My View!

Feedback on ResGrad Activities
I have been able to participate in many of the gatherings that Amy, Audra and Rocky have hosted. I would like to take this opportunity to say that these events have been so much fun! Not only are they educational, but they are a great way to meet new people and see many great things. With this I would like to say Thank You to all of you. Thank you for thinking of us!! Your work is greatly appreciated!

Resident Student
Fall 2006

I would like to take the time to applaud the new resident life aspect of AUR. The cultural nights with Amy and Audra have been very rewarding. As a transfer student, perhaps if my other university had had a program such as this, I would have stayed. I experienced the Italian cooking lesson, gelato chocolate, and coffee tour, and "Under the Tuscan Sun" movie night. Learning how to make pasta the Italian style, finding the best gelato in Roma, and further notice the Italian dream of Americans by Hollywood to relate it to real day to day living in Italy, were all wonderful experiences for me. Coming to Italy, I had many concerns of the credibility of my chosen university, how fast I will adapt on the way of life and language, and also how long it will take me to learn all there is to know as a foreigner. One particular day, I was feeling exhausted from a long day of class, missing my family and my dad's cooking, and confused with some of the prior thoughts of my friends, whether or not to indeed decide to stay here for three years. Will I be able to take the graffiti, traffic cacophony, and lack of a hearty breakfast? Will I ever grasp the Italian language and understand more than 3 words? Will I ever find a balance between work and play, time for gelato and a time for mopping, and time to start my research paper between all the new cultural nuances? Will I ever figure out where to buy a stamp and where the real teens here hang out instead of Campo di Fiori? A renaissance of good ideas, feelings that I was doing the right thing, and thoughts that I was indeed where I should be overcame me when I was at their AUR apartment, learning about different olives, how to make bucatini, and finally experiencing one of those long and filling Italian meals between friends. Amy, Audra, and Rocky gave us advice of all types, which was even more valuable since it came from real AUR graduates. They shared stories and made us feel welcome in the city and school. They taught us about the cultural confusions on the origin of bucatini, how to taste a good glass of wine, and gave us samples of cheeses and olives that I had never tasted. All of a sudden, I was encouraged to learn as much as possible in my current surroundings. I fell in love with the idea of staying here, and the confusions dissipated. I was given strength through their success at being educated American ambassadors in Rome. Over all, I felt relieved with my choice to stay and graduate at AUR from here on this night. Thank you for this program for it has affected me personally.

Resident Student
Fall 2006

My View's From Past Semesters

Cooking classes
All AUR students can choose to take cooking courses with a professional American Chef specialized in Italian cuisine. Chef Dana organizes classes in her own kitchen for small groups of students at a student price. A course normally consists of 4 separate classes each with a special theme.

For more information, check out Dana’s website www.bluaugergine.com

“To be able take a cooking class while at AUR proved to be a very interesting component of my study abroad experience. While exploring various regional cuisines, we were given a taste and the keys to truly getting a distinct taste of Italy!”

Davis Godbout
Study Abroad Fall 2005
Broome

Community service at Caritas

One builds up many expectations and sets many goals before leaving on a trip (especially if one is going to be studying abroad for four moths), but never did I think or include in my plans an experience such as doing community service in a hostel for the homeless in Rome. When Hanna said during orientation that there was a volunteer opportunity for any of those who where interested it immediately sparked my attention but little did I know it was going to be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

The experience was more than gratifying, going back there week after week not only gave me the immersion I was looking for, it also allowed me to see a face of Rome that a typical traveler has no access too. I do not regret having gotten involved! I absolutely loved the experience and recommend it to anyone. The people at the hostel are all extremely nice and go out of their way to make you feel welcomed. If you are like me, you will be crying when its time to finally go home L! They do a labor of love and love is felt all over. Volunteers of all shapes and sizes work together to help those that need it the most. It is an amazing feeling for me to be able to go back home and know that I helped make a difference. Moreover, I established bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime. I definitely feel I am leaving a part of me behind. I’m grateful to AUR, especially Student Services, for these wonderful memories. THANK YOU!

Anibel Cuello
Study Abroad Spring 2005
CCIS

As my first time leaving the country, Rome and The American University of Rome have been one of the best experiences of my life! There is always something going on here and friendly people at student services that will show you where to go to have a good time. The professors also have really tried to reach out and get to know me as a person. It is not uncommon for students to sit with a professor at the local bar to get a cappuccino. Also, the diversity of this school is unmatched, my home school of Robert Morris University claims to be diverse by having students from every state and seven foreign countries. Being at AUR I have met people from all of the European countries and some African and Middle Eastern countries, along with people from the States. After going back home it will be nice to know whatever country I visit, I will probably have a friend to contact, and when you’re in foreign countries, friendly faces can be invaluable!

Chad Van Horn
Study Abroad Fall 2004
Robert Morris University

My name is Rashidat Odeyemi. I was a study abroad student fall 2004. I really enjoyed my time here because of the great student services team of the university. They planned some wonderful trips and activities that helped me to make some new friends, take a break from my roommates, and have time to hang out with the other students from my home school. The people in student services are helpful with all the possible questions you could have about Rome from how to cure swollen and excessive bites to translating the names of art supplies from English to Italian. They also spared no expense in having the best for their students. They allowed my mother to participate in the trip to Pompeii and we stayed in beautiful hotels where the head boards were trimmed in gold, paint that is. Thanks soo much Hanna and Stefano for making my study abroad experience to Rome a memorable one…
Rashidat Odeyemi
Study Abroad Fall 2004
Philadelphia University

Under the Tuscan Sun (How Could One NOT Borrow the Title...)

One of the wonderful things about studying at AUR is that no matter how frustrating the week of classes may be, there are incredible weekend excursions to look forward to. The weekend of June 12-14, I experienced one of these adventures, spending my time in the gorgeous region of Tuscany. Melissa and I raced out of the apartment fifteen minutes later than planned and in a flurry made it up the 147 stairs as well as the consequent hill to school. Luckily we were able to include a quick shot of espresso before boarding the bus of overwhelming American tourists disguised as students. After a few hours, we arrived at Fattoria del Colle, a winery in the midst of the rolling hills of Tuscany. It was every bit as beautiful as any movie could capture and more. We spent the first part of the day touring the winery, which also serves as an "Agriturismo," which houses visitors who (for a price) can spend an entire week enjoying the local food and wine, swimming in the pool, and hiking in the glorious hills. At the end of the tour, we tasted two of the wines that make this region famous: Rosa di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino. (Montalcino, if I understood correctly from our tour, refers to the specific collection of hills where these Sangiovese grapes are harvested.) On the tour, we were shown from a spectacular viewpoint the three different areas of the land owned by the winery, on which they produce truffles, wine, and olive oil. The 2005 Rosa was a deep ruby red color due to its aging process. It had a fruity smell and seemed quite thick as it swirled within the glass. Its smell was earthy, but very bright and cherry-tasting, with a pleasantly dry finish. The 2004 Brunello was slightly darker in color, almost a brown/orange. We learned that this was due to its five-year aging process – much longer than the Rosa. It was slightly thinner but much stronger in its initial taste - much more tart and astringent. After this tasting we moved to the outdoor restaurant area, where we ate a thick tomato-cheese stew of some sort, wide pasta with tomatoes and meat, roasted chicken and potatoes, and a fruit tart. This was accompanied by two different reds- Leone Rosso 2004 (not much of an opinion- very smooth and subtle) and Centerelo, or "Cinderella." Remember the three different sections of the land? Well, this wine comes from the vineyards in the middle, and the winemakers (all women except for one) named this with two "competing" step-sisters in mind. It was buttery and rich, with lovely currant notes and a definite assertion of taste. After lunch, we participated in a made-from-scratch pasta demonstration, after which Melissa and I hiked up and down the local hills to Trequanda, where our incredible thirst and exhaustion was combated by "aqua con gas" and panna cotta gelato. Trequanda was straight out of "under the Tuscan sun" and even featured lovely old Italian men sitting outside the cafe. After a lovely walk through the vineyard and a purchase of the local Chianti, we boarded the bus for Pisa. A few hours and a movie or two later (Twilight... I do NOT recommend it... what a waste of melodramatic energy and money...) we arrived in Pisa and entered the hotel, which was a block away from the Leaning Tower. This was an incredible sight, and depending on the angle from which you are viewing it, the tower seems either minutely leaning or as if it will fall at any moment. Needless to say, Melissa and I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to get the infamous picture of one of us "pushing" the tower up. It is MUCH harder than it looks. After an evening of Ramazzotti (an incredibly warm, syrupy and slightly bitter digestivo), prosecco, and an almost entirely Italian conversation with a local 20-something, Melissa and I went back to the hotel to get at least a bit of sleep before the trip to Florence the next morning. Even earlier in the morning than one would prefer after a night of Italian-style revelry, the beauty of Florence is impossible to deny. Although quite overwhelming, after our walking tour with a local (and perfectly euro-chic) sir, I bought leather sandals, visited the Accademia Gallery, and enjoyed (while dying and going to heaven) Grom, one of the most famous gelaterias in the world. First: the markets. Florence has a concentration of shopping that, although legendary, is hard to grasp until seen. It was completely overwhelming, and although I did make one purchase I am quite proud of (previously-mentioned Italian-style sandals,) I was so flustered that I actually purchased a pair of shoes made in China due to the pressure of the atmosphere and the anxiety I let it create. However, my other two experiences (the museum and the gelato) completely made up for my ill-informed purchase of said (probably plastic) flats. I had heard that seeing the David was unlike anything else in this world, and although the description sounds a bit much, it is absolutely true. Furthermore, the gallery as a whole, which is only about five rooms in size, was one of the most incredible art experiences of my life. First of all, it houses the Medici family's collection of musical instruments, which includes a Stradivari violin that I literally teared up over. (Just in case I had forgotten that I am a huge nerd...) Secondly, there is a room filled with plaster molds of numerous sculptures depicting various people and situations of the old world. My favorite were those of the children, most notably the "girl of the turtle doves (innocence)," which was one of the more captivating (even though it was merely a plaster cast) pieces of art I have ever seen. Thirdly, Michaelangelo's sculptures and sketches were juxtaposed in a special exhibit with the photographs of Robert Mapplethorpe, exploring "the human form." I had studied Mapplethorpe and his controversial nude photographs in my art class, so this was especially exciting and inspiring. It was fascinating that the two artists, although living hundreds of years apart and in vastly different worlds, were concerned with the same parts of the human body. Beautiful.
And then there was the David. It is hard to even begin to describe the sheer beauty and impact of the incredibly detailed, captivating sculpture that reminded me so of the amazing structure of the human form. I could have looked at him for days. After the invigorating experience of the Accademia, I trekked through the city, visiting on my own the famous piazzas, narrow streets, and the Ponte Vecchio that the tour guide had shown us earlier. I made my way to Grom, which is rumored to be one of the best places in all the world to get gelato. (Florence is the home of the incredible substance; the technique was invented and developed there, and is still said to be THE city for it's enjoyment.) The line was very long, but after one bite of extra dark chocolate and "cassata siciliana" (ricotta-based with candied citrus fruits,) I was convinced that any frozen dessert experience I’d had before (gelato AND ice cream included) was indeed inferior to this orgasmic heaven. The only possible exception may have been the blackberry, cassis, and caramel sundaes with vanilla bean ice cream I enjoyed on my 19th (or was it my 18th?) birthday. A lot of ice cream consumption has occurred since, but none as remarkable as Grom. Saturday night was spent with Melissa, trying my first taste of wild boar (glorified beef stew- with salty onions and a warm sauce it was perfection) followed by more Ramazzotti. After dinner, we sat at the hotel bar and chatted with a retired British professor who was in Pisa for an educational conference. Following this lovely experience, we ventured to the hotel roof. Here we spent the rest of the night conversing with students while overlooking the beautiful leaning tower and the church next to it. Sunday was spent taking a walking tour of Pisa and shopping the street markets for incredible, mostly handmade clothing and other various goods. Also enjoyed was a wonderful risotto primavera at Salza, which our tour guide asserted was the best cafe in Pisa. The town, which was much quieter than Florence even considering its tourism, was quaint and charming, and finally offered the inspiring yet manageable shopping I was looking for. After final shots with the famed tower, we headed back to Rome. Upon arriving, I found that I had indeed missed the bustling, crowded city. And as I stepped out onto the busy cobblestone streets, I felt an invigorating, warm feeling- the kind you get when you are re-acquainted with someone lovely you haven't seen in a very long while.

Wellin Claire
Study Abroad Summer 2009
CCIS