We interviewed Jenna, a student at the Istituto Europeo. Jenna is a young and promising opera singer who tells us in this video about her amazing experience in Florence.
Visualizzazione post con etichetta study in Florence. Mostra tutti i post
Visualizzazione post con etichetta study in Florence. Mostra tutti i post
martedì 31 gennaio 2017
lunedì 22 giugno 2015
An Inside Look at Teaching and Studying at Istituto Europeo: Manhattan College, Professor Nonie Wanger
Interview by Laura TresselProfessor Nonie Wanger, Manhattan College
Director of Study Abroad Program
How did your teaching career begin?
Well originally I wanted to be an architect, but since I grew up with the French language, I decided to become a teacher. I like teaching, it's really a passion for me. I love to see the impact it has on my students. Especially seeing students that I had in a class in their freshman year, and then having them in another class junior or senior year and seeing how much they've grown. I teach French and Italian in the Modern Language and Literatures department. I've also been the director of study abroad at Manhattan College for 35 years now, and seeing the impact that the program has on students who have never even been out of their neighborhood is really amazing.
What brought you to Florence?
About 20 years ago we decided we wanted a program in Italy, and we thought about Rome, but decided it was just too big of a city. We chose Florence for several reasons. First because of the Renaissance history and art that it has: it's the city of Dante. Also because it isn't that big, it allows the students to become part of the fabric of the city. We were looking for a school to host our students and our program, and that's when we found the Istituto Europeo. My colleague visited the school and said that it was perfect, that it was small, right next to the Duomo, and that we would get great attention from the administration and teachers. So we decided to bring Manhattan College here. It was an excellent choice, since we have been teaching courses here for 20 years now.
How has the program changed in the past 20 years?
It started with very few students. Originally it was designed for students who had just finished the beginner or intermediate Italian courses to continue their learning here. The first year we had seven students, and this year we have 19 students in two classes. In past years, when we have had four courses besides the language course, we have had more than 30 students. Florence's summer study abroad program is the most popular out of the ones we offer. I think it is simply because they talk to each other about it and spread the word. We also have a lot of students from Italian backgrounds that want to make a connection with the country. Students from all five colleges of our university (Art, Science, Education, Business, and Engineering) come to study here in Florence. One of the best things for me is when students tell me how much the study abroad program has impacted them. I was just emailed by a girl who studied here two years ago and is returning now to work for a tour company.
What do you think is the most important thing that students get out of the study abroad experience?
They understand the differences in culture, and that not everyone thinks the way they do. Different cultures do things differently, but ultimately we all have the same goal in life. Students also discover themselves when they study abroad. They learn to be more independent, to negotiate situations, and they learn tolerance with each other and the outside world. This will help them in their future jobs too, to help them think from different points of view. The best way to learn from this experience is to fully engulf themselves in the culture and in the language. Students should break from home, and learn about the city and culture they are in. They get to see the world differently and to use that in their own lives.
We wondered what some of the students from Manhattan College's program thought about Florence and the study abroad experience, so we interviewed two students attending classes here at Istituto Europeo.
Student Interviews: Matthew Chiaramonte and Anna Champagne
Why did you choose to come to Florence?
M: I'm going to be a senior, and I wanted to study abroad at least once. Also, my family is from Italy so I wanted to learn about the culture.
A: I've never been to Europe before, and I had a friend who studied here for two semesters and he told me about all the experiences he had, all the people he met, and everything sounded so great that I decided I wanted to come here too.
How are you enjoying Italy so far?
M: I like Florence a lot, and also the South where my family is from. In my free time I just like hanging out with my friends, going to get coffee at a bar. Basically every week we have a trip too, so I've been to Rome, Pisa, Amalfi Coast, and we're going to Siena this week. It keeps us really busy.
A: It was a big culture shock initially, but after a couple of days being here I started exploring and walking around more. I want to see all the little streets and try different foods. I don't like having a destination, I prefer just wandering around.
What are some of the cultural differences you've noticed?
M: They dress differently, I guess more elegantly. When I went to visit my cousins who live in Italy, it was interesting because they see us differently. We're related, but we live in different places which makes our lifestyles different.
A: How people greet each other is very different. Everyone is so friendly here, especially compared to New Yorkers. They're also friendly to tourists and are eager to help which is something that i'm not used to at home.
What are your favorite things about Florence?
M: I like that you can walk everywhere. Everything is within like 15 minutes walking which is great. I also like the food of course. My favorite thing I've had is the Florentine steak which was amazing!
A: This past week I just went up to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset over Florence and it was amazing. I also love the gelato.
When you go home, what are you going to tell your friends?
M: First off, I'll tell them to definitely go. I've had so much fun, it feels like I've been here for two months not just three weeks. Everyone should study abroad if they can.
A: I'm going to tell them to go abroad, they have to. It's scary at first, but everything about it is worth it. It's important to try to break out of your comfort zone, like trying to break the language barrier. The experience is great!
martedì 16 giugno 2015
Ethics and Beauty in Florentine Shops- Todo Modo: Pietro Torrigiani
Interview by Fabrizio Ulivieri and Laura Tressel
Where does the name of your bookshop, Todo Modo come from?
It comes from a famous book written by the Italian author Leonardo Sciascia, which they also made into a film. We also chose the name because the letters "T" and "M" are included in all the surnames of the people who work in the shop, which makes it more personal.
There are five of us who work together in the store. My wife and I manage the store and the books, there is someone in charge of the wine selection for the bar, and there are two guys who work outside with publishers. We all collaborate to make the business work.
How did you come into the bookshop business?
When I was younger and in school, I worked in a famous bookshop in Florence: Seeber. Unfortunately, that store is no longer around, but I really enjoyed working there. I finished school, and while I was working as a lawyer, my wife and I started a literary festival in La Spezia during the summers. We did this festival for seven years and through it we made a lot of connections with writers and publishers. The idea of creating a new bookstore in Florence came from this experience. It took us three years to build up our catalogue of books because the titles are not necessarily the popular books you see everywhere. A lot of the time, clients come and suggest books and if I like it i'll buy a couple copies of it.
What is your personal relationship with the city and with the bookstore?
I grew up on the Oltrano side of the river, San Frediano. I always thought that we would open the bookstore over there, but this location, just across the bridge, was perfect for our shop. A lot of our customers still come from that side of the river.
How do you feel about Florence?
Of course I love Florence! Especially in the last two years, independent bookstores are really getting attention here. I think six new independent bookstores have opened (including us) recently, and its really good for our business. I also think that if people get the chance to live in Florence, they can really become a part of the city and get deeper than just the tourist experience.
For me, one of the most important aspects of living and owning a shop in Florence is making connections with other people. For our bar, we always buy produce from the same market because we have good relations with them. Also, there is a new place that sells only art catalogues nearby, and because we have a good relationship with them, we make sure not to sell art catalogues at Todo Modo because we respect their business. These types of connections form a community among the businesses and people of Florence.
Why do you think people come to Florence?
They come because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, of course. Also, its very easy to walk everywhere. When people ask me for suggestions for where to go I always tell them just to walk around, not to spend hours inside a museum. There is so much to see around the city.
What are some of your favorite places in Florence?
My favorite place, besides my bookshop, is the area of San Frediano. I really like the atmosphere of the neighborhood. My favorite square there is Piazza Tasso. It has a lot of nice restaurants, there are always people that hang out and play soccer, and my favorite ice cream shop is here.
What reason would you give a student to come to Florence?
The city is is place that you can really create a relationship with. You can connect with the churches, the piazzas, the different places, and they will become a part of you. I think if a student could come here for six months or a year, they would really have the chance to become part of the city. It's a wonderful experience.
Where does the name of your bookshop, Todo Modo come from?
There are five of us who work together in the store. My wife and I manage the store and the books, there is someone in charge of the wine selection for the bar, and there are two guys who work outside with publishers. We all collaborate to make the business work.
How did you come into the bookshop business?
When I was younger and in school, I worked in a famous bookshop in Florence: Seeber. Unfortunately, that store is no longer around, but I really enjoyed working there. I finished school, and while I was working as a lawyer, my wife and I started a literary festival in La Spezia during the summers. We did this festival for seven years and through it we made a lot of connections with writers and publishers. The idea of creating a new bookstore in Florence came from this experience. It took us three years to build up our catalogue of books because the titles are not necessarily the popular books you see everywhere. A lot of the time, clients come and suggest books and if I like it i'll buy a couple copies of it.
What is your personal relationship with the city and with the bookstore?
I grew up on the Oltrano side of the river, San Frediano. I always thought that we would open the bookstore over there, but this location, just across the bridge, was perfect for our shop. A lot of our customers still come from that side of the river.
How do you feel about Florence?
Of course I love Florence! Especially in the last two years, independent bookstores are really getting attention here. I think six new independent bookstores have opened (including us) recently, and its really good for our business. I also think that if people get the chance to live in Florence, they can really become a part of the city and get deeper than just the tourist experience.
Why do you think people come to Florence?
They come because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, of course. Also, its very easy to walk everywhere. When people ask me for suggestions for where to go I always tell them just to walk around, not to spend hours inside a museum. There is so much to see around the city.
What are some of your favorite places in Florence?
My favorite place, besides my bookshop, is the area of San Frediano. I really like the atmosphere of the neighborhood. My favorite square there is Piazza Tasso. It has a lot of nice restaurants, there are always people that hang out and play soccer, and my favorite ice cream shop is here.
What reason would you give a student to come to Florence?
The city is is place that you can really create a relationship with. You can connect with the churches, the piazzas, the different places, and they will become a part of you. I think if a student could come here for six months or a year, they would really have the chance to become part of the city. It's a wonderful experience.
mercoledì 10 giugno 2015
Stendhal Syndrome: Psychologists Diagnose Disoriented Visitors of Florence
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| Michelangelo's "David" |
by Laura Tressel
Slowly turning a corner in the
Galleria dell'Accademia, I tilt my head back to gaze at the glory of the marble
miracle that stands before me. There, alone under an airy archway,
towers David, the king of Florence's statues. I was stunned into silence, and
for a while, all I could do was take minuscule steps around the base of
the sculpture, acquainting myself with every centimeter of intricate detail
and pale, immaculate beauty. Soon enough I came out of my hypnosis and realized
that I wasn't alone in the gallery, that there were hundreds of other visitors
feeling similar emotions and marveling at the same wonder. Later, after leaving
Michelangelo's masterpiece behind, I wondered at the strange effect it had on
my mental state.
The explanation behind these
feelings of overwhelming awe comes to us from the words of Stendhal, a 19th
century French writer who visited Florence and described in his own way
how, “I reached the emotional state in which we experience the celestial
feelings that only the beauties of art and sentiments of passion can offer… On
leaving the Santa Croce church, I felt a pulsating in my heart. Life was
draining out of me, while I walked fearing a fall" (1817). These lines
were written after Stendhal witnessed the tombs of Santa Croce, which houses
the remains of some of Florence's biggest legends including Dante, Galileo
Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Michelangelo.
Stendhal Syndrome, as it has
officially been named is a psychological condition diagnosed in 1979 by
Italian psychiatrist, Dr. Graziella Magherini. She witnessed similar
symptoms among visitors to Florence after being exposed to the artwork and
historical magnitude of the city. Patients symptoms included disorientation,
dizziness, seeing unrealistic visions or scenes, heart palpitations
and shortness of breath. Dr. Magherini contributed this state of illness to the
effect of artwork and Renaissance culture on the human psyche.
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| Tomb of Galileo Galilei |
Most commonly, Stendhal Syndrome
pertains to cases that occur upon visiting Florence, since the origins are
very specific. However, the term can be applied to similar sensations felt when
facing a grand spectacle of nature that makes a person feel overwhelmed by
their connection with it. The feeling is one that draws the person out of their
usual consciousness, and into a spiritual state that they have never
experienced before. As Stendhal also describes, "I long for those rare
moments when I shiver with the rush of altered consciousness. In an ephemeral
blast of time's breath, it's like the universe reveals itself and there is a
mutual recognition of all things."
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| Tomb of Dante |
The condition has been diagnosed to many visitors to the city since its discovery, and has even been made the subject of an Italian horror film, La Syndrome di Stendhal. The film was produced in 1995 by director Dario Argento, and at the time of its release became his biggest grossing movie in Italy. The plot focuses around the a young detective who travels to Florence in search of a serial killer, and falls victim to Stendhal Syndrome. Due to her altered consciousness, she loses the battle in her attempts to hunt down the villain. The story creates a darker vision of the effects of this psychological condition, which otherwise has not been known to cause such dramatic results. Some patients however, have been admitted to hospitals due to severe symptoms, and given psychiatric treatment to bring them back to reality.
Florence is a city that keeps history alive. Here, renaissance works are never "old" and every day brings busloads of new people, eager to witness them with fresh eyes. These visitors don't know of the danger that lurks behind the eyes of the paintings in the Uffizi, and the hard gaze of the marble guardians of the city. The danger of connecting with art and history in a way they never thought possible, of giving in to the inexplicable awe that understanding brings about. Some of these visitors may fall trap to Stendhal Syndrome and forget their itineraries and maps while reaching a higher level of consciousness connected with the living history around them.