Italy Summer 2024
Global Community Engagement: Multidisciplinary STEM education through an engineering and accessibility lens
Embark on an enriching and inclusive interdisciplinary study abroad experience from May 20, 2024 until May 30, 2024, led by esteemed faculty from the fields of education and engineering. The journey commences in Rome, where students will explore iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum and Trevi Fountains. Transitioning to the picturesque Villa Pieve Country House in Corciano, with a medieval castle gracing the scenery, the adventure unfolds with visits to the International Montessori Centre, a functioning farm/winery, the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Cortona Tuscany, and The Hermitage Convent Le Celle, the inaugural monastery established by St. Francis. Throughout, students will actively participate in collaborative projects with a local engineering school, engaging in a spectrum of interdisciplinary activities expertly framed through the prism of STEM learning and accessibility.
The approximate cost of $3,100 covers guided tours, transportation within Italy, lodging, museum admissions, and most meals, ensuring a hassle-free and immersive experience. Please note that this cost does not include tuition for the course, airfare, some meals, or spending money for souvenirs.
Participants will work with faculty to register for the associated summer courses. For more information or accommodations, please contact Dr. Hall (khall@unf.edu) or Dr. ElSafty (adel.el-safty@unf.edu).
Proposed Itinerary
| Morning | 1.) Arrival into Rome 2.) API organized airport reception and transfer to program accommodations - Hotel Ripa - Via degli Orti di Trastevere, |
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| Afternoon |
1.) API cultural, health, and safety orientation 2.) Monuments of Rome tour: Our guided walking tour starts with a stroll through the Campo de’Fiori,one of Rome’s oldest farmer’s markets. Next, a short walk away is the Piazza Navona,featuring Bernini’s famed Fountain of the Four Rivers.Past the Palazzo Madama, hometo modern Italy’s Senate, is the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient monument, which still exemplifies the best of Roman architecture.The magnificent Trevi Fountain is also included on this tour. |
| Evening | 1.) API arranged Group Welcome Dinner 2.)Stay in Rome |
| Morning |
1.) Breakfast accommodations 2.) Transfer to the Vatican with public transportation 3.) Guided Tour of the Vatican Museum [Dress code required to access the Sistine Chapel (long trousers and long-sleeved shirts); Hats, low-cut or sleeveless dresses, shorts, miniskirts are not allowed; Torn trousers and Tshirts are not recommended - knees/shoulders need to be covered] 4.) Lunch on own |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Guided tour of the Colosseum: the main symbol of Rome. It's an imposing construction with almost 2,000 years of history |
| Evening | Dinner on own; Stay in Rome |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at accommodations 2.) Visit the Imperial Forum: between Piazza Venezia and the Coliseum, and crossed by the Via dei Fori Imperiali and continuing seamlessly on the Palatine and the Capitol, is the largest and most important archaeological site in the world. |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Lunch on own 2.) Walking tour of Circus Maximus and Aventine hill |
| Evening | 1.) Dinner on own 3.) Stay in Rome |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast accommodations 2.) Departure by train to Perugia |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Estimated arrival - Orientation at the Villa and settling in |
| Evening | 1.) Tour of the family home, chapel, history as well as Rossella's art/brain studio, and castle 2.) Cooking lesson - Tiramisu 3.) Guest speaker from Montessori International Center 4.) Welcome dinner at the villa 5.) Stay at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa 2.)Transfer to Perugia |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Visit Montessori International Centre - observe preschool in action and meet with head of school for history lesson on building and architecture 2.) Lunch on own in Perugia |
| Evening | 1.) Visit to the Perugia Underground: trace history of the acropolis from the Etruscans to modern times 2.) Visit to Stained Glass Laboratory 3.) Transfer back to the villa 4.) Dinner at the Villa 5.) Stay at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa 2.) Workshop at CESF - Construction School - The group is divided into teams for the construction of an artifact, an architectural element (such as a twisted column). Personal protective equipment is required, sucha as full body suits (no shorts or T-shirts) and closed shoes (no flip-flops) |
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| Afternoon |
1.) Lunch on own 2.) Workshop at the Construction School/Presentation of projects |
| Evening | 1) Dinner at the Villa 2.) Stay at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa 2.) Lunch at the villa |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Visit to local stores/mall |
| Evening | 1.) Visit to Carini farm: wine tasting and dinner 2.) Stay at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Walk to Corciano for lunch - Restaurant II Convento, located in a former 13th century Franciscan convent 2.) Tour of town and the museum - Antiquarian: a modern museum with findings from Paleontological era to the Roman Empire |
| Evening | 1.) Time to meet with professors and discuss projects 2.) Dinner at the villa 3.) Stay at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa 2.) Transfer to Assisi 3.) Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis with access to the roof and the vaults 4.) Meeting with Mr. Paggetta (to be confirmed), Technology officer at the Superintendency for Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Umbria. |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Lunch on own 2.) Guided tour of Assisi: Museo del foro romano: From the main Piazza in Assisi, going down for four meters, you can access the underground. It opens to your eyes, in all its extension, the Roman Forum, beating heart of the Roman Assisi, where took place the political, administrative and economic affairs 3.) Guest speaker at the Villa |
| Evening | 1.) Dinner at the villa 2.) Stay a Villa Pieve |
| Morning | 1.) Breakfast at the villa 2.) Transfer to Cortona 3.) Visit to St. Franciscan Hermitage 4.) Guided walking tour of Cortona |
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| Afternoon | 1.) Lunch on own |
| Evening | 2.) Return for Gala dinner at Villa Pieve |
| Morning | Breakfast accommodations Depart for the airport back to Rome |
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