By Meredith O’Donnell

In order to genuinely understand, respect and appreciate the differences of others, you have to live among them. Hofstra in Montepulciano, a program from July 1 to Aug. 5 , offered students the opportunity to gain this knowledge. At the same time, they experienced dawn on the Italian Riviera (Cinque Terre) and witnessed the sunset over the Isle of Capri. Montepulciano is a small town in Tuscany, Italy, which allowed students to be submersed in authentic Italian culture and scenery.

In addition to the trip, the students took two classes, giving them six credits. There was an option to either take a course studying the language, of which there were different levels of advancement, or to take classes in English, such as Italian Cinema and Italian Literature. Furthermore, the program included daytrips on Fridays to Orvieta, Perugia and Siena, among other nearby cities, and during weekends students were encouraged to travel around Italy. Most took advantage, going from Rome all the way down to Sicily, and everywhere in between.

Dr. Gregory Pell, assistant professor of Italian and director of Hofstra in Montepulciano this past summer, expressed his reasons for finding the University’s study abroad program valuable.

“Studying abroad is important to broaden horizons. It also helps to strengthen language skills, because trying to learn from a text book, even a quality one, is like studying from an artificial vacuum,” Pell said. “However, when you’re in the country, you don’t have to create situations, it’s all there for you.”

Alissa Mazzo, a sophomore international business major, conveyed her enthusiasm for the program and ice cream.

“I had an amazing time. I met and became friends with some great people I probably never would have met otherwise. I saw the unbelievable ruins of Rome and  Pompeii,” Mazzo said. “I went on an unforgettable gondola ride though Venice. I was dazzled by the beauty and size of St. Peter’s square. These sights are not only incredible because of their appearance but because of the immense history they represent.  If the chance to meet new people, and experience a long and fascinating history is not enough then go for the gelato! [Italian for ice cream]”

For senior Film Production major Maia Rose, this year’s program was her second international venture with the University.

“My desire to go to Italy had much to do with my first experience with Hofstra studying abroad in London,” Rose said. “Since that went so well I decided to go to Italy, since I myself am Italian.”

For Rose, the experience was unforgettable and a tremendous learning experience,

“The trip opened my eyes to the opinions that people from other countries have of Americans.  Although there were many negative opinions of us, I feel like many times I personally helped to create a more positive impression of our country through the humility and respect I showed for other cultures,” Rose said.

Rose represents a part of the group that went overseas without a solid knowledge of the language. Students that fell into this category often had a vastly different experience from those with an understanding of Italian.

“Dealing with the Italian people was at first challenging since I did not speak the language. However, after a week or so I got used to the familiar phrases I needed to know on a daily basis.  The people gave us funny looks at first but ultimately grew to know us by name and said hello to us as we walked around the small town daily,” Rose said.

Traveling to cities such as Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre on weekends was different from the small village where we were stationed.

“In the big cities it was important to be aware of the surroundings but being American was not a problem, as most people spoke some English. The sights were amazing and there was so much culture to take in,” Rose said.

Regretfully, the trip came to an end.

Rose said, ”The simple way of life in Italy made me wish I never had to return to the hectic American lifestyle. I will never forget all the great people I met and certain people will always hold a place in my heart.”

Shane McGonnigal, a sophomore Film major, not only enjoyed the host country, but also his fellow travelers.

“I enjoyed Italy immensely as my time there consisted of a great mixture of interesting world study, McGonnigal said. “Experiencing the people and environments of the country, as well as giving me the opportunity to enjoy myself with everyone on the trip on the many adventures’ I had.”

Dr. Maria Fixell, professor of the department of romance languages and literatures, said there will be three programs in January 2005. In addition to the Venice program she will be coordinating, there will also be a semester in London available, and Athens. This summer, six study abroad programs will be available to students in Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, and Japan for five weeks and six credits.

“The winter session is what is unique about what Hofstra offers because most schools don’t. Students from our school as well as visiting students from other universities can earn three credits in a foreign country,” Fixell said. “Opportunities are endless, and expectations are often exceeded by the time the students return home.”

“My first reaction to Italy was how beautiful the people are. I also noticed that they aren’t even aware of their beauty because everyone looks the same,” Stephanie Schulter, a sophomore communications and psychology major, said. “The word that best describes the people of Italy is ‘Bella Vita,’ which in English mans ‘beautiful life.’ Italians love life and are very good at showing how they feel and how much they love everything.”

For myself, the best time to absorb the culture was the early morning hours, about 6:30 or 7 a.m., awakened by the Opera singer across the narrow, cobblestone street, when the owner of the meat shop swept his stoop, and the older native women trekked up the steep hills to attain their daily fresh fruit.

I remember the first day arriving in Montepulciano. My initial impression was I felt like I had stepped into the pages of Time Magazine or inside a calendar of Tuscany. The town was picturesque and exactly what I envisioned. After flying into a time warp of six hours, adjacent to a full moon through the night, I was surprised by the burst of energy I felt once we arrived. I was eager to explore my new surroundings and roamed around for hours. The area was composed of homey, family-owned shops, banks, outside displays of bread and fruit, churches, banks, restaurants, houses and a travel agency. I was greeted by a toddler on a tricycle who tilted his head back, lifting his chipmunk cheeks towards me, and screeched, “Ciao!”

My second welcome was less friendly, but well-deserved on my part, when I entered a shop and attempted my first monetary transaction. Flustered, I extracted a dollar bill from my wallet, and the clerk retorted, “This is Italy, no Americana…” reminded of my location and shock from my disoriented state, I corrected my error. Soon it was time for my first overseas meal.

The group of about 30 students and two professors met for dinner. The restaurant was dimly lit and had two low archways made out of red brick. Despite the brutal heat of the country, air conditioners were rare and ice was only granted upon request, ditto for butter, as bread lacks preservatives. Adapting to the foreign cuisine was exciting, especially for those enchanted, who had been since the flight, with the fact that Europe’s wine flows freely without discrimination against age. No carding policies. We learned that Italians consume small portions and the waiter or waitress continually appears to serve the multiple courses separately. There is usually a salad, a pasta, some sort of meat and dessert.

The nightlife, for such a quaint, rural town, was decidedly vivacious. In addition to the small wineries and bars inside, “El Jardin” or “the garden”was located right outside the city walls which, by day, was a playground with benches, after dusk it consisted of a tent, videogames and sometimes live entertainment. Students made a habit of visiting frequently. To stay in touch with the states, there was an Internet café, the owner of which, Fabio, offered an array of phone cards and Internet access. When I heard anecdotes of people studying abroad and I heard them mention “an Internet café,” I was under the impression it was going to be a small restaurant with computer cables. Actually it is a room only with computers and a couple of phone booths, and Fabio’s desk.

After investigating my atmosphere and visiting the apartments of some of the other participators, I returned to the house I shared with two other girls, complete with a fully-stocked kitchen, two water closets (aka “W.C”… in America, wash rooms) and two bedrooms. I unpacked, counted my blessings, and prepared for five weeks of gaining independence, maturity and invaluable life lessons.

Taken from the balcony of Ilsasso, the school where classes were held, of one of the town´s neighborhoods. (Meredith O’Donnell/The Chronicle)

Montepulciano is perched on a hill overlooking this view, taken from the outskirts of town. (Meredith O’Donnell/The Chronicle)