Spoleto Study Abroad 2014: Highlights of the Week

A local celebrity and Spoleto Study Abroad perennial favorite, Ercelio.

Sunday Fun-day

Between time spent learning about Giotto to time spent exploring the streets of Florence and Rome, it can be hard to believe that students have any sort of free time. But so much more has happened during our first week in Spoleto than just classes and trips. We've explored the markets, befriended the local fruit vendor, participated in a scavenger hunt, climbed Monteluco, made our own glass beads (with the help of some Roman artisans), enjoyed the convent's newly installed Wi-fi, and performed in our very first performance class.

Students huddled around the modern campfire, the convent's new Wi-Fi zone.

In an attempt to become familiar with the streets of Spoleto (and to put their Italian classes to good use!), the students competed in a scavenger hunt Sunday evening (7/13). Armed with cameras and "Dov'é" (Italian for 'where is...'), they had a blast finding gelaterias and various teacher checkpoints around Spoleto.

Navigating Spoleto during the Scavenger Hunt

On Friday, many students made the effort to wake up early and take the walk down the hill to Nuovo Spoleto (New Spoleto), where they perused the various market stands set up along the streets. From flowers to scarves, from pots and pans to dresses, students had fun experiencing the weekly market.

Looking through the scarves and jewelry at the market stands

Flowers and plants at the market.

At the performance classes, students explain what they have been working on through the week and analyze their own progress. This week we had six writers, three photographers, a pianist, and four vocalists participate. There will be a faculty recital on Tuesday and the next performance class will be on Friday.

Madi sings.

Saran sings.

India reads an original piece.

Liam plays the piano.

Annie displays some of her photos.

Each day, we are treated to three-course lunches and dinners at the Clitunno, a local hotel and restaurant in Spoleto. It's an Italian treat!

Grace, Peyton, and Annie enjoying the Clitunno.

This week, we had two birthdays; Hannah and Emma, who both turned 16! In celebration, pastries were served and enjoyed by all!

The delectable Birthday pastries, served in honor of Hannah and Emma

Sampling the varied gelato flavors has become a nighttime ritual for many students. Between the Spoletini Gelaterias that have become the regular favorites and the Gelaterias sampled in the towns and cities visited outside of Spoleto, many claim to now be gelato connoisseurs. As for which is the best — the consensus is that there are no bad flavors!

Katie tries the Assisi gelato.

Amelia and Lauren sample the local flavors.

On Sunday, glass artisans from Rome, Luca and Nicola, visited the convent to demonstrate their craft and allow the students a chance to try it themselves! After showing the students their process in creating glass beads, Luca allowed several students to step forward and try their hand at creating their own. With Luca's guiding eye, many got the chance to create something they had never created before.

Luca demonstrates the art of bead making to attentive students

Luca adds decorative accents to a newly created bead.

After a half hour of instruction, Nicola displayed beads and wares for the students to buy.

Nicola shows the jewelry to the students.

Annie Lee makes a bead of her own.

Megan works on a bead.

Matt gets instruction from Luca.

In the whirl of excitement, two of the nuns were able to take part in the experience.

On Sunday afternoon some students and fellows made the climb up Monteluco. The views at the top were well worth the trials to get there. Spoleto is stunning from every angle.