Northwestern econ major Mary Kate Tracy, who is studying at Syracuse Florence this fall, found out about the Firenze Marathon from her friend who is studying in Madrid and came to run the race with her. It was the 39th edition of a classic race that takes place on the last Sunday in November. “It was pretty cold in the morning, but overall pretty ideal running conditions,” says Mary.
She was surprised by how many people were there. In fact, Mary was among some 8000 runners, many who came from abroad for what has become one of the 20 most important marathons in the world.
The flat, entirely asphalted 26-mile course is particularly attractive to participants for all the natural and human-made beauty that surrounds them. “The route was so pretty,” says Mary. “It was so cool to go by all the Florentine monuments.”
It was Mary’s first marathon, and she was very happy with her time of 3 hours and 47 minutes. “I loved it! It was so much fun.”
I’m originally from Southern California’s Santa Clarita Valley.
What led you to join the military?
I chose to join the U.S. Coast Guard out of a deep-seated desire to serve my country and community.
What did you do and how long did you serve?
I have proudly served in the Coast Guard for 11 years and plan to continue this commitment. This path reflects my dedication and professional commitment.
How did that experience affect your life?
Serving in the Coast Guard has been a transformative journey for me. It has profoundly enhanced my understanding of humanitarian efforts, especially during critical times like the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Is there a connection between your service and your education?
My military career has been instrumental in my educational journey, significantly supported by resources and guidance from the Coast Guard and the Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), and I have to thank the Daniel D’Aniello Foundation.
What are you studying?
Cyber Security. In my career, I’ve developed a strong interest in policy and intellectual property regarding technology, with a focus on cybersecurity, which has directed my academic pursuits in this vital field.
Marisa (far left) with the other 3 scholarship recipients at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
How did your study abroad experience come about?
My academic journey took an exciting turn when I became a part-time online student at Syracuse University in 2021. The supportive academic environment, along with the OVMA office’s encouragement, led me to be selected for the Daniel D’Aniello Study Abroad Program under the mentorship of Deputy Director Dwayne Anthony Murray. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
What are you enjoying the most about your semester in Florence?
I am professionally immersing myself in Italian culture and daily life. I am benefiting greatly from the unique perspectives of the teaching staff, cultural exposure, language, adaptability, and diverse experiences of my fellow students.
Jacopo Bertone on graduation day at Syracuse University in the US
Professor Tulia Gattone, who teaches Globalization, Development, and the Environment, and Jacopo Bertone, who assists our Student Life Office, have an edge over their fellow Italian colleagues here at Syracuse Florence: they have both studied at Syracuse University in New York.
They also both work with our Discovery Florence students, who spend the first semester of their undergraduate career here in Italy. The time Bertone and Gattone spent as international students in America gives them a unique, helpful perspective on our students’ experience living in Florence. We asked them to tell us more.
Where are you from originally?
Bertone: I am originally from Bagno a Ripoli [a suburb of Florence], but I was raised in Varese from the time I was 6.
Gattone: I was born and raised in a charming little village nestled at the base of the Majella mountain in the Abruzzo region.
Please tell us how you came to study at Syracuse University in the US.
Bertone: I studied at SU USA because talent scouts from the rowing team contacted me at a World Championship I competed at for the Italian National Team. They offered me a scholarship to row for them so I said, “why not.”
Gattone: My journey to Syracuse University commenced during my exchange program at Dartmouth College. The discovery of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs prompted my application, culminating in the receipt of a substantial scholarship for my graduate studies—an unforeseen stroke of fortune.
What did you study there and what was your favorite thing about the experience?
Bertone: I studied Political Science (International Law) at Maxwell and Communication at VPA. My favorite “thing” was the community around SU. It’s much more patriotic than it is in Italy, and the feeling of belonging is incomparable. I mean…find me an Italian university with a 70,000-seat stadium for their athletics teams!
Gattone: At the Maxwell School, I pursued a Master of Arts in International Relations, complemented by a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Security Studies at the current Institute for Security Policy and Law. The allure lay in the intellectually stimulating classes, distinguished faculty, and the collective spirit of the student body.
Tulia Gattone while studying in Syracuse, NY
Any funny stories about cultural differences, things that surprised you, things you did not expect?
Bertone: I remember than since I did not speak much slang when I first landed in the US, I thought the concept of “hanging out” was to hang things out of the dorm window. It took me months to realize why so many people hung out all the time but I did not see anything out of the windows!
Gattone: A humorous anecdote emerges from a dinner I hosted, misinterpreting the cultural nuance of timing. Assuming a casual “aperitivo,” I found my American guests anticipating a full-fledged dinner, leading to a delightful mishap.
How might other Italians benefit from studying in the US?
Bertone: I think that everyone should try to have an international experience. You find out about another culture that you might resonate with more than your own, or you gain a different perspective that helps you appreciate “home” more.
Gattone: Recommending the US educational experience to fellow Italians is a proposition grounded in profound personal growth. The intrinsic appreciation for Italian culture, coupled with the welcoming embrace of Italian communities, renders it an invaluable opportunity.
How does your experience on the home campus help you in your job at Syracuse Florence?
Bertone: It helps me better understand what the expectations are on this campus. I quickly understand what the students need so I can anticipate what they would like to do/see, and what they would put on their nonpriority list. It is also fundamental to help them adjust to a Western European lifestyle, which can be a bit of a shock at times. It’s the reverse process that I experienced when I was catapulted into the American reality back in 2018, when my college career had just started.
Gattone: My tenure on the home campus significantly informs my role at Syracuse Florence. From deciphering colloquial banter about cold weather to dispensing nuanced academic and professional counsel, this experience serves as a pivotal bridge in understanding and connecting diverse perspectives.
Brent Barbano returned to the Villa Rossa recently to show his mom where he spent such a memorable summer studying abroad. He recounted fond memories of developing black and white photos in a darkroom for class, going on site visits with “Jay Zee” (art history professor Jane Zaloga), and hanging out a lot in Piazza Savonarola in front of the school with his friends. Brent studied at the Syracuse film school so he couldn’t come for a regular semester, and he has since become a successful director of photography.
What was it like to be back in Florence after 18 years?
It was very surreal. I have so many fond memories around the city and Villa Rossa’s neighborhood. So it was exciting to see that not much has changed. It’s just as beautiful and charming as I remembered!
How did the city and the school compare to when you studied here?
The city is definitely more crowded than I remembered but that’s to be expected. The school is even better! When I studied at Villa Rossa, they were renovating the expansion to the grounds. So it was really fulfilling to see how beautiful and larger the entire campus is now!
How did the experience affect your life and/or career path?
Studying abroad with Syracuse in Florence definitely opened my eyes to traveling internationally. At the time, it was my first trip overseas, so it was a big opportunity of growth for me. Since then, I’ve traveled to over 30 countries and 46 states, and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
What was particularly memorable about your time studying abroad?
This is certainly the hardest question to answer. I created so many memories and made lifelong friends during my short summer semester (RIP Bebop*). I would have to say it’s either taking class tours in museums all over Florence and Italy, learning about classic Renaissance art and architecture. Or it would have to be all of the weekend trips my friends and I took through Italy, some locations included Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Verona, Elba, Cinque Terre, etc…
Any advice for present or future students?
Get out of your comfort zone, be inquisitive, take walks and explore, be polite, learn the language, order the weird thing on the menu, and don’t look back. It sounds corny and fairly obvious to say, but I can’t stress it enough. Seize the day and take advantage of this incredible opportunity most people won’t have in their lifetime. Syracuse did an incredible job with their program and you’re so lucky to be a part of it. SU really has one of if not the best abroad program in the country!
Plan some time to travel around Italy (and even Europe), during and after your semester too. Don’t take school (sorry professors) too seriously. Work hard, of course, but try and prioritize time to learn about the Italian culture, food, arts, customs, and general way of life. Living in any foreign country can be such an enriching experience, and it’d be a shame if you flew all this way to just study, party, sleep and repeat. You’ll regret it. Oh, and try not to order any food near the Duomo or any touristy area for that matter. Find out where the locals go and eat there.
* A bar with live music that was popular with study abroad students and closed in 2014.
Italian language professors Alessandra Adriani, Francesca Bea, and Rossella Falciai have published an article in the latest issue of Lingua in Azione, a journal about Italian language instruction, on the differences between the US study-abroad model and the European exchange program Erasmus, using Syracuse Florence as a case study.
Erasmus is used as an easy reference point when explaining the American study abroad experience to an Italian, but as explained in their article, “This is Not Erasmus,” there are some important differences.
Erasmus students go to another country [in Europe], for a semester or a year, prepared to integrate into the university and social reality of the destination country, fully embracing the course timetables, lessons and linguistic difficulties. It is a rather radical experience, which requires significant adaptation.*
Adriani, Bea, and Falciai, “Questo non e’ Erasmus,” LIA, n.1, 12/2023
In other words, US study abroad students have a lot more support and guidance in their experience living in a foreign country and adapting to cultural differences. They also tend to be younger, less experienced with college-level classes, and less autonomous than Erasmus students.
Art History Professor Jonathan K. Nelson is one of three presenters in a new video on YouTube produced by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), which has already had 17k views. The short documentary takes viewers through the streets of Florence to recount the life and work of renowned Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli.
Professor Nelson is a world renowned expert on Botticelli, and tells the artist’s story here along with Furio Rinaldi, the curator of prints and drawings at FAMSF, and Cecilia Frosinini, an art historian at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence.
Last week, Director Sasha Perugini travelled with Academic Manager Rachael Smith and Assistant Director for Student Life Jessica Volpe to Strasbourg for the 2023 European Institute Conference. They also met and shared ideas with Syracuse Abroad colleagues from London and Madrid while visiting the Syracuse center in Strasbourg.
The conference was co-organized by the Forum of Education Abroad and the European Association of Study Abroad and took place in the National University Library. It was a great chance for the 120 participants from across Europe to share best practices, especially concerning current issues like DEI, mental health, and the climate crisis in relation to study abroad. Director Sasha Perugini also spoke about artificial intelligence and international education as part of the panel “Open Forum Dialogue: Giving Voice to Onsite Perspectives.”
Samantha recently returned to the Villa Rossa with her mother, who finally got to see the place that had such an impact on her daughter and meet the host family that took such good care of her. Samantha shares some heartwarming reflections in this follow-up interview.
What was your impression of the school and the city 15 years later?
Returning to Florence after so many years was such a surreal experience. As my mom and I walked from Santa Maria Novella to our hotel, it was so exciting to see the Duomo come into view. When I was there from January-April 2008, there weren’t as many people around since it was still winter. Visiting in mid-October, the weather was much warmer and the larger crowds were a big difference! Otherwise, it felt like coming home and nothing had changed. The city is just as enthralling as I remember, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of seeing it all. Villa Rossa is still a charming and tranquil spot in a bustling city. I was so happy that I got to show my mom where I had gone to school. Getting the chance to walk around the courtyard, peak into classrooms, and rediscover some of my favorite study and hangout spots was so special.
We know you had a great experience with your host family. What made it so special?
My host family was amazing! They were so welcoming and really made me feel like part of the family. We had long dinners every night getting to know each other and talking about our days and what we were learning at school. My host brother would ask for help with his English homework after dinner while I practiced my Italian. My host mom let me help cook and tended to me when I was sick. I remember when my host dad found out I had never been to IKEA, we all went the following weekend. There were other day trips they included me on to Fiesole and the beach, which was a wonderful way to see parts of Italy I might not have ever seen. Living in their home was the best experience I could have had and allowed me to immerse myself fully in the Italian language and culture. The fact that I was included in their lives because they wanted me to be is something for which I’ll always be grateful.
Samantha with her host family and her mom, October 2023
What made you decide to be a study abroad advisor when you returned to the US?
Studying abroad is both so exciting and nerve wracking, especially when going to a country where you might not speak the language. When I decided to go to Florence, I didn’t know Italian, but I wanted to learn and knew the curriculum would afford me that chance. I wanted to help set other students’ minds at ease and assure them that even if they didn’t know the language, that shouldn’t stop them from going. I also wanted to help guide future study abroad students through the more overwhelming aspects of the application process, how to prepare for living abroad, what to expect when you’re there, etc. I was fortunate enough to have support and insight from former study abroad students and wanted to be able to provide that to others.
Tell us about any memories that particularly stand out about your time here.
There are so many amazing memories from my study abroad experience. If I had to pick, I’d say both my first and last day in Florence. When I first arrived, I was simultaneously so excited, nervous, and having second thoughts about being able to live successfully in a totally different country. On my last day, I remember visiting my favorite spots around the city one last time. I was so emotional and couldn’t imagine what it would be like if I hadn’t come to Florence. Now, looking back on how much my feelings had changed from day one to my final day, I am reminded of how much my time abroad shaped me as a person. I’m lucky to remember both how it began and how it ended – each day was memorable in its own way.
Any advice for current or future Syracuse Florence students?
It might sound cliché, but take advantage of your time there and soak it all in. Go to the museums and explore the outdoor markets. Have lunch in different piazzas. Speak Italian in restaurants and shops, even if you’re still learning! Stop to take in the details of the buildings and sculptures. It’s a unique experience being able to live and study in a different country, especially in such a historical and beautiful city. Travel to and explore different cities and countries on the weekends. It’s a big world and being able to travel Europe so easily while you’re there is not an opportunity to be missed. Studying abroad in Florence is an experience like no other and it will stay with you forever. Enjoy every moment!
Professor Parotti (left) and Erin O’Donnell (right)
Last Spring, Syracuse student and chemical engineering major Erin O’Donnell interviewed Professor Francesca Parotti as part of her internship with UNESCO on women in STEM to find out what it’s like to work as a woman engineer in Italy.
When were you introduced to STEM education?
I’ve always loved scientific subjects and attended a high school that specialized in applied sciences (liceo scientifico sperimentale).
What piqued your interest to receive a higher education degree in it?
I’ve always been fascinated by numbers, and by studying complex objects I was able to understand the world around me.
What field of engineering do you have a degree in? Do you have additional degrees? If so, what?
I have a Master’s degree in civil engineering and a PhD in science and material technologies.
Do you hold a position in which you hire people? If yes, how many women applicants do you see with respect to male applicants?
No, I’m a freelancer and work for myself.
Have you ever seen men hired over women who were more qualified ?
Of course, yes! In my field (construction) there are so many prejudices about women. Older people especially look at me like an alien when I arrive at a building site to do my job.
What is your current specific job description?
I’m a ProStructural designer, safety manager, and construction manager.
When you direct men in the workplace do you find that you are not respected? How so?
At first men don’t seem to take me seriously and they give their opinion even if they’re not qualified to (mansplaining). Then, when they realize that I’m firm, competent and stubborn, they accept my leadership. Sometimes they even end up telling me that women are better bosses than men!
Do older or younger men give you more respect?
It depends more on their level of awareness and maturity than their age.
Our longstanding conversation and cultural exchange program, Spazio Conversazione, is seeing a rise in popularity this semester after experiencing a pandemic-related slowdown over the last couple years. More and more of our students are coming out to chat with local Italian university students in this out-of-class activity held most Wednesdays from 4 to 6pm in the Villa Rossa Garden.
Painting by Professor Marco Fallani and Italian Department Coordinator Loredana Tarini
Loredana Tarini founded the program in 1995, a year after she became the coordinator of the Italian department. She originally called it Casa Italiana, inspired by similar initiatives at American colleges, and in the early years when the Student Life Office organized less extra-curricular activities, it often involved site visits, fieldtrips, and events like open-mic nights. “I wanted to open our school to the city and vice versa,” explains Tarini. “Not many others were doing this at the time.”
Pages from Casa Italiana scrapbook created by Italian Professor Gianna Socci
Pages from Casa Italiana scrapbook created by Italian Professor Gianna Socci
Professor Tarini changed the name a few years later to highlight the focus on language exchange. Otherwise, the set-up remains the same as in the early days, with a rotation of different Italian language professors running the activity each semester. Seasonal or themed snacks are offered, and students either do a 50/50 blend of Italian and English, or they start with one language and continue with the other. Board games are a popular icebreaker. It is all very informal; a fun, relaxed way to practice speaking a foreign language.
Video by Italian Professor Antonella Battaglia
The help of Italian department interns from the University of Florence has done much to enrich the activity, especially since they are great at getting the word out to their friends and peers. This semester we have political science majors Alessandro Clementelli and Matteo Sigismondi, and Mariasofia Ottaviani, whose studies in education management and clinical pedagogy align perfectly with the aims of the program.
Current University of Florence interns (from left): Matteo Sigismondi, Mariasofia Ottaviani, and Alessandro Clementelli
Interested students are always warmly welcome and can simply show up to future events. Più siamo, meglio è!
