The “looking assignment” is a typical way to evaluate students enrolled in our art history classes, which take full advantage of our presence in the Birthplace of the Renaissance.
This is one particularly creative example by Colby College English major (and art history minor) Kate Evans for her Italian Renaissance Art class this past spring semester with Professor Brown-Hedjazi.
Elena Tittel, an English and Psychology major from Skidmore College, did an internship this past semester with Franky in New York, an online platform that celebrates the bridge between Italians and Americans.
Elena’s interview with Italian-American student Sam Fortunato about reconnecting with his roots while studying in Florence was published in Franky’s newsletter and is reposted here with the kind permission of Editor-in-Chief Elena Frigenti.
The Spring of Sam, Back to the Roots by Elena Tittel
Meet Sam Fortunato, an intern at Syracuse University in Florence. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fortunato is a junior mathematics major at Syracuse University with aspirations of pursuing a teaching career.
One of the main reasons Fortunato wanted to study abroad in Florence was to connect with his Italian heritage. “My father’s side (of the family) is Italian, and my mother’s side not, but I would still call myself an Italian American,” he said. “I actually don’t really have that much conversation with my father’s side of the family. My father’s father passed when he was 22 years old, and his mom isn’t really a big part of our lives. Because of that, I’m able to come here and really connect with that side of the family.”
For Fortunato, his favorite part about being in Florence has been living with his Italian host family. “I didn’t know much Italian at all coming to Florence, and I did not expect to be able to speak or be learning (Italian). In order to communicate with (my host family), I had to learn Italian, and now my Italian is really good,” he said. “I get to eat the best food; my host father is a very, very good cook. We have a great time together and really enjoy each other. Being with them has been the experience of a lifetime.”
Other than living with a host family, another way Fortunato has been able to immerse himself into the Italian culture in Florence is through his internship. “I had the opportunity to teach some Italian kids English and some math because I’m a math major. Teaching them English has helped my Italian because I have to translate all the time,” he said. “I went there after class two days a week, and sometimes on Fridays when I was in Florence.”
Overall, Fortunato has really found himself embracing the Italian lifestyle – something he wishes he could integrate into his life back in the United States. “It’s sort of hard to do, but I really like the lifestyle in Florence, like going to the café and being able to hang out there. I really like being able to pick up some cheap food and just walk anywhere,” he said. “I do live in the city of Philadelphia, so I’m able to walk, but not like I can here.”
On April 18, Syracuse Florence Director Sasha Perugini served as a panelist for a Forum of Education Abroad webinar on Artificial Intelligence and Education Abroad.
Dr. Perugini’s research on this topic started during the pandemic. She began observing more intentionally the selection of content that was offered to her on social media platforms and reflecting on how these platforms are created to narrow us down to a few tags. She grew interested in retraining her social media algorithms so she could have more control over the content offered to her.
She began sharing her research with her students in the communications course she teaches at Syracuse Florence on cross cultural management, which is cross-listed as an international business class. While discussing their forays into the job market, she explained how search engines can vary based on geographical location and how implicit bias affects AI-driven selection of applicants.
Dr. Perugini began presenting her research to a wider audience in 2023 and is currently working on how Study Abroad can help students be more prepared for the AI-driven job market.
This past semester student intern and Syracuse communications major Charlotte Sforza got some valuable real-world experience working on social media marketing for Essère Atelier, a handmade-clothing boutique in the heart of Florence. “It was a great experience!” enthuses Charlotte.
To round out her adventure, Charlotte created this delightful magazine-style final project (click on the link to view the video features).
From developing social media content to assisting with photo shoots and video production, I honed my ability to create engaging and visually appealing campaigns.
Charlotte Sforza
On March 15, engineering professor Francesca Parotti, who teaches our class on Sustainability in Civil and Environmental Systems, gave a talk at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts in Beirut.
Held to mark Italian Design Day 2024, her presentation “Uncomfortable Earth: The Innovation of Italian Design for Sustainability” was organized by the Italian Institute of Culture in Beirut.
In addition to teaching for Syracuse Florence and other institutions, Professor Parotti serves as consultant on structural engineering, sustainable construction, and innovative materials. She has published widely on everything from bamboo to aerospace design.
Her talk focused on the role of design in combatting climate change through the use of technological innovations like intelligent materials, biomimicry, and adaptive manufacturing.
Lifelong friends Mary Jane Brock, May Humphreys Fox, and Wallis Raemer were Sweet Briar College students, class of ’70, when they spent a fall semester at the Syracuse program in Florence. That was the first time their private women’s college in Virginia had offered the chance to study in Italy.
Mary Jane, May, and Wallis have always cherished their lifechanging experience in Florence together and have returned several times over the years, including a reunion trip last fall during which they revisited the Villa Rossa. We asked them to share some of their memories.
The Journey to Italy by Ship
MJB: We sailed to Italy on the Leonardo da Vinci…what an experience that was! I have pictures of May shooting skeet on the deck. We were in Cramped, Crowded, Crummy C Class of the ship but we had a blast!
First Impressions of Florence and Syracuse
WR: In my letters home I described Florence as “small, but as full of things to do and see as NYC.” I added in another letter: “What’s so great about this place is that nothing stands out, all of the great works of art are just there, subtly blending into the surroundings! I hope that they never take them out of their natural habitats for which they were created! Also, the David’s feet are huge!”
I found the Syracuse students to be very different culturally from my Southern Sweet Briar classmates. I wrote that they were “very nice, have NY accents and are super liberal. For the first time in my life I feel completely different – never such an individual – I am definitely the oddball. And, actually, it is rather fun!”
The Florentine Host Families
MJB: I lived with Sergio and Ilya Salvadori and their daughters Gianna and Paola. I truly felt like a member of the family and loved them dearly. We stayed in touch over the years and whenever I came back to Florence for a visit, I would go to see Sig.ra.
MHF: Living with a family made the whole experience real. In so many ways! Learning the language…understanding the culture…having a local family to show you the real Firenze, not just the tourist shops, etc., forming relationships beyond the American students. I really loved my family.
WR: I loved both of my families, and it was great to have two different experiences of Italian life. My first family was more middle class and did not own a car. There was only 1 bathroom, and I was allowed to take 2 showers a week, which I later learned was because of a water shortage. I lived on Via dei Bardi across the Arno in “an apartment that was a former palace, was fairly large and spacious, but rather dark” [from letter home]. I took the bus to Piazza Savonarola each day, which took about 20 mins. and cost 10 cents!
Director John Clark Adams
MHF: [He was a] powerful, compelling, great professor. Also very generous. He invited a number of us to his home where he also had a vineyard. We actually stomped the grapes at harvest time! I attribute my current love of opera to Dr. Adams.
Life Outside the Classroom
MHF: [I had] a wonderful Italian boyfriend who created such fun and authentic experiences for a 20 year old American college student. We, along with a number of the Syracuse group, partied and dined at local spots, traveled together around Italy, and had many a “disco night” until wee hours of the morning! I still see him every time I come to Firenze.
While in Florence, the universities were in constant sciopero [strike]. I remember clearly that the Italian students were not in classes (that is how we met so many young Italian ragazzi!) Railroads were striking; buses were striking; professors were striking…demonstrations were held. And that environment made the late 60s antiwar demonstrations in the US seem normal.
Experiential Learning
WR: Because I had already studied Renaissance art history at Sweet Briar, I was eligible to take another art history course, “13th Century Sculpture of the Duomo,” taught by the Directress of the Uffizi Gallery, Signora Becherucci. She spoke five languages but not much English, so she taught the course in Italian and someone transcribed the class notes in English. Two years after the flood, the Duomo was still closed, but the Directress had access and led us inside. She showed us the Roman temple that was discovered under the floor of the cathedral! It was amazing to see the excavation and this discovery with her!
The Start of a Lifelong Love
MJB: Love of Italy has been a constant in my life and I have seen far less of the world because of it. I always just want to go back to Italy!
MHF: This was probably my fifth return to [Florence] since 1968. I will always love it…In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Then and Now
MHF: I would not have recognized Piazza Savonarola #15. Not sure that was because of my memory or because it has changed so much. Obviously, the Villa was only big enough for about 40 students in 1968. The program has now expanded to over 300 students and includes even a graduate degree. Wow! It was so impressive.
Now every foreign tourist in the world seems to want to visit [Florence]. That is both good and bad; good for the economics of tourism but bad because the streets are overrun with people who do not really live there. The Centro is no longer the heart of the city; it is the heart of the tourism industry. The Oltrarno is much better but even the Piazza Santa Spirito area is losing its charm. That was not the case in 1968. We, as US students, were totally enshrined by the heart of the Centro and its local residents. Speaking English we were totally in the minority. We were gawked at like a foreign species.
Also, we could visit all areas of Tuscany and Rome…by hitchhiking…yes, we hitchhiked everywhere to get from town to town or city to city. Can you imagine doing that in today’s environment??
MJB: [John Clark Adams] certainly seems to have laid a strong foundation for this Syracuse program. The school appears to be thriving, I was delighted to witness that and to revisit my long ago past.
Don’t Make Me Leave
MHF: I pondered the notion of not coming back to finish my college career at Sweet Briar (I actually discussed that option in my diary!). I am sure many of the students shared that same imagination.
WR: Like May I also did not want to return to Sweet Briar after my experience in Florence at Syracuse, and had hoped to stay for the rest of the year, which we were told at the beginning was a possibility, but which was not permitted. It was very hard to return to Sweet Briar, but at least I felt more content, that I had seen a different part of the world. I was a changed person, socially, culturally, and intellectually.
Life After the Syracuse Florence Program
MJB: Let me remind you that women were just beginning to think in terms of careers, particularly women in single-sex colleges in the South. We didn’t have a career counselor at Sweet Briar and the general path forward was a job until you met someone to marry. We three all came to NYC together and I had a job in banking, May worked at Planned Parenthood and Wallis was in education. And we all three met men that we married! However, let me say that we all have had extremely interesting and varied “career” paths throughout our lives.
WR: I remain very grateful for my Florence experience and education, and believe that the biggest take away was learning empathy. The experience of living in foreign culture with a family, not knowing the language and customs, and experiencing what it is like to be on the outside, “the other,” taught me empathy for others, the most valuable life lesson of all.
The shadow of Florence’s cathedral dome is a far cry from the inner-city neighborhood where Syracuse senior Jean Castilla got his start. Raised by Panamanian parents in East New York, Brooklyn, Jean became the first member of his family to go to college thanks to a determined, entrepreneurial spirit that emerged early on.
The first stop on Jean’s rise to the top was Breakthrough New York, an educational support program for talented kids from low-income backgrounds. Next was a spot at the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College, ranked as New York’s #1 high school. Now, he is concluding a degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises at Syracuse’s Whitman School of Management while balancing military service in the Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing.
Outside the classroom, Jean has acquired work experience trading on foreign markets and doing cybersecurity for Paramount+. He’s also been active on campus as a student liaison for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs where he helped to found the student-led group SALSA.
How did you secure a scholarship to come abroad to Florence?
By simply applying and my GPA and achievements spoke for themselves. The supportive academic environment, along with the OVMA office’s encouragement, led me to be selected for the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Florence Study Abroad Program under the mentorship of Director of Veteran Services Jennifer Pluta and Deputy Director Dwayne Anthony Murray. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
What do you enjoy the most about the Syracuse Florence program?
How it immerses me in the local culture. The food here is amazing. Compared to the hustle and bustle of New York City, Florence’s quiet neighborhoods offer a peaceful escape. Plus, the people are friendly and always willing to lend a hand or share a story. And let’s not forget the scenery—every street feels like a work of art.
It’s been an unforgettable experience, filled with delicious food, warm encounters, and breathtaking views that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime. Moreover, the ease of commuting and traveling internationally to nearby countries adds an exciting dimension. I’m particularly fond of how this city combines its small size with rich culture, history, and traditions—it’s truly a gem.
What lessons will you bring home with you from your experience abroad?
The lessons I’ll bring home are invaluable. Firstly, I’ve learned the importance of embracing new cultures and stepping out of my comfort zone. Living in Florence has taught me to appreciate diversity and understand different perspectives, fostering empathy and open-mindedness.
Secondly, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of independence and adaptability. Navigating life in a foreign country, from language barriers to unfamiliar customs, has honed my problem-solving skills and resilience, empowering me to face challenges with confidence.
My time abroad has also highlighted the significance of seizing opportunities and making the most of every moment. Whether it’s exploring historic landmarks or sampling local cuisine, I’ve learned to embrace spontaneity and live in the present, cherishing each experience as it comes.
Lastly, my experience abroad has reinforced the importance of global citizenship and interconnectedness. Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds has underscored our shared humanity and the value of fostering connections across borders, reminding me of the importance of empathy, compassion, and collaboration in our interconnected world.
Overall, my time in Florence has been transformative, equipping me with invaluable life lessons that will continue to shape my personal and professional journey long after I return home.
Professor Patricia Lurati, who teaches our History of Fashion class, served on the committee that selected pieces to display at Florence’s newly reopened Museum of Costume and Fashion, located on the 2nd floor of the Pitti Palace.
Founded in 1983, it’s the first Italian state museum devoted to the history of fashion and its social importance. Its 12 rooms are open again to the public with a new display that includes over 50 dresses like Mario Fortuny’s cloak-kimono for “divine” Italian actress Eleonora Duse, Chanel’s flapper tunic, and Jean-Paul Gauthier’s black sheath worn by Madonna.
Lurati also participated in the round table discussion held for the museum’s reopening along with Uffizi Director Eike Schmidt.
During the Fall 23 semester, Syracuse student Qianzhen Li was assigned to take photographs of the student experience at the Syracuse Abroad center in Florence. Read more about Li and his photography internship at the home campus in this article on the Syracuse University website.
Please explain what this project entailed and how it came about.
I intern for the Syracuse University Marketing and Communication department’s photo team. The internship calls for photographing various student life events and experiences. Since I was spending my semester in Florence, my supervisor thought it would be nice for me to capture some aspects of student life experiences there. So they equipped me with a camera and there I was.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a fourth-year architecture student at Syracuse with a lot of interests for creativity. Painting, film, photography are all passions of mine. I am very lucky to have found this opportunity to share some of my experiences in Florence through photography.
How did doing this project affect your semester abroad?
This project allowed me to partake and witness experiences that I otherwise would not have the opportunity to. For instance, the hike through the Tuscany countryside, in Monteriggioni [part of the Syracuse Florence iExplore field trip program]. Not only was the weather beautiful for some landscape photography, but the company we kept on the trip was amazing. I was excited to learn so many things about the Tuscan stones we walked past.
What do you hope people take away from your photos?
It was my first time in Italy, and I think it is very easy to get overwhelmed by all the possibilities in a city like Florence, with all the things to look at and all the things to experience. And through my lens I wanted to share some snapshots of my experiences in Italy and tell those that are thinking about going abroad that no matter what you do, it would be a fantastic time.
Syracuse University anthropology major Ella Roerden came to Florence on the Discovery Program, meaning it was her first-ever college semester. She reflects here on her internship teaching English at a local elementary school called Madre Mazzarello in a neighborhood north-east of downtown about a 20-minute walk from SU Florence.
Madre Mazzarello is a private Catholic school formerly run by nuns that is now part of a coalition system. There are separate areas for babies and toddlers, but I spent my time with the students aged 6-9. I went there on Tuesday afternoons for two hours, spending the first seventy minutes in the third-grade classroom, assisting them with their homework. The third grade’s homework day is Tuesday, and the students often have English, Italian, math, and history or geography work. Oftentimes during that period students were not on their best behavior for the teacher present, but I was usually able to help maintain some semblance of order and worked often with kids one-on-one to help keep them on task.
For the last fifty minutes of my Tuesday shift, I joined my site supervisor, the English teacher Chiara, in one of the second-grade classes. We would usually lead the kids through a few pages from the workbook, working through it together on the board. The school’s English curriculum includes a lot of audio and video components, and some craft options to keep the children engaged learning English at such a young age. The second graders were usually pretty well behaved for us and were fun to work with.
On Thursdays, I went to the school for three hours, but it was a bit different than Tuesdays. I arrived at the school in time for the group lunch, with all five classes and the other teachers in the cafeteria, what they call the “canteen.” When I walked in, students would flag me down to sit at their table. Occasionally, they would ask me questions in English, and that happened more and more frequently as the weeks went on. It was really nice to be able to see the kids interact in a less academic setting.
After lunch was recess. The kids would go out to the school yard with some of the teachers, and I joined them. Sometimes kids would invite me to play with them or talk to them or watch them do something, and it was very fun to feel accepted and appreciated by them. After recess, I joined English teacher Chiara in the first-grade class. It was often a bit more challenging, because the first graders are the youngest and there are also two extreme troublemakers in that class, with no teaching assistants other than me.
After the hour in first grade, Chiara and I went to the third grade, which was always the best. Unlike in their homework period on Tuesdays, they behaved really well for Chiara in English lessons. Because they’re the oldest of the kids that I worked with and they’re the ones I spent the most time with, I got to know most of them really well and they spoke the most to me in English. I made strong connections with some of them, which I’m really happy about, and I hope that I’ve been a positive influence on their educational experience.
The third grade specifically has an important mandated English exam at the end of the school year, which is partly why Chiara wanted me to spend the most time with them, to practice with a native English speaker. Chiara and I did some mini lessons about how holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving are celebrated in America. For first and second grade it was mostly coloring, whereas in third grade I was able to explain more and show them some things because they have a higher level of English comprehension.
My birthday fell on a day that I went to the internship, and I let my supervisor know in advance, so when I arrived to the third grade that day, I was greeted with the kids all shouting “happy birthday” and running up to hug me (and then all of them continued saying it to me for the rest of the time I was there), and when I got to the second grade, they all sang the happy birthday song (in English) to me! It was very sweet and made me feel very appreciated. I loved getting to know the kids over the course of the semester, and some of the other teachers too. I was very satisfied with my internship, and I am so glad I did it!
