designing part of EFL is made by the academic office.” EFL works directly with the academic office to ensure that trips go according to plan. 

 

Di Labbio added that depending on the season, the trips may vary. For instance, “A walking tour during spring is much more bearable than in July,” says Di Labbio. This is a factor that goes into planning events and this attention to detail sets EFL apart from tourist oriented trips. A walking tour in Rome might go better in the fall and spring than it would in summer. The same goes for places that might be colder in winter and more bearable in spring or summer. These aspects can enlighten students on the Italian weather patterns as well, which can be beneficial if they decide to travel on their own. The EFL destination trips are valuable in a multifaceted way. 

 

To learn more about EFL and sign up for the next trip, visit the Student Life & Development Website today!