This week the Intercultural Communications students are presenting (via slides) a comparison/contrast of Italian and American culture. Each student selected a topic and researched the differences and similarities between the two countries. Topics include government, sports, music, weddings, cuisine, nightlife, education, business, etiquette, fashion, holidays, television, immigration, and gender. It is often surprising what one learns by paying attention to the “everyday” aspects of life. As with other assignments for the course, this one too prompts discussion based on not only the researched information but also the personal experience of living in another country.
Because the CIMBA experience recognizes the importance of learning outside as well as in the classroom, the directors and staff arrange tours of local companies; students are assigned to a tour based in part on their major. Business students usually visit a manufacturing or service company; communications and journalism students, organizations related to their fields. Ted Fredrickson, journalism professor, and I went with our group to Rete Venete, a television station in nearby Bassano del Grappa. I had the pleasure of visiting there last semester as well. We learned much about the television business from our tour and coupled with Alex Dufek’s report in class comparing and contrasting the industry in Italy and the States. Some of the interesting highlights: reporters work closely with police and other municipal departments for local news; the newscast lasts only 20 minutes, so concise writing is necessary; and while reporters are both male and female, only women are anchors for this station. The latter point, unfortunately, does not reflect a progressive step toward gender equity but a marketing decision based on the attractiveness of the women.
Our tour was scheduled for 11:00 in the morning, but we left earlier to explore the Thursday market in Bassano, always a treat. Though many of the students had been to this lovely city to catch a train, few of them had explored the town with its famous covered bridge designed by Andrea Palladio. The views from the bridge of the Brenta River and the Dolomites with Mt. Grappa in the background produced “ooo’s” and “aaaah’s.” Everyone dove for the cameras and positioned each other on the bridge; the local passer-bys were indulgent as always
Another highlight of this week was Gourmet Dinner 2. Between the end of the last class (4:45) and the 7:15 meeting time, much primping occurred, and based on everyone’s looks, both males and females primped. Many of the guys sported new suits, thanks to Al Ringleb and Cristina Turchett who drove them to a local store for beautifully tailored Italian suits at good prices. Aperitifs were outside under a canopy in the ristorante’s courtyard; dinner was in a spacious, warm dining room and was served just as a tremendous thunderstorm rolled in. Even with the noise of over 150 people’s conversations, we heard the booms and the rain pelting against the windows. No matter; we enjoyed tasty grilled vegetables, saffron risotto, roasted meat, and then dolci with chocolate sauce.
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