A True Italian Thank You

by Shannon Alden

 

Shannon Alden studied abroad with EMU's Adventures Abroad Program

in Switzerland and Italy and is a Fenz Scholarship Recipient.

 

I had always dreamed of traveling to Europe, and in 2003 I was lucky enough to cross the Atlantic Ocean via the Queen Elizabeth to Southampton. Below a beautiful pink and blue sunset, the QE2 set out on her journey from pier 90 in New York with me aboard; This was the moment that I knew I was a traveler at heart.

 

As an art history major, I took a new team-taught class titled "Art and Film in the 20^th Century" from Dr. Richard Rubenfield and Dr. Henry Aldridge. I found the course to be a very interesting and challenging study of both mediums. My love for art and travel was sparked when I heard that a Film and Italian Culture class was going to be offered taught by Dr. Aldridge. This was my chance not only to return to Europe, but to compare Italian films and films about Italy to the culture portrayed on the screen and to see the true colors and characteristics of the art that I had studied in my art history courses.

I started saving as soon as I heard about this unique course, hoping that if I could save up enough money to pay for my flight and spending money once I got to Italy, my father would help with the remaining cost. I ate peanut-butter sandwiches and bagels at work for months to save money in the hopes that I could have a taste of real Italian culture, art, travel and food. I had saved up just enough money to cover my flight and about six hundred dollars in spending money when I heard that I had received the grant of the Fenz Scholarship.

I felt much honored to have received such a wonderful gift. Receiving the scholarship not only made all the difference in my ability to participate in the program; it made this experience possible. Upon learning about the class, the experiences it would allow me and how I had applied for and received a scholarship, my father was very proud of and impressed my efforts to travel and learn new things, and was willing to help out with the travel fees.

I had so many unique and unusual experiences during the program; I'm not sure where to start. I think the most unique and memorable experiences were the ones that were simple in nature. In Zurich, I enjoyed the challenge of finding earplugs and a single bar of soap in a foreign supermarket along with a classmate and the film professor. My surroundings were so different than those back home; I loved how the streets were lined with colorful concrete buildings, and would meander around corners so you couldn't see someone once they reached a particular distance from you. While in Zurich, we visited the Fraumünster church, which is where the reformation started. The architecture style was simple but had brilliant stained-glass windows. I never thought I would get the chance to visit Switzerland or see the Swiss Alps, so I really enjoyed the view of the mountains from the train we took from Zurich to Italy.

Me, in the Zurich shade.    

Venice, akin to its unique beauty is a world that rises from out of a pink, blue golden mist. Hidden on this tiny island is beautiful art, churches and museums. The city alone is a glimpse into the past since the city hasn't changed much since the now office buildings were the grand estates of wool merchants, glass blowers and fisherman. The simple act of hanging my clothes out to dry through the green-shuttered window in our room was one of my fondest memories because well, it was so truly Venetian and Italian; I had always wanted to do just that, hang my clothes out to dry out a European window.

One of the most memorable experiences I had while in Venice was visiting the Venetian Ghetto. I learned a great deal about Venetian Jews and the important role they played in the history of Venice. The atmosphere of the Venetian Ghetto was very different from the magical, fairy-tale mood that surrounded them outside the Ghetto. One of my favorite memories of Venice was watching the sun go down at the end of the island; the colors of the sunset were more golden and the light didn't seem to completely disappear into the night until the very last minute.

Enjoying the Venetian sunset.

 

Florence was full of art; I got a chance to see the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli in the Uffizi Gallery and Brunelleschi's beautiful and architecturally inspiring Duomo. I found the view from Michelangelo's square breathtaking, especially after the long climb up the hill. The golden light of the sunset hit the bridge in such a way that it made it almost glow.

The view from the Florence sunroom.                    

 The view   from the sunroom in our hotel was just as beautiful. We could sit and listen to and see some of the church bells ring from that room. In the evenings, I could write in my journal about the day's adventures and feel the breeze as I watched the city light up.

I never thought I would ever get to see the leaning tower of Pisa, as we rounded the corner and my first view of the tower peeked out from around the buildings, I was truly amazed that I was actually there, and was able to see it. I whispered to myself, "It really does exist". The visit to Pisa also held another surprise-Grass; for the first time in almost two weeks, I got a chance to see something I thought I would never miss- green grass! Pisa was small, but I found the stonework of the buildings to be elaborate and colorful. I really thought we were lucky to see part of the leaning tower that had just been cleaned. The Pisa day trip was a nice break from the small, busy, hot streets of Florence and held a small reminder of home for me, while at the same time unique and different.

Rome was another one of my favorite places on this trip. I had told just about everyone in our group that I really missed eggs for breakfast. (It had been almost three weeks of coronets and coffee and I had had one too many). So, Benita surprised me at breakfast one day with eggs! I gave her a hug and told her that she didn't have to bring me eggs- to which she replied "Well, you put eggs in my head". This is one of my favorite memories from Rome, Benita making eggs for our group simply because I had put the idea in her head. The Sistine ceiling took my breath away; the restorers had just finished cleaning it which allowed for Michelangelo's use of bright, rich color to be seen. His was more beautiful than in any photograph or slide. I actually got a chance to see St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Moses, Pietà and ceiling all in one day. The day that we visited the Vatican was amazing.                  

Me, outside the Vatican

The entire study abroad program was truly a unique experience for me and one that I will always remember and cherish. The program has inspired me not only to keep up my travels, but also to take on new challenges with confidence; for that which I have gained I must say:

Grazie mille per la sua gentilezza

(Thank you very much for your kindness)