Blending Newsletter May 2014

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 3 - YEAR 4 | PALAZZI/FUA | MAY 2014

Photo by Silvia Mancini

BREAKING NEWS

CAREER PROGRAMS 2014 GRADUATING CLASS

by Blending Staff

The Spring 2014 graduating class of the FUA Career Programs was honored at a special ceremony in the Sala Rosa of the main campus on April 18th, 2014. 51 students from 32 countries completed their professional studies in the areas of Publishing, Culinary Arts,

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Baking and Pastry, Wine Studies and Enology, Hospitality Management, Fashion Design and Technology, Accessory Design and Technology, Visual Communication, and Photography.

The ceremony was opened by a lyrical performance by music studies student Emily Weber accompanied

by Prof. Camilla Weber on the piano. The final graduating group of career program students from

the Master in Italian Cuisine course, which represents the highest level of Culinary Arts at Apicius, will be complete their studies and participate at a separate ceremony on May 16.

DIVA STUDENTS DESIGN LOGO FOR ITALIAN TOWN

by Blending Staff

Photo courtesy of Ivka Markovic

A recent collaboration with the local community resulted in the creation of the official logo for the Italian city Gaiole in Chianti. DIVA course Visual Communication Design Fundamentals Studio II, taught by Ivka Markovic, was approached by the mayor of Gaiole with the specific design request to renew the city logo.

The course's regular goals include the teaching of conceptual skills and practical knowledge in the effective application of visual communication disciplines. Prof. Markovic adds that the course "revolves around problem-solving through research, concept development, design including both layout and editing phases, and a strong emphasis on professional critique." Students applied these course approaches to a professional design project that was evaluated stepby-step by Gaiole in Chianti. Students began project development by conducting research and visiting the town. During the production phase, drafts were

constructed, critiqued in class, and evaluated by the client. Four final designs were presented to Gaiole in Chianti and are currently in the process of selection for the final logo. Prof. Markovic was "quite impressed" by the quality of results and by seeing the students "shells 'crack open' to deliver truly creative solutions." The town granted certificates for the entire group and artwork for the finalists. Participating students: Richard Alvarez Cruz, Samantha Celek, Nicole Ciccone, Mikaela Fortuny, Andrea Hringsdottir, Ramzi Maalouf, Olga Makarova, Sujani Munamalpe, Brian Potopowicz.

ART

DIVA FINAL EXHIBITIONS

by Giulio Vinci

The conclusion of the photography career programs at DIVA produced two distinct exhibitions by first and second-year students on April 17, 2014. First-year students Maria del Pilar Fernandez Umbarila and Thakorn Jantrachot showed their final work at the Corridoio Fiorentino gallery space at the DIVA campus, followed by the same-day opening of the second-year exhibition at F_AIR gallery at the School of Fine Arts.

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Entitled "Magnetic Field," the exhibition featured the works of Victoria Haleba, Valeriya Kuzmitskaya, Onur Ă–zen, and "Stella" Liu Shang-Wei. Coordinating photography professor David Weiss shares: "The second-year students showed an eclectic style of both photographic imagery, technical approach, and installation. They seamlessly combined the digital, traditional, and plastic arts. As for the first-year students, their approach was personal and intimate, as well as experimental i n ter m s of color a nd i nter n a l exploration."

Liu Shang-Wei, Ombre, detail of the installation, variable dimensions, 2014

FUA TO HOST FULBRIGHT WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE

by FUA J School

Image courtesy of Jessie Chaffee

In Fall 2014, FUA will host Fulbright Scholar Jessie Chaffee who will be in Florence to complete a novel and interact with the FUA community through the role of writer-inresidence. The residency will last from October 10th, 2014, to July 10th, 2015, and is structured to create dialogue and exchange between Ms. Chaffee's literary background and FUA writing-based activities including a literary supplement for the institution's periodicals, interaction with the local community, and guest lectures in humanities-based courses.

Ms. Chaffee’s novel is set in present-day Florence and explores contemporary issues of female identity as informed by the legacy of the Italian mystical saints. In addition to the work that Ms. Chaffee will be conducting for the novel, she will also collaborate with the British Institute for specific research topics.

Jessie shares, "I am thrilled to be partnering with Florence University of the Arts as a part of my Fulbright Award in Creative Writing. I greatly admire the University's commitment to interdisciplinary and culturally integrated conversation, which is closely aligned with my own explorations in fiction. I look forward to joining that conversation this fall and to collaborating with members of the FUA community!"

Bio Jessie Chaffee is a New York-based writer and educator.

She is the recipient of a Fulbright Award in Creative Writing to Italy for the 2014-2015 academic year, during which time she will research and complete her novel while partnering with Florence University of the Arts.

Jessie received her Bachelor's Degree in the Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University. She earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing at the City College of New York, where she was awarded the Doris Lippman Prize in Creative Writing and the Stark Short Fiction Prize. She subsequently taught at City College and worked as the MFA Coordinator, a role for which she created, curated, and managed the MFA Program's literary and professional programming and 3

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fostered relationships with literary organizations throughout New York City. Prior to that, she taught history for ten years at an independent school affiliated with the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and served as the Managing Editor of several literary journals. She was a 2013 Writing Fellow at the Ox-Bow Artists' Residency and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Her fiction has appeared in Global City Review, Promethean, and Big Bridge.

FOOD & WINE

ST. REGIS HOTEL CHAMPAGNE RITUAL

by Pam Bullock, Thomas Cozzi, and Andrea Eichacker

The 5-star St. Regis Hotel commands a presence on the Arno River and its chef, Valeria Piccini, wields a big culinary reputation with her multi-Michelin recognitions. Though a bit intimidated, we decided to make a reservation to see what the establishment's famed champagne ritual was all about. The hostess suggested 7:00 pm to coincide with the piano player’s entrance, which we agreed was an excellent idea. At 7 o’clock each table was set with a Lenox votive and small posies of roses, carnations, and greenery. The waitstaff donned pristine white short waist jackets but we found ourselves perfectly at ease along with the other casually attired hotel guests. Out of sight but providing music at the perfect volume for conversation, the piano player started our evening with “As Time Goes By.” Our waiter was young, well-spoken, and genuinely pleased to be serving our group.

Photo by Andrea Eichacker

An apertivo normally consists of delicious food and good conversation with friends, colleagues, or family. We have enjoyed them at other places in Florence and wanted to try the Winter Garden specifically for the champagne ritual, which reserves some special tricks up its sleeve. With most tricks there’s a secret, and luckily, we were invited to see how it’s done. First, bottle is chilled for 2 minutes with the neck 4

and cork in ice. This makes the top of the bottle fragile and easier to break.

The waiters break with bottles with the slice of a saber, though swords big or small can be utilized. "Whether you hit the bottle in the right spot with a samurai sword or a butter knife, you will get the same result," the waiter confided to us. The key point is the weak point, or seam where the two halves were joined when the bottle was fired. Once

found, the saber must strike the seam and quickly move up to the bottom of the muselet, where the wire cage holds the cork in place. The perfect strike combines the strength of the blow with the bottle pressure, knocking off the cork and allowing the champagne to beautifully fizz out. The champagne was a Pommery, one of the best we've had. It was smooth, flavorful, and not too fizzy.

The apertivo menu included fresh raw Breton oysters, one for each of us, flavored only with salt and lemon. The remaining tasting was served according to the chef’s choice, which for this night included a portion of cucumber with salmon tartare, zucchini crème, and fresh fruit. The salmon was diced but otherwise reminded us of sushi, went well with the crisp cucumber, and was consumed in two bites. The zucchini crème was smooth like baby food and eaten with a spoon. The fruit option was presented as speared blueberry, strawberry, pineapple, kiwi, and pear, providing a sweet finish.

We decided to continue with a casual meal by ordering a club sandwich with French fries and a cheese tray of parmesan, pecorino, and sliced pear.

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By this time the piano player had switched to a medley of Beatles songs. The waitstaff was gracious towards our request to split the ordered items. The mini-bottles of Heinz ketchup were a nice touch and the french fries were nice and crisp, cut steakhouse style. When we requested the check, we were given a plate of several different kinds of cookies that were delicious. As the piano moved to “O Mio Babbino Caro”, we concluded that it was a great way to end a remarkable Florentine apertivo.

St. Regis Piazza Ognissanti, 1 www.stregisflorence.com Photo by Pam Bullock

POLAROIDS FROM VINITALY

by Katherine Brantley

Apicius wine studies alum Katherine Brantley attended this spring’s Vinitaly wine expo where she witnessed a major happening in the Tuscan wine world.

Memories are like series of Polaroids that I only wish could be developed beyond my mind. And if they could, this year’s Vinitaly produced one of the best. On an early Tuesday morning, I found myself heading back to this world-famous wine event for my second visit. This time I was accompanied by my friend Ciro, owner of a favorite Florentine enoteca, Le Volpi e l’Uva. Each year, Vinitaly hosts a large portion of Italy’s extensive and deep wine culture in beautiful Verona.

Producers present their best bounty in their most welldressed attire. The elaborate stands alone are worthy of marvel, appearing as series of small enotecas under the same roof. Grouped by region, they are housed in buildings the size of sport arenas, the entire event is a seemingly stand alone city of wine. If not careful,

Photo by author

the size in itself is potentially paralyzing for firsttime visitors and at worst, the palette is overtaken by sensory overload. But this was my second visit, so I was ready. And like any other grand event, my goal this year was to experience its authentic side.

With only a few days’ warning, Ciro generously handed me a ticket to accompany the Volpe team. We began in the biodynamic section, Vivit, a strong contrast in both product and presentation to the shining empires that I had visited the previous year. I proceeded to trail Ciro’s route, weaving through the simplistic white stalls of the natural winemaking club. Big hugs, reunions, and proud exchanges came one after another. I quickly realized the strong camaraderie I was absorbed into.

Many memorable scenes found their way into my film of Polaroids, but my favorite of this year’s Vinitaly produced one I had especially hoped for.

We had been waiting to meet up with our group for hours – a difficult task among the sea of people. Finally, Emilio stumbled through the door with a beam on his sweet face and a big bag of information for the shop.

But what created the glow in this older gentleman was the magazine in his hand. I stood with the other five Italian winemakers, sommeliers, sellers, by now dear friends, as Emilio nearly sprinted over. He threw open his newly awarded prize to the crew: his wine had scored 91 points in this month’s Decanter magazine.

The bonus prize? Beating the acclaimed and expensive Ornellaia. Emilio and Ciro’s Bolgheri blend just topped one of the most revered Tuscan wines.

This was the authentic Vinitaly shot I had hoped to experience. But one I couldn’t have predicted or created alone, which usually are my favorite ones. And so the best Polaroid was captured – a personal and most memorable face to this grandiose Italian wine event.

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TRAVEL

GIARDINO D’ESTATE

by Chloe Engel

Photo by author

Il Duomo, check. Giotto’s Campanile, check.

What about those other sites that are unknown to most?

Over the past month I developed a running route throughout Florence. One morning as I passed the same monuments that had become so commonplace, I decided to stray and run in the opposite direction. I found myself galloping over the Oltrano, far from where I’d explored before. As I slowed my pace, along the riverbank lied an ancient, barren garden known as Giardino d’Estate. After hesitantly walking through the seemingly uninviting gate, my curiosity led me to explore this once beautiful garden. As I slowly roamed this overlooked place, hidden behind a bush stood a ten-foot tall, misshaped slab of stone. Intricate swirls and symbols imprinted on the stone made it look as if it was from the Aztec era. The stone was a tarnished, musty green, the result of years of spitting rain. On a brass plate mounted on the stone was the phrase “Stele Dell’Amicizia” or “Stone of Friendship.” I admired the secret piece of art that was so different from anything I’d seen before in Florence. In November of 1966, the Arno River began to rise at an unsteady pace and breached the twenty-five foot walls surrounding it.

It cut off villages, separated families, and damaged millions

of pieces of artwork and books. It was one of the worst floods in the city’s history. After the great flood, student volunteers came from all around the world to rescue many pieces of Florentine art. The stone was cast in 1976 to remember the "Angels of mud" as the volunteers were called. I pondered the stone, thinking about my semester thus far. Will I do something great here too? What will I do to support the Florentine community that has become my own?

Near the stone is a gazebo overlooking the river, where couples would gaze out into the sunset. Years later, it’s now boarded up with hundreds of memories trapped inside forever. A broken brick path guides me through the old garden. With each step, I imagine rows of exotic flowers emerging from the fresh soil.

Suddenly, an open field emerges. I am engulfed by fluffy dandelions.

Tiny florets sail with the breeze creating a whirlwind above my face. It wasn’t the glamorous Giardino di Boboli. It was a quiet garden, free from tourists and constant camera flashes. A place where one can get away for a few hours before returning to the busy center of Firenze.

AN ANCIENT YET ACTIVE PHARMACY

by Pam Bullock

Photographs by Sanjana Chimnani

Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Via della Scala, 16 www.smnovella.it

A wonderful thing about traveling is finding unexpected products you can share with friends and family when you go home. A unique repository of all things herbal is the SMN profumeria and farmacia, a Florence institution known across the world for perfumes, balms, and ointments. Located near Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the entrance is unassuming, but once inside the institution envelopes you in Belle Epoque architecture and artistry and entices you to explore different rooms devoted to their extensive merchandise.

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The business has been in existence since the middle ages. The origin of the company was a convent of Benedictine monks who cultivated medicinal herbs in their garden adjacent to S Maria Novella when they came to Florence in 1221. Eventually their products were recognized beyond Italy and in 1612 the pharmacy opened to the public. The pharmacy received the sanction of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and by the 1700s, products were in demand as far away as Russia and China.

Today the company is owned and operated by the family of the last monastic director.

All products are of the highest quality natural materials and following “the artisanal procedures established by the Dominican fathers” are manufactured by specially designed equipment built for the company’s “unique production methods.” All of the herbs are grown in Tuscany. Each room in the recently renovated (2013) establishment is devoted to particular products. The large central room contains perfumes and soaps, lotions, balms and creams. A young woman works the perfume bar and patiently sprays scents onto strips of paper for customers to sample. The literature provided by the company states, “each of the Officina’s products has its own peculiar history.” For example, the perfume “Acqua della Regina” was created for Catherine de’ Medici and became

a favorite of the French court. The best-selling fragrance is “Angels of Florence.” All of the fragrances are also available as soaps. Ancient preparations include Santa Maria Novella water, lozenges, and lavender smelling salts. Men and baby products are also now available. An adjacent room has room fragrances, candles and sachets.

Herbal remedies/dietary supplements are available in another room. There is a tea room with a lovely outdoor garden with a fountain and orange tree. Herbal teas, honeys, liqueurs, fruit compotes, cookies and sweets, and chocolates are all available, as is organic olive oil from the Tuscan hills. Not to be missed is a recently restored frescoed sacristy of St. Niccolò dating from the 14th century and the aromatic herb garden.

Other ancient pharmacies can be found Florence. A beautiful garden to visit is located at Villa La Quiete on Via di Boldrone, part of the University of Florence, for which tours are available by reservation.

The SMN profumeria and farmacia, although it contains a museum, is very much a dynamic operation and an excellent source for Florence souvenirs which perfectly combine practicality with Florentine history. Imagine how impressed your girlfriend or mother would be to own a perfume created for Catherine de’ Medici!

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FASHION

EMERGING ITALIAN DESIGNERS: BYB AND 2ENTY26

by Sammantha Teller

Fashion enthusiasts in the Tuscany area should be on the look out for two up and coming designers Alessandra Pezzati and Eva Di Franco whose May 6th appearance at FLY marked the debut of their collaboration with FAST's retail space. The two designers are represented at the joint fashion exhibit called "Metamorphosis: Fashion Unfolds," to show off their new spring/ summer lines.

Both designers add a unique flare to their collections that set them apart from the rest of the fashion community.

Alessandra Pezzati is the founder of Build Your Bag (BYB). BYB is an “ethical and eclectic project of modular bags made from high quality Tuscan leather.” Her most recent spring and summer collection began in July of 2013. Since then she has put many hours into the completion 8

of her bags with the hopes that she can create a look for the everyday women. In general Alessandra gets her inspiration from the concept of functionality fashion. Her bags are able to bring the wearer options from a day to day basis as well as provide freedom from the ordinary. From the brand's multitude of colors to its various add-ons, the style brings expression to women of all ages. For the collection shown on May 6th, she states that her inspiration comes from Florence. She wanted this collection to be dedicated to the “traditional colors and feels of the Florentine countryside.” Alessandra is curious to discover what the public’s reactions towards her new line will be but she hopes for the best. She is extremely excited to be showing at FLY and can't wait for people to see her newest line that is a “quality item to last.”

Eva Di Franco is the founder of 2enty26. The line is “a creative brainwave investigating the relationships between human body

Photographs by Silvia Mancini

2enty26.tumblr.com www.bybfirenze.it

and cloth, for a three-dimensional fashion experience.” Eva’s collections are made of jersey material for comfort and freedom. The new spring/ summer collection allows for different ways of wearing as well as elastic and oversized comfort. For this collection Eva takes inspiration from the culture of Japan. She uses Japanese aesthetic principles to portray the collections simplistic geometric forms and basic elements of design. This gives her collection a timeless and natural aspect that can work for any age group's wardrobe. Eva states that “she has shown her most recent collection before and has gotten a good response from the public, so she is hoping to have the same from the audience visiting FLY.” Metamorphosis: Fashion Unfolds also featured the coursework of FUA students involved in the Spring 2014 fashion courses at FAST. Both emerging designers are extremely excited and hope to inspire young people today trying to pursue their dreams in the fashion industry.

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STUDENT VOICE

TRAINS AND LANGUAGES

by Katie Acompora

By taking painstakingly long train rides with Trenitalia, I discovered a melting pot of different cultures and languages. I was finally witnessing the lengths that other people take to communicate: the frustration, the embarrassment, and the breaking of language barriers, a theme that was all too relevant to my own experience abroad.

One woman next to me was leaving Paris to go back to Vienna, and she was speaking broken Italian and English to the man next to her that was originally from Bangladesh but was visiting Milan. It was interesting to see both of them speaking English as a means to communicate although it was neither of their native language. Although they did not always understand the English they were speaking or interpreting, the man bought her a cappuccino and they both continued their conversation with huge smiles on their faces throughout the train ride.

Meanwhile, a girl who was newly living in Florence was practicing her Italian with her tutor during the train ride in the two seats directly across from me. The train was filled with almost all native Italian speakers who were silent. However, this tutor was encouraging her to speak in Italian and I could sense her embarrassment and reluctance to speak when surrounded by native Italian speakers. Suddenly, an Italian

woman next to me lost her button and she said in Italian to us if we could look for it. After several minutes, the young girl excitedly picked up the button and said “Eccola.” Everyone smiled at her, myself included.

The lesson I learned from my train experience is one of dual nature, I should never be ashamed of the language that I speak or become afraid to discover a new language.

Florence is a melting pot of different cultures each day. Part of the reason why I enjoy living in Florence is because of the interesting variety of people I encounter on the streets from different countries. Being on the train is a lot like taking a walk through Florence. All of the people I encounter are all on different journeys, and they are becoming less foreign to me than I think. Communicating with others does not have to be only limited to speaking but it can be a simple shared moment of joy between people that are genuinely happy for a brief time.

FACULTY VOICE

FACULTY PROFILE NICOLETTA SALOMON

by Faith Roane

Photo courtesy of Nicoletta Salomon

Nicoletta Salomon is many things: a philosopher, a painter, a writer, a wife, a mother, and — to the FUA community — a teacher. Salomon thought three courses this Spring: Travel Writing and Ethics in Communication for FUA's J School, and Foundations of Drawing for the School of Fine Arts under Arts and Sciences.

Her educational background is based in philosophy and Greek history, but she has been writing and painting since she was a little girl. Salomon received her bachelors degree at Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa after winning a public

competition when she was in high school to attend this prestigious school for free. She fell in love with knowledge and learning, and from there pursued traveling the world for her education.

Ever since leaving her home to

pursue a higher level education after high school, Salomon has considered herself an exile. She has traveled to and lived in several different places in order to deepen her fields of study. As a result of this feeling of “exile,” she has 9

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created her own home in her art.

Her writings and paintings have become the place where she stores up her memories, “a world of words — transforming life into something with a cover.”

With a home built in books and paintings, Salomon is constantly

analyzing where she is and where she’s been: “Past and present and future are intertwined. Question the present by analyzing the future.

We have the right of mixing, blending these.”

This perspective on life has overflowed into her teaching.

Especially in her drawing and writing classes, Salomon teaches her students to consider the home in which they are building with their words when they write or the lines they sketch when they draw.

“It’s not a roof I need,” Salomon said, “but a cover.”

FACES & PLACES

The faces and places of Florence can be found anywhere. Outside, inside, here, and there.

They are familiar and unfamiliar, animate and inanimate. Travel Writing students Danya Migdali and Cara Regan respectively explore the themes sensations and experiences triggered through the interaction with a place, the dining table, and a face, an elderly painter.

DINNER TABLES

by Danya Migdali

The dinner table sat in the back room. Nothing exquisite about it, except for the long groove winding its way from one corner to the other, the slight burn marks as pots and pans left their impression during a hasty clatter and rush of dinner.

They pass the rich wood without thinking about it, a required cup of coffee set down during breakfast preparations, a dripping bottle of water getting warmer as the sun slowly covers more and more of the room. The bench connected to the left of the table houses tablecloths for all occasions, white patterned lace with red embroidery from their wedding day, never forgotten among

the busy years. They set the table for working; the blue fabric upside down beneath the extra plywood, the flour sprinkling around like fresh snow on the rich earth, thick dough being pushed and pulled, rolled and sliced, until a pile of fresh pasta sits heaping on the edge of the table. They clear it once again, a fresh paisley cloth set out, bowls and forks clinking into place, as the chairs scrape and groan accepting our weight. We sit, snippets of English and Italian tumbling from our smiling faces in between delicious mouthfuls of food, and again they don’t realize it. They don’t realize how for four months we squeeze around little square tables,

plastic cloths never releasing their sticky hold, fights over clean dishes and dirty refrigerators hide longings for family, for routine. How the land of beautiful food, fit with thousands of dining tables in restaurants and apartments, doesn’t always satisfy our need for a home. As we gather our things to leave, they hold us in a tight embrace, full stomachs pushing against each other, and give my shoulder a slight squeeze. In their broken English they invite us back whenever we want, and I think, by the glimmer in her mother’s eye, that maybe she does understand our need, not just for family, but for their dinner tables.

THE PAINTER

by Cara Regan

Photo courtesy of Sanjana Chimnani

“If you look at my paintings, then you know my story.”

I saw the vibrant colors, the intricate details and the emotion portrayed in each of the pieces as I sifted carefully through the painter’s work. How did it take me so long to go in? A place I walk by everyday. It was a small room with exquisite artwork covering every 10

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inch of the four walls. The painter asked me if I was an artist as well. I told him that unfortunately I was not; it was an appreciation rather than a talent. With that he handed me a blank canvas and motioned me over to his vast collection of paints and brushes.

“Paint what you feel,” he told me, noticing my apprehension.

I chose a brush at random and began my mediocre masterpiece. I felt his kind blue eyes watch over me. We spoke about our lives and travels as I filled the canvas

with various colors with no particular direction in mind.

With each stroke the minutes passed by. It was only the painter and I surrounded by his collection, which told the story of his life with no need for words. I was in awe. The painter was kind, generous, and listened intently to my stories that paled in comparison to his.

These are the people and places in Florence that cannot be planned; these are the things I will remember most.

STUDENT LIFE

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

by Anna Lieberman

The beautiful thing about studying here at FUA is that opportunities to integrate into Florentine life are just around the corner.

The Student Services department offers students the unique opportunity to go beyond the everyday interactions with Florentine residents by participating in community service. This socially relevant experience allows students to give something back to Florence by offering their time and services to various social and cultural organizations. For example, students volunteer their time at museums, canteens, churches of various denominations, or associations such as the British Institute Library, and La Tinaia Center

Image courtesy of SLD

for Expressive Arts. This is an extremely enriching emotional experience that contributes both to personal growth and cultural consciousness.

Ana Paula Villareal, a student from University of San Diego, has benefitted from the volunteer opportunity and spoke enthusiastically about her experience. “I volunteer with the Florentine preschool Xiemenes on Mondays. For an hour (sometimes a little longer), we work on a certain theme, review vocabulary, create a dance or movement game to help kids remember, and then participate in an art activity. For example, last week we learned about weather: sunny, cloudy, rainbows, etc. I am loving the experience and am having so much fun with the kids each visit. It's nice that I can practice my Italian but the best part is I feel like every time I leave the preschool I'm one hundred times happier than when I came in. I am loving this opportunity, especially because I want to be a teacher or work in the education field and this is perfect for me to try out new ideas and see how the kids learn.”

Marcella Rizzuti, who studies at University of Delaware, is currently a student tour guide at Santa Croce Church.

“A friend of mine had volunteered as a tour guide there last semester and highly recommended it so I had to take advantage of the opportunity. I go to the church once a week for a two hour session guiding English speaking tourists. I've learned so much about the church, from the artwork featured to the famous Italians who are buried within it. It is also wonderful to converse with the Italians who work in the church and interact with the tourists.”

Volunteer opportunities for students are another of the many opportunities that FUA has to offer during your study abroad experience. Make sure to contact sld-studentactivities@fua.it if you are interested.

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REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD

Supplemento di / Supplement to Blending Magazine

Direttore Responsabile /

Reg. Trib. di Firenze n° 5844 del 29 luglio 2011

Editor in chief

Anno 4 – Numero 3 - Maggio 2014 /

Matteo Brogi

Year 4 - Issue 3 - May 2014 Caporedattore / Editore / Publisher

Editorial Director

Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore

Grace Joh

Via Alfonso La Mamora, 39 50121 Firenze

Coordinamento Editoriale / Managing Editor

Sede editoriale /

Federico Cagnucci

Blending is a newsletter created

Editorial Headquarters

with and for students of Florence

Corso Tintori, 21

Redazione testi / Copy Editor

University of the Arts, the academic

50121 Firenze

Grace Joh

member of Palazzi FAIE.

Tel. 055-0332745 Progetto grafico e impaginazione /

The newsletter collaborates with the Student Life Department and

Stampato in proprio /

Graphic Design and Page Layout

Development Office.

Printed in house

Sanjana Chimnani

For information contact: blending@palazziflorence.com.

Redazione fotografica / Photo Editors Sanjana Chimnani

www.palazziflorence.com www.fua.it