Study Abroad: The Inside Scoop on Academics

We are eager to hear the first impressions of our students after their first few days in the classroom, and to watch them grow as learners and individuals as the semester progresses. We asked Emma Peretz from Muhlenberg College, Ben Southerland from Coastal Carolina Univeristy, and Mollie Foster from Furman University to let us know what they think so far of academic life in Italy. Here’s what they had to say:

Ben Southerland: Physical Theatre, Coastal Carolina University SC

What is the biggest difference you have noticed between studying in Europe vs. studying at an American institution?
The biggest difference to me is the pace. The feeling of being rushed and stressed all of the time is not so apparent here, as it is in America. The pace is much more consistent, slow, and relaxed, and that’s something I really appreciate. It’s helped me get my work done is a calm and timely manner, which has never really happened before.

How are your classes here expanding your perspective as a student? As an artist?As a student, I’ve come to realize that I am more capable than I think I am to handle difficult situations. When we were told that our italian language classes would be taught IN ITALIAN, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do well in the class. However, I passed my first quiz with flying colors. (Even though I still can’t understand most of what the professor is saying). As an artist, I’m learning more about the purpose of art, its power, and how that power can be used. It covers a much wider spectrum than I originally thought.

What has been the most exciting moment for you in the classroom so far?
We had a break during movement class, and I had been trying to nail this trick where you start sitting, push yourself up with your hands, and rotate into a handstand. So, I decided to try it again during this break, and I achieved it right away. I had no idea how, but I did it. Funny thing is, when my friends asked me to show them because they missed it the first time, I couldn’t do it again. The exciting part about this, for me, is that I knew that I had made progress.

Emma Peretz: Physical Theatre, Muhlenberg College PA

What is the biggest difference you have noticed between studying in Europe vs. studying at an American institution?
In Europe, and specifically here at the villa at the Accademia dell’Arte, studying is more communal versus in an American institution where generally it is an individual task to compare and is detached from normal daily life. Here learning expands beyond the four walls of a classroom and creates a greater sense of collegiality and oneness amongst student and teacher. It has enhanced a beautiful communication between the experienced and the inexperienced that further informs our art and who we are as human beings (which, almost like a cycle, further enlightens our artistic processes). I love how after a two hour movement class or lecture with a visiting artist, come lunch time we will all sit and eat together in the backyard of the villa and interact as equals. The learning never ceases to exist even after we have left the Teatrino or the Sala Danza.

How are your classes here expanding your perspective as a student? As an artist?
I am in artistic “discovery” mode. Trying to discover the “why” behind the work and performances of this particular art form of theater. These classes at the Accademia Dell’Arte, from Movement and Voice to Tarantella workshops and specific focused lectures, have started to lay this strong foundation that has created a path to this constantly evolving “discovery.” My mind tends to think broadly about certain ideas, and occasionally that is helpful and there is that “ah-ha” moment, but I often seem to just get lost and it further separates my mental from my physical self instead of merging them together as one. What has been truly eye opening in these first couple of weeks is that this path of “discovery” stems from a simple (yet also very detailed) reintroduction to the self and the inner workings of the individual and personal body and mind “map.” It’s as if the inklings to these answers have been available the entire time because body and mind were always present as an ongoing constant. This expansion of perspective has been derived from a going back to the source of our being and taking that risk to follow our gut. It’s hard and frustrating at times, but it has started to further enable me to build patience and trust.

What has been the most exciting moment for you in the classroom so far?
There have been so many moments in the classroom that have been so unexpected and exciting. The one exciting and unexpected moment in class that immediately jumps out for me was balancing on my head and arms as we began to master headstands with Nhandan. There was a strong feeling of fear that crept up as I slowly but surely walked my feet closer to my head anticipating the moment where my feet would have to eventually leave the ground. I took a breath and in a split second I made the choice to just let go and I felt that energy flow through my entire body. Suddenly I was balancing on my head. That was unexpected and truly exhilarating.

Mollie Foster: Music, Furman University SC

What is the biggest difference you have noticed between studying in Europe vs. studying at an American institution?
I’ve found the biggest difference to be the overall atmosphere toward academics, which is much more casual here. I’m not sure if it’s a difference between Europe and America or the ADA and Furman, but I love how much independence I have here. It tests your responsibility and time-management skills so well.

How are your classes here expanding your perspective as a student? As an artist?
The main differences in classes at the ADA are Italian Arts and Culture and our movement class. The Italian Arts and Culture experiences have been eye-opening so far; there are so many brilliant artistic and architectural spectacles in Italy. It’s like hands-on history class. Even though we’d only had two, the movement class has been great for my trumpet playing, because it relaxes me and shows me how my body wants to move.

What has been the most exciting moment for you in the classroom so far?
I have loved learning Italian, and I get excited when I recognize our learning material from conversations I’ve heard around Arezzo. I have always wanted to be fluent in a language, and living in Europe will hopefully be the catalyst I need to actually accomplish my goal.

La Vita Italiana: Student Life Abroad

In addition to developing as artists and students throughout their academic pursuits at the ADA, our students also find that a large portion of the learning they do during their study experience in Arezzo happens beyond the classroom doors. We checked in with
Caroline Violante from Furman University and Yipei Shao from Emory University
to see how living and traveling abroad have started to shape their perspective:

Caroline Violante: Music, Furman Univeristy SC

What are your impressions so far about Italian culture and living abroad?
Life in Italy so far has been so incredible! The location is stunningly beautiful; every morning I wake up and I’m just amazed at the gorgeous Italian countryside. Also, I LOVE Italian cuisine–I am pretty sure I could live off pasta, wine, and gelato for my entire life. As far as the culture, I definitely can tell that Italians are much more relaxed than Americans. Sure the trains might not run exactly on time, but the people are so friendly and willing to help those who only know ‘un po’ d’italiano.’

Tell us about your favorite travel experience (or experience in the city of Arezzo) so far.
Well, I just got back from Levanto this weekend, so that’s probably the coolest trip so far! It was so beautiful; definitely more touristy than the authentic Italian countryside of Arezzo, but fun nonetheless. The beach was rocky and rough, which gave my feet some much needed exfoliation, and the waves were massive, so maybe not the best place for swimming but surfers would have a great time here. But it was such a cute town and I’m so glad I got to go to the ‘unofficial sesta terra.’

What do you think will be your biggest personal challenge to overcome throughout your study abroad journey?
I think the biggest challenge is going to be balancing between studying and experiencing the culture. I have never been to Italy (or anywhere in Italy for that matter) and I don’t think I’m ever going to get another opportunity to visit so many cultural sites in three months. Taking daily strolls into town and weekend trips, while incredibly fun, sometimes can distract from the tests and schoo-life that invariably come with studying abroad (shout-out to the quiz, test, and presentation all coming up this week). But as long as I learn to manage my time well, I think I have my cake and eat it too–or in this case, gelato.

Yipei Shao: Physical Theatre, Emory University GA

What are your impressions so far about Italian culture and living abroad?
I already studied as an international student in US for 3 years, so as a matter of fact this isn’t the first time I’ve studied abroad. However, it is definitely a totally different experience for me. First of all, I must use English, which is already my second language, to understand Italian. It is like a fish trying to learn how to fly while it is walking. But I really appreciate the uniqueness of life in Italy. To be honest, the food in our mensa is absolutely the best of any dining hall I’ve ever been to. It is the reason that wakes me up and puts a smile on my face while stepping down the stairs every single morning. Even though it is closed during the weekends, I still can go to the downtown Arezzo to enjoy a fantastic lunch in one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world. Every afternoon, there will always be a beautiful sunset waiting for me after class. Sitting, daydreaming, and sometimes with a sip of chianti classico, in the sunshine on the roof of teatrino, I must be one of the happiest men in the world. Thanks everyone that makes it happen in my life. Thanks a lot.

Tell us about your favorite travel experience (or experience in the city of Arezzo) so far.
In Arezzo, I really like that the whole city is full of old and well-protected buildings, churches and so on. However, there aren’t that many tourists like in Florence or Pisa. I can always meet a local in the town and talk with him or her in Italian. They are very nice and friendly, and always very supportive. Also, I am really impressed by how people live with their history as well as live in a modern and fast-paced society. The whole town is living history. People live in, with and by this history, which is luckily not estranged as an abstract paper or book put in the library. Their parents walked on the same road where their grandfather hung out with their grandmother when they were young. I am always obsessed with this idea of living with the spirits of your ancestors. However, it doesn’t happen much in modern China anymore, for which I feel really sorry and sad.

What do you think will be your biggest personal challenge to overcome throughout your study abroad journey?
Oh, loneliness, always loneliness. I know it so well that I am not even afraid of it anymore. To be honest, everything has its pros and cons. The life here gives me more time to look into myself and think deeply about what I really want. It is always good to be a good man, but it is never so easy when relationships are much more complicated in the REAL WORLD. The ADA is like my last shelter of soul before I go back to that world. It is like Arden in “As You Like It.” I will be reshaped and turned into a new one at the end, physically and mentally. Just enjoy it. It will come, will come.