On Monday, as we faculty finished a seminar on the Kepner-Tregoe philosophy of neuroscience, the buses from Bassano train station began rolling in, the first at 11:00 am. For me, it seemed such a short time ago that the Fall 08 students arrived. The day was cold – and once again – rainy. RI’s, staff, and faculty were on hand to facilitate the process of helping people get settled. Some students were operating on very little, if any, sleep, depending on where they came from and the connections. Bags upon bags piled up under the overhang of the Pio building where students checked in, received their information packet, their phone (if they ordered one), and grab some fruit and sandwich from the Tabacchi. After finding their rooms, they came to the Simpson Room to pick up books. All in all – three buses and 141 students from schools all over the US: from New York to California, Minnesota to Texas, and nearly every state in between, the largest contingency from University of Kansas.
Students had an orientation the first several nights after dinner, and we began classes on Tuesday. Nothing like refusing to let jet lag take over!! Everyone, well nearly everyone, was ready. Professors and students introduced themselves in classes, and semester course material reviewed. So much to process academically and culturally in those days. For many of us, the week’s highlight was Al Sole opening on Wednesday after being closed for more than a week (vacation time). Pizza – REAL pizza – does much to revitalize the body and soul after a hectic day. Al Sole will quickly become the students’ favorite after tiring of cafeteria menus!!
By Friday, after 4 days of classes, students were preparing for weekend travel, the LIFE program, or simply catching up on much needed sleep. Professors were no different, and the girls and I were getting ready for a visit from friends. Friday night we picked up Judy, Maddy, and Jojo, from the Castelfranco train station. If you remember, they had been our neighbors the fall semester as Judy’s husband, Scott, taught the journalism courses. He was finishing up some work in Lugano, Switzerland, where they had been staying since leaving PDG. Emma and Jojo had a ball; Maddy and Abbey played soccer and practiced Italian; Judy and I enjoyed adult company and wine! We had a hysterical time playing charades. They are leaving for Oregon later in the week; as I took them back to the train station, the girls cried, not wanting to leave Paderno.
Campus seemed quiet this week without classes, but I did get a lot done! The weekend brought the first of several LIFE sessions. LIFE is an intensive leadership program that proves to be life-altering for those who participate in it. It’s not about “changing” who you are, but about “finding” who you are – as an individual, a group member, and a leader. It is one of the many aspects that make the CIMBA program one of the best academic and cultural study abroad experience students could have. Abbey, who had gone through LIFE last semester, is now an assistant trainer. After the second session, the trainers and assistant trainers had dinner, and Cristina (CIMBA director) invited Emma and me to come as well. I'll have to let Emma describe her reaction to visiting Al Ringleb's house (Al is, basically, CIMBA) and to see his wine cellar!!
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