The Easy Life - Italy

Hi all! I realized that I haven't really been out to the blog except to read, and I thought I would start adding a few comments. As it turns out, my arms are now sufficiently recovered from hauling the luggage on way to Italy to allow me to again write! I was really shocked to find no bricks or large weights in any of the girls' bags upon arrival!
We have been enjoying life here! The other faculty members are wonderful, warm, and helpful. While it's only been about four weeks since we all met for the first time, it feels like we are all old friends. Two of the faculty, Fran LLoyd, and Terry Roberson are both repeat CIMBA professors.(3 to 6) years of experience here in Italy. Without the guidance and tips about where to shop, how to do things, and a million other little intercultural tidbits, our transition from Wilmington to Paderno del Grappa wouldn't have been as easy and would have been much less fun. The full-time staff in the CIMBA office have been fantastic in getting us settled in our appartments and offices, and in getting involved with the students. Participating in programs and events with the students is a large part of the process and has been very rewarding. Students have come from all over the USA. Great diverstiy in backgrounds! As it turns out, the two students from Delaware are both in my Principles of Finance class which has overall enrollment of about 33. My Managerial Econ. class has 17 students enrolled. Realy nice class sizes. The classrooms have enough technology to accommodate about any style of teaching ( overheads, laptop computer frojection, whiteboards, and flip charts).
The students seem to be comparable to our better students at UD. One of the other common traits of the students is a desire to travel. With two travel weeks and two long weekends ( about 25 days) built into the program, Travel is encouraged and expected. For instance, last Friday,Sept. 19, there was a field trip to Trieste, Italy. This is almost into Slovenia and sits on the Adriatic - Trieste is a port city. All of the students went on the field trip along with three faculty (me included) and one administrator. We dropped all but 10 out of 90 students off at the train/bus station in Trieste. The major destination was Ljubljana, Slovenia for most. We heard nothing but good reports from the students the following Monday. They said they found "Great Mexican Food" in Ljubljana! Go figure? They all had a great learning experience on traveling and how to get back to Paderno del Grappa on their own and in one piece. They were tired but happy. After this week we have another full week of classes, and then our first travel week. Our family is heading for Rapallo (West Coast), from which we will visit Cinque Terre (covers about 5 coastal towns). Lots to see and do. I m enjoying the cheeses, fish, great pasta, Italian pizza, wine ... everything so far! We have use of a nice little car. It is a Fiat Punto! 4 cylinder diesel, 5 speed manual stick shift - 4 door with a hatch-back. It goes like hell and has a strong second gear! It is a treat to drive around the narrow winding roads! The Italians go like hell and will pass you at the drop of a hat! Well, I need to go! Charlene and I are going to review some train ticket information for our trip to Rapallo.
Best to all, Tim