Green Walks of Florence Transforms the Sidewalk into the Classroom

The Florence University of the Arts Green Walks Class makes the Historical Gardens of Florence the ultimate learning environment.

written by Tyler Kirwan for SPEL: Journalism

Catia Ballerini greets her students cheerily on the stone steps of a Piazza during a crisp, but sunny morning. A little groggy, but all the while intrigued, her students listen along to her recap of yesterday’s walk. Ballerini is prepared to teach her Green Walks of Florence class and neither the early time nor cool air can dim her joy.

The Green Walks of Florence Class offered by Florence University of the Arts (FUA), takes students on a journey through the many historical gardens and green spaces located within Florence, Italy. Ballerini is just one of the teachers who offers this type of walking course; some feature other subjects like architecture or sculptures.

Ballerini has been teaching this class for three years, where the only classroom is the open air of Italy. She tells the class that today’s lesson is going to focus on examining the many historical parks of the Roman City, specifically botanical gardens.

“It’s not a lecture, it is a journey. I want students to feel the different vibes and energy of the gardens, not just the city center… it’s about experiencing the people of Florence,” explains Ballerini.

Ballerini announces the walk today will be easier than yesterday's. The previous day, the students traversed three kilometers, traveling across the river and up a hill that overlooked Florence. These outdoor courses, offered by the university, allow for personal connections to the locations being studied.

After walking through Via degli Speziali, the students start with the first garden of the morning, located at the historic Universitá di Firenze — the oldest University in Florence. The group starts their tour, making their way from the morning’s meeting point at the piazza. Once there, Ballerini begins her lesson. The campus grounds contain a botanical garden built by the Medici family. The location’s proper name is Giardino dei Semplici and was designed with a focus on medicinal plants.

After huddling students around the garden’s gates and giving a brief historical account of its origins and purposes, Ballerini guides them to the next leg of their journey.

The stroll continues, making stops at Giardino della Fortezza and Piazza della Libertà. Beautiful locations in Florence with cultural relevance, Ballerini is sure to cite her facts. She asks students questions about the spots, relating the conversation to past walks. The ultimate goal of this type of tour is to learn as much as possible while actively experiencing the history - and the class is quite engaged. Some students answer her questions while others quickly jot down notes and vocabulary in their phones.

The tour takes time to weave between the old streets of Florence, and each garden is some distance from the previous. About two hours deep, before the final stop, Ballerini brings the students to a boulevard with a couple cafes. She announces to the class that there will be a short cappuccino and snack break as well as time for anyone to use the restroom, instructing everyone to meet her back at the entrance in twenty minutes, stepping inside with some students to order.

While enjoying a snack, one of Ballerini’s students, Kevin Zielinski, shares what he has gained from the class. “We go outside the city center and explore the city for what it is and get to see the native Florentines,” he says.

Other students at the table with various baked sweets share the same sentiment, adding that they enjoy the broadened view of Florence they now know. Zielinski adds, “I’ve been able to see, and notice more greenery.”

Although Ballerini has taught this specific format of the class for three years, she and the other teachers have instructed various types of green walk classes for FUA. In the past, some variations have been taught in a hybrid fashion, with both in-classroom and outdoor time. However the course is taught, Ballerini finds any amount of outdoor experience to be of benefit to her students. She believes that learning outside allows for better connection than just knowledge in a classroom, by affixing memory to physical spaces.

After the break, the class heads to the final location, climbing the northern hills of Florence up to Orti del Parnaso. Through this climb, a magnificently intricate glass tepidarium comes into view and Ballerini points out some of its details.

Crossing a bridge over some train tracks and up a rocky path, the tour ends at a park overlooking the city. Ballerini sits the class down to work on Italian language skills and has them practice terms they have learned on prior tours. She has a smile on her face, and although the group walked quite the distance, the students don’t seem to mind. Taking in the view after finishing up their studies, everyone seems inspired, and ready to tackle a new walking adventure tomorrow.

Bridging Cultures: FUA’s Gateway to Authentic Italian Connections

At FUA, students immerse themselves in Florence, forging lasting connections and embracing Italian life beyond the classroom.

written by Charlotte Cicero for SPEL: Journalism

“More than a language exchange,”:

FUA’s ‘ChatPal’ club bridges the gap between students and locals.

Florence University of the Arts (FUA) offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the local culture through its ChatPal program. It fosters real connections between students and Florentine locals, creating relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

FUA advisor Francesca Giovannini stated in an interview, “ChatPal is not only a simple language exchange, it’s really the opportunity to meet a Florentine local.” The flexible program allows students and their ChatPal partners to choose when and where they meet for 1 hour each week. During these meetings, the FUA student will talk to the Florentine local in Italian, and the local will talk in English, offering both participants the opportunity to practice a language that is not as familiar to them.

One of ChatPal’s benefits is the potential for students to create long-term connections with Florentine locals.“If you are planning to come back to Florence after your semester, you’ll know someone who lives here,” Giovannini adds. “You have an important contact if you want to come back for holidays or for your studies, and some of the relationships formed have led to great friendships.”

The recruitment process for ChatPal ensures a personalized experience for students. The university reaches out to individuals studying at public universities in Florence, particularly those in linguistic programs. This careful selection process ensures that students are paired with engaged and enthusiastic partners, and vice versa.

“All of our activities are meant to get in touch with more and more people, and if you have the chance to get to know more Florentine people, it’ll be good for everyone,” says Giovannini.

ChatPal is an invaluable resource for students looking to deepen their connection with Florence, offering them not just language practice, but a true Italian friendship.

Home Away From Home:

FUA’s standout involvement opportunity invites students to join local families for the semester

A standout involvement opportunity here at the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is the Italian Family Club. For students that are thousands of miles away from their parents and siblings, some for the first time, this opportunity allows students to feel as though they have their own family here in Florence. This eye-opening experience immerses students in Italian family traditions, values, and everyday experiences beyond what they might find in a typical study abroad experience.

“The most special part is the first and last meeting,” FUA Senior Advisor Francesca Fornari explains. “At the beginning, students are shy, scared, and don’t know how to interact. But by the last meeting, they are really part of the family, with inside jokes and deep connections. It’s beautiful to see the bond they create in just three months.” The families involved in the program have been welcoming students into their homes for over a decade, Fornari notes.

The Italian Family Club application asks students about their experience babysitting or serving as camp counselors, as well as any hobbies or sports, to better match the student with the family. Vivian Johns, a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University who is studying abroad at FUA, said at the first informational meeting, “I want to fully immerse myself - engaging with younger generations, as I'm used to volunteering with children back at home. I'm really excited to connect with them in a new place.”

As these Florentine families are volunteering their time and opening up their homes to students they’ve never met, Fornari describes this opportunity as a great privilege. “You have to be present and committed to do this,” says Fornari. Students explore Florence from a local perspective, venturing beyond tourist paths and sightseeing, and gaining a deeper appreciation for their surroundings. Students learn to adapt to different social settings, broadening their understanding of both their host culture and their own.

For those looking to experience Italy in its most authentic form, the Italian Family Club is a gateway to lifelong connections and cultural enrichment.

Stolen Time, a New Showcase Opens at the Murate Art District

An exhibition consisting of works by Georges Adéagbo and William Demby is now on display at the Murate Art District.

written by Tyler Kirwan for SPEL: Journalism

On February 5, 2025, The Murate Art District opened their Black History Month display with the theme ‘Tempo Rubato’ or ‘Stolen Time.’ Free to the public and spanning two floors, the exhibit includes works by Georges Adéagbo and William Demby.

The ground floor of the former prison turned museum, houses an art display titled ‘Divorando le Pietre,’ which is a collection of collages arranged by Georges Adéagbo. These collages are a reworking of some displayed in 2008 and were developed for the 10th annual Black History Month of Florence.

The next floor of the museum features a sprawling display focusing on the life and works of William Demby. These two figures were selected for exhibit based on their relation to this year's Black History Month theme centered around time.

Georges Adéagbo’s collection, Divorando le Pietre, consists of objects found in his home country of Benin, Africa. Alongside the found objects from his journeys through Africa, the collages also consist of items found in Rome, Venice, and Florence, Italy. Following the theme of Tempo Rubato, Adéagbo’s exhibition notes refer to the exhibit as “a meditation on stolen time and histories.” Modern items such as beer bottles and paperback books are juxtaposed against traditional masks and statues.

William Demby was a multifaceted creative; his career spanning journalism, writing, music, and acting. The title of the exhibit, Tremendous Mobility, revisits Demby's published work, as well as displays unfinished and unreleased texts and photographs. William Demby was an important Black figure in postwar Italy, and his inclusion in the exhibit aids in educating visitors of his impact.

During his life, William Demby made impacts in many fields, as featured in the collection. The museum space shows published newspaper articles written by him, as well as pages from his most famous work ‘Beetlecreek.’ Beyond his published titles, the display contains fragments of in progress works, and photographs taken of him and by him. Demby in his earlier life also worked as a translator, writing English subtitles for Italian movies.

Black History Month Florence is organized by the Associazione Culturale (BHMF). Speaking with the Co-Founder and Director of the collective, Justin Thompson says “History is something that is always being written at every moment in time. Its interpretation is through our voices and through our work. Unfortunately, a lot of black history has been narrated by non-black individuals, especially in Italy.”

The theme of history and time are prevalent in both of these collections, with Adéagbo’s display, history is shown to be at play at all moments. The collages allow the past and present to have equal share in the space they consume. “Georges Adéagbo, is collapsing all of these timescapes, we're talking about contemporaneity, and we're talking about antiquity encountering each other across cultures” explains Justin Thompson.

Speaking on the William Demby collection and its relation to time, Justin Thompson says “We're talking about the capacity to move throughout time, just simply by being in proximity of elements that speak to us of history. We're always negotiating time in these ways”

The William Demby display was made possible due to The Recovery Plan, a research center that works with the Murate Art District. BHMF also worked with the son of William Demby, James Demby, to ensure authenticity, working with him to gain personal and familial perspective when combing through archives.

Both of these Black History Month collections will be available to the public until May 5th. The Murate Art District is open Tuesday-Saturday 2:30-7:30pm.

Ghost Stories on the Streets of Florence

written by Jack Wardynski for SPEL: Journalism

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, under an awning at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, the students of the Crime and Mystery History Walks Class in Renaissance Florence took the opportunity to dry off and rest after the first leg of their journey. They then listened intently as their classmate, JJ Branagh, enlightened them on the history of the nearby buildings.

“I’ve always been very interested in history,” said Branagh. “Being in such a historical place, it felt like a waste to not get a local (perspective) from someone who has grown up here his whole life.”

His presentation was delivered outside with the backdrop of the gloomy autumn weather and focused on the history of the building across the piazza, the Spedale degli Innocenti. Constructed by Filippo Brunelleschi early in the Renaissance, the hospital was a haven for those afflicted by illness and orphan children. The famous wagon wheel, which babies were placed on to deliver them to the nurses in complete anonymity, can still be seen today.

The class' professor, Fabio Binarelli, then led the students to the piazza’s main attraction, the statue of Ferdinando I de’ Medici. Next, the students were treated to a folk tale well-known to Florentines in the area. Apparently, many centuries ago, a girl living in Palazzo Budini Gatai fell in love with a man who was sent off to war. She left her window open day and night so her lover could call for her when she returned. Tragically, the man died in battle, and the girl lived the rest of her days without her soulmate. The window sits cracked open permanently to this day, and it is said that closing the window angers the spirit of the girl who still haunts the Palazzo.

“I could spend a semester just talking about this square,” said Binarelli. “Each place is dense with meaning and carries the weight of centuries of evolution of human culture… I’m giving the main points, but we could always talk more and more.”

Walking tours are a weekly occurrence for Binarelli’s class, and this one began at Florence University of the Arts’ facility at Via San Gallo 45R. From there, they stopped at the piazza for presentations, and then proceeded past the Duomo to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore. At first glance, the exterior of the church seems fairly normal. Just another ornate, ancient construction in the heart of the city. However, looking upward reveals an off-putting anomaly, and the subject of Binarelli’s next lecture: the Berta.

The Berta is the petrified, stone head of a woman that looks particularly out-of-place on the side of Santa Maria Maggiore. No other such carvings exist on the church or on the rest of the street . There are a number of variations on the Berta legend, but the most common one is this: back in Medieval times, an astronomer was being executed outside the Santa Maria Maggiore for witchcraft. Before he died, he claimed that he made a pact with the devil that would spare his life if he simply received a sip of water. He called out to a woman nearby for a drink, but she refused. As he died, the astronomer cursed the selfish woman, and her face now sits forever on the side of the church.

“Florence has a cultural legacy that’s ginormous, it’s gigantic,” said Binarelli. “And, instead of just learning from the readings, from the materials, [the students] have the possibility to see that with their eyes, to make it real… you’re talking about the building, the Renaissance, you can see life with your eyes, the importance of it, and how it’s still part of the community.”

After seeing the Berta, the class took a detour to Mercato Centrale to grab some lunch and recharge for the final stretch of the walk. Visiting the lively market with hundreds of people completing their daily shopping reinforced Binarelli’s point; while Florence is thought of as an ancient city, its history intermingles with the citizens living here today. These legends would have no meaning without the current-day Florentines recounting them and giving them new life.

The final stop of the class was the Basilica San Lorenzo, just south of Mercato Centrale. Binarelli used this last opportunity to educate his students on the history of Florence’s most important family, the Medicis. He told the tale of Lorenzo and Giuliano, a pair of Medici brothers who were attacked by the rival Pazzi family. Lorenzo survived the plot, but the younger Giuliano was not so lucky. Generations of Medicis are buried at Basilica San Lorenzo, the brothers Giuliano and Lorenzo.

Crime and Mystery History Walks is just one of many walking tour classes offered at FUA. These courses offer students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the Renaissance city as they learn the intricacies of its history. Peculiar sights like the Berta and the perpetually open window at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata are the types of little oddities that normally go unnoticed by the average tourist but give the city its personality for those who know about them.

A Gift to Ourselves

written by Paula Simon Borja & Savvy Sleevar for SPEL: Journalism

Known for its abundance of Renaissance masterpieces, striking statuary, and colorfully graffitied buildings, Florence is a city synonymous with art. Creative energy runs wild here, and that energy is exactly what Livia Sturlese Tosi hopes students at Florence University of the Arts - The American University of Florence (FUA-AUF) can channel as they adjust to life abroad.

Sturlese Tosi, FUA’s school counselor, leads recurring art therapy seminars, a Student Life & Development extracurricular that’s open to all students in search of a creative outlet. With a background in education, psychology, and communication, Tosi runs these sessions with a vision of helping students connect with their emotions and each other through intuitive drawing.

After using art therapy in her work with adolescents years ago, Tosi learned firsthand how transformative it can be to communicate through art. “When words fail, art speaks,” Tosi says, pointing out how visual expression can capture those complex emotions we sometimes struggle to put into words. And with that knowledge, Tosi’s goal now is to cultivate an inviting space for FUA-AUF students to express themselves — a place without any judgment, stress, or academic pressure.

For the students who stepped into the Excelsior Room in Via Ricasoli, 21 on Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m., they were greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Art supplies covered the far table, and serene music filled the space once everyone settled in.

Sturlese Tosi explains that she conducts art therapy with a focus on what she called “emotional literacy”, which involves a three-phase process. First, participants are encouraged to relax and concentrate. It is not an art class; the drawings should emerge naturally and automatically after a moment of emotional connection where you feel the urge to express your feelings through painting.

Art supplies cover the tables in the Excelsior Room at Via Ricasoli, 21 in Florence. With scores of markers and colored pencils within reach, FUA-AUF students attending an art therapy seminar that evening were encouraged to draw whatever came to mind. (Photo/Savvy Sleevar)

The second phase is all about expressing yourself with lines and colors. The third phase involves approaching those shapes and colors as if you were interpreting a dream. This is where you uncover the message, the hidden emotions, and the paths to answer your questions. This last phase, known as "communication with the product," is the most important part of the process.

Right before students begin to fill their blank pages with color, she concludes by noting, "This is a moment that you deserve, that you dedicate to yourself; a gift to you,” she says. “Not to me, to you." In the beginning, the students might feel a bit unsure of how to express their feelings. Slowly but surely, though, their creative visions start to take shape.

Sturlese Tosi reassures the group that during these seminars, what they choose to create is up to them. “This is a space where you can be yourself,” she says. With each movement, students begin to share their thoughts and fears through their art. Tosi then opens up the room for group discussion; she guides participants as they delve into the stories behind their creations, allowing them to explore and share their emotions in a supportive setting.

During the first seminar of the semester, students were unsure of how to share their art, Tosi notes. However, by the second meeting, the atmosphere transformed dramatically. Students arrived with more confidence, eager to show their work and engage with one another. “It’s incredible to see the shift,” Tosi says. “Art has a way of breaking down barriers and creating connections.”

The structure of each seminar varies, keeping the experience fresh. Tosi often incorporates elements of mindfulness, guiding students through brief meditation and breathing exercises to help them center themselves before creating art. This practice encourages a deeper connection to their emotions, allowing them to express feelings that may have been buried beneath the surface.

In upcoming seminars, Tosi plans to introduce some new elements to the activity. To further inspire creativity among students, Tosi says she wants to show a selection of different images, hoping to spark specific emotions that participants can channel in their drawings.

Tosi describes art therapy as a “gift to ourselves,” a rare chance to relax in our hectic world. Despite the pressure to constantly be productive that often weighs heavily on students’ shoulders, the activity encourages them to slow down, embracing moments of stillness and creativity. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to simply be. For students in the midst of stressful moments, the act of creating art becomes a form of self-care. It offers them a chance to truly connect with themselves and, with the help of some markers and colored pencils, express themselves freely.

A variety of colored pencils rest in their roll-up case in the Excelsior Room, ready for students to use in their interpretive drawings. During the art therapy seminar, a recurring Student Life & Development event at FUA-AUF, students created plants, animals, and abstract patterns on their sheets of drawing paper. (Photo/Savvy Sleevar)

Specialty Breads: Flatbreads, Pizza, and Rolls

written by Jaye Conn for SPEL: Public Relations

In the Fall semester of 2024, I enrolled in the Specialty Breads: Flatbreads, Pizza, and Rolls class. I expected a course on how to bake bread, but what I did not expect was a deep dive into the history, culture, and significance behind baked goods in Italy. What I also did not expect was how practical the course would be, especially after just three weeks of classes.

My professor, Chef Grammatico, began each class by presenting a lecture, in which we would be introduced to a type of traditional Italian bread. We were taught three elements essential to each type of bread: its development, the ingredients, and how to make it.

We would first learn about the fascinating historical context in which the bread was developed. For example, Grissini, or classic Italian breadsticks, were made for Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy when he fell ill. His bakers were instructed to produce a food that he could eat in spite of his lost appetite. The bakers produced Grissini, a thin, crunchy, and dry breadstick that could be eaten by Duke Vittorio. These breadsticks became a staple in Tuin, and quickly gained popularity around Europe and eventually around the world.

We would next discuss the importance of specific ingredients in Italian culinary arts. Italy is known for its quality products, and we learned why in this course. Pane Gran Prato, for example, uses a specific type of wheat flour grown only in the cereal areas in the province of Prato. The farmers in the area who produce GranPrato flour cannot exceed the amount of nitrogen fertilizers they use to ensure the quality of this wheat. The wheat is ground into flour using a stone mill at a certain time since its harvesting to create the perfect Prato Flour. The original Prato bread recipe has been passed down through generations. The saltless flavour perfectly accompanies Tuscan foods, and it’s square shape is widely recognized as Prato bread.

Many students may lose interest in the lecture portion of a class, but we were all fascinated by these lessons, especially because we knew we would be making and sampling these products. The final step in class was to bake the products we had learned about. Wearing our chef’s uniforms, we would use the high-quality ingredients provided to us to bake in the kitchen. While unfamiliar at first, all the students quickly became familiar with a professional kitchen. We learned the different methods of measuring ingredients, kneading and shaping dough, and finally baking out bread. Tasting our bread at the end of class was rewarding and filling.

My Breads of Italy class was more than informative. I left the class with a new skill each day. Even after over a month since the class has ended, I still make bread using my new skills multiple times a week. I also have a new appreciation for high-quality Italian ingredients. We learned about farming, harvesting, and processing techniques that have taught me to appreciate every step of making food. Although I have now become more selective with the ingredients I use and the food I eat, I would highly recommend this class to anyone. The practical baking skills are well worth the commitment, and the additional appreciation for the culinary arts is the icing on top of the… bread!

A Look Inside FUA’s Classrooms: Social Media and SPEL Public Relations

written by Ava Lees for SPEL: Public Relations

As an FUA student, there are an abundance of courses offered to suit a student's interest and needs. In my semester abroad, I’ve taken a few courses and will highlight two of those in this article to give an idea of what FUA classes are like!

I am a strategic communications major, so when I chose my courses for this semester, I tried to find ones that would fit my interest and provide credit for my graduation. In this search I found two classes that I was especially drawn to. The first of which was a course on Social Media. This course, taught by Alex Klein, who is the social media coordinator at FUA, covers social media. From the history of how social media began to how using social media can grow a brand, the class gives students a tool to better understand how social media can be used to market to many different demographics.

Like many courses at FUA, this class gives students the opportunity to learn by doing. As part of the class, we as students attend Palazzi Community Center events, which are events run and organized by FUA that allow for students to work on events that cater towards a more local demographic through events like book readings, film presentations, and art exhibitions.

As social media students, we are divided into groups and attend these events to gather content. We all take photos and videos and after the event, group members who were not at the event create captions, edit photos, and use video content to make reels that are then submitted and potentially posted to the real Palazzi Community Center account.

This allows for us students to have our work posted on real social media accounts and gain experience in creating this content. On weeks without community center events, we have alternative assignments such as creating a day in the life reel or blog, taking a walk through Florence and gathering content for interesting posts, and visiting famous Florence locations like the Santa Croce Christmas Market to create interesting and engaging content.

This class is a great way for students to learn more about how to use social media as a tool. My class is made up of all different majors and all of us will be able to walk away knowing that we have experience in creating content on social media and with reels and photos that we can use in a portfolio.

For me, a perfect pairing for this class is my other course for the semester, which is a SPEL Public Relations course. SPEL stands for special project experiential learning and in this course, I work alongside FUA staff to help with tasks relating to public relations. This has included giving tours to visiting university and program delegates, attending events and welcoming guests, writing press releases and blogs, and more.

Alongside the social media class, this SPEL course has given me as a student real life experience that will contribute to my portfolio and resume while also teaching me things outside of a traditional classroom. It is similar to an internship in the States but provides the credits that a typical class would, making it an interesting option for students who prefer to learn by doing.

Both of these FUA courses are great options for students studying abroad who want to make the most of their experiences. FUA offers many amazing and unique courses but for students interested in social media, marketing, or public relations, these are two amazing options!

Past Meets Present for FUA’s Movie Night

written by Paula Simon Borja & Jack Wardynski for SPEL: Journalism

Florence University of the Arts students gathered at Corso Tintori 21 for a screening of the popular 2023 Italian film C’è Ancora Domani. Popcorn and soda were served in the notorious Sala Rosa as students settled in for a night of good cinema.

C’è Ancora Domani, directed by Paola Cortellesi, is one of the biggest Italian-language films in recent years. The story is set in post-World War southern Italy and follows a mother named Delia as she struggles to keep her life and family in order while suffering serious domestic abuse at the hands of her husband, Ivano. As Italian women first gain the right to vote, and with a crucial election coming up that will determine the future of the nation, Delia envisions a better life for herself, if she only has the courage to attain it.

“I think it's important to uncover this part of, sometimes, what it means to be a woman,” said Allyson Cousino, Assistant Dean of Students and one of the organizers of the student life event. “Or how gender is understood and the power dynamics in a culture and how that impacts women in particular. And I think to have a space where these conversations can be something that's discussed openly is important.”

Alongside that, the film gives students living in Italy the opportunity to enrich their knowledge of its profile, both cultural and historical. Exposure to a piece of contemporary Italian culture like C’è Ancora Domani gives students a sense for what current-day Italians look for in their art and popular culture. The historical setting and subject matter of the film provides them context for how Italy became the country they see today. Even beyond that, Sala Rosa, with its beautiful Renaissance paintings and classical architecture, takes students even further back in time, and subconsciously creates the links in their minds of centuries of historical legacy that led up to the modern day.

“I love movies, and I'm always interested in foreign cinema. Obviously Italian. And it deals with a very, very interesting subject,” said Alex Clark, a Finance & English Literature student who attended the screening. “Students should come out to more things like this, you never know what you're going to find. You can never get a bad experience from trying something new like this.”

Promoting cinema-going has been a major point of emphasis in Italy in recent years. With the rise of streaming services like Netflix, combined with the closing of theaters during the pandemic in 2020, attendance at movie theaters has dipped considerably. While the numbers are rebounding gradually, they are still far from the peaks seen over a decade ago. This trend is not exclusive to Italy; across the globe, going to the movies has become much less prevalent in culture. Events like this film screening put on by the Student Life Department at FUA can be useful for reigniting people’s passion for seeing films in a theater again.

This semester, FUA has prioritized discussions of diversity and inclusion in the student events that it hosts. In October, an IREOS discussion group seeked to empower LGBTQ+ students both in Florence and beyond, and a film like C’è Ancora Domani promotes awareness of issues like misogyny and domestic violence that are still prevalent in Italy today. Even though the movie is a historical fiction drama filmed in black-and-white, it proves its relevance to those living in the modern day.

“I think, in general the hope is with these events that we get student feedback and input. That we want to be able to create events that are of interest to students or topics that students are interested in. So I think for students to know also that there's a two-way conversation in event creation. That we want to involve you all. And that's really why the diversity and inclusion series is going on this semester. Because of student input from the spring. So this has kind of been a result,” said Cousino.

FUA students are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the latest news on events held by the Student Life Department. The gatherings provide not only an opportunity to connect more with fellow students studying abroad, but also the chance to connect with the country of Italy on a more significant level.

Family Matters: Students Look Back on Italian Family Club Experiences

written by Savvy Sleevar for SPEL: Journalism

Back in the United States, Endicott College student Lilliana Kyle is an only child, but here in Italy, she has a sister.

Through Italian Family Club, a community-focused activity open to students at Florence University of the Arts (FUA), Kyle spent some of her fall semester abroad with a Florentine mother and daughter. With this family, she gained a firsthand look at everyday life and local culture in her host city.

Kyle, a junior at Endicott, came to FUA to study hospitality and music, with her sights set on Italian Family Club before ever setting foot in Florence. “I had a friend of a friend who came back (to Endicott) in the spring from this exact program, and she told me about it and recommended it, knowing I was coming to Florence,” she says. “So I was really excited to learn about it since basically around the beginning of [last] spring semester.”

Alongside other interested students, Kyle attended an informational session back in September, and she submitted her Italian Family Club application shortly after. As the university’s Student Life & Development (SLD) team worked to match students with interested local families, Kyle and other applicants were interviewed ahead of their placement.

Kyle was optimistic heading into her interview, despite some nerves. “I knew that I had a good, decent chance… I have a welcoming presence, is what I’ve been told,” she said. “However, I can be introverted sometimes, so I was very nervous about that.”

Ultimately, her interview was a success. “The people at FUA are very nice, so I felt very comfortable already, being interviewed,” Kyle notes. “And it felt like a conversation as opposed to being talked at.”

In October, Kyle met her Italian family, then-16-year-old Irene and her mother, Daniela, for the very first time. This initial meeting was, admittedly, a little awkward. “I was extremely nervous, didn’t know what to say or do; I just kind of came up with the most random small talk I could,” Kyle recalls. As Kyle broke the ice with her new Italian mother and sister, though, their cross-cultural bond began to grow.

Throughout the semester, Kyle and her Italian family spent time together around the city, but some of the FUA student’s favorite moments with them were at their house. “We’ve had some good movie nights and some nice dinners that I’ve really enjoyed,” Kyle says. “They’ve been nice enough to make dinner to show me about the food that they really love … I really wanted to learn about them, and that was a perfect way to do it.”

Among other foods, Kyle got to taste panettone, a traditional sweet bread, with her Italian family. “I know 100% that I would not have been exposed to the foods that they’ve taught me about, especially the traditional foods for holidays.” She joked that it must have been funny for Irene and Daniela to show her panettone in November, even though the traditional treat is usually enjoyed during Christmas.

In addition to Italian cuisine, Kyle’s Italian Family Club experience gave her insights into Italian culture and daily life.

“My specialty is observing, so this is my goal for Italian culture, like, I want to observe everything,” Kyle notes. With an Italian family around, her observation of local culture is enhanced even further.

“Seeing the interaction between a local and other locals is really interesting,” she says. “Because yes, I see them on the street sometimes, but they [my Italian family] inform me what they are talking about, and so I’m like Oh, okay, so that’s what that kind of interaction looks like.”

On top of local interactions, Kyle also got to see how her American family members interacted with the Florentine community. When her mother and uncle came to Florence to visit midway through the semester, Kyle introduced her American family to her Italian one.

“The interaction was really fun,” Kyle says. “My side and their side were very nice to each other, and although there wasn’t a lot of talking … it was still very nice because we got to learn about each other, and we did learn more about each other’s cultures.”

At the end of her semester in Italy, Kyle reflected on her unique second family and how it helped mold her Florentine experience. “It’s a little awkward sometimes still, but it’s still a good way to get out of our comfort zones and get a better sense of other people's lives,” Kyle says. “I think it’s important to take the step to learn about the culture through a local perspective.”

To learn more about Italian Family Club, send an email to the SLD office at sld-studentservives@florencecampus.org for information on how to get involved in one of FUA’s most immersive cultural activities.

Blending Magazine Celebrates Giacomo Puccini

Blending Magazine’s Fall 2024 edition is now online! We are thrilled to present the latest issue of Blending Magazine, dedicated to the centennial of Giacomo Puccini's death and honoring the enduring legacy of one of Italy's greatest opera composers. Each article in this issue has been thoughtfully curated to celebrate the life and timeless works of the Tuscan maestro.

In these pages, students have captured the essence of Puccini’s extraordinary life and work. From the innovative operatic techniques that redefined the genre, to the universal themes of love, loss, and redemption that continue to captivate audiences, this issue delves deep into the enduring magic of his compositions. You’ll explore how Puccini’s operas have influenced cinema, fashion, and even modern interpretations of storytelling. There’s even a nod to his legacy in contemporary food and wine, proving once again that Puccini’s artistry extends far beyond the opera stage.

It has been an honor to work with students to curate this tribute to one of Italy’s most celebrated composers. Each article and visual element was thoughtfully crafted to reflect Puccini’s lasting impact on global culture, as seen through the lens of our student’s creative minds.

So, sit back and let the music of Puccini’s life and legacy sweep you away. Step into the grandeur of La Bohème, the passion of Tosca, and the heartbreak of Madama Butterfly as we celebrate a true icon of timeless art. Click here to read the latest issue!

Happy Reading,

The Blending Staff