Faculty-led Short-term Study Abroad to Italy Returns

The AR260 Art and Culture in Italy class recently returned from a faculty-led 18-day short-term study abroad trip to multiple regions in Italy. It was a blessing to be in Rome during the Conclave and announcement of Pope Leo XIV. The students were able to tour the Vatican Museum and experience the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome also included visits to the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Borghese Museum, and a day-trip to Pompeii. From there the class headed north, spending almost a week in Florence seeing the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Accedemia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Leather Market, and a day trip to Pisa and Cinque Terra. The visit continued with a few days in Pieve (Paderno) del Grappa where the group stayed at the De La Salle Instituti Filippin, toured the shoe manufacturer Grisport, Villa Sandi Winery. and the Antonio Canova Gallery in Passagno. The trip concluded in Venice. There, the students toured St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and a local weaving studio. The students also had free time to explore each of the cities on their own and experience a variety of food and culture. The class was led by faculty members Lisa Truax and Dean Beckman from the Business and Communication Department.