Yesterday, CET students attended the welcome reception for new international students held in the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio. Here we are with the U.S. Consul General of Florence, Mary Ellen Countryman.
giovedì 23 settembre 2010
Firenze Cum Laude: Welcome Reception for Foreign Students, Sept. 22
Yesterday, CET students attended the welcome reception for new international students held in the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio. Here we are with the U.S. Consul General of Florence, Mary Ellen Countryman.
venerdì 17 settembre 2010
lunedì 13 settembre 2010
Newsletter Sept. 13-26
Announcements / CET Events
Sept. 15
Tues. Sept. 16
Duomo Climb and aperitivo
Mon. Sept. 20
Music Video Filming in Via della Scala (for all who signed up)
Tues Sept. 21
8 pm Teatro Comunale, Porgy and Bess (for all who signed up)
Wed, Sept. 22
Welcome Reception for International Students at Palazzo Vecchio (City Hall). 5:30 pm meet in Piazza della Signoria.
Sat, Sept. 25
Day Trip to Terme di Monsummano. Sign up!
Sun, Sept. 26
Corri la vita. Meet at 9 AM (for all who signed up). Don’t forget to pick up your t-shirt from Aria.
This week in Florence
Thurs Sept 16, 23
Jazz and Lounge Music Thursdays at the Oblate Library Cafe www.caffetteriadelleoblate it
Sunday Sept 19
Market in Piazza Santo Spirito (all day crafts and more)
Featured Restaurants:
Da Giorgio http://www.trattoriadagiorgio.it/ Via Palazzuolo 100R (across the street from Space Electronic)
Il Contadino Via Palazzuolo 69-71
Two local restaurants located on the same street –both accept Day Tickets and offer full menus (first dish, second dish, side, wine and water) for €12.
Anxious to explore? Suggestions in/around Florence:
San Gimignano:
"San Gimignano delle belle Torri" is a UNESCO world heritage site that begin as a 3rd century B.C. Etruscan settlement. The Tuscan town developed between the 9th and the 12th centuries and became home of a flourishing market embellished by beautiful palaces and by its famous towers, symbols of the wealth of the mercantile class. San Gimignano can be easily reached from the SITA bus station in Florence (Bus line Firenze-S.Gimignano, which a quick bus change in Poggibonsi).
Italian phrase of the week
Meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani
(Better an egg today than a chicken tomorrow)
Sept. 15 Movie and Dinner Night. 6 pm showing of “The American” followed by dinner in one of the apartments.
Duomo Climb and aperitivo
Mon. Sept. 20
Music Video Filming in Via della Scala (for all who signed up)
Tues Sept. 21
8 pm Teatro Comunale, Porgy and Bess (for all who signed up)
Wed, Sept. 22
Welcome Reception for International Students at Palazzo Vecchio (City Hall). 5:30 pm meet in Piazza della Signoria.
Sat, Sept. 25
Day Trip to Terme di Monsummano. Sign up!
Sun, Sept. 26
Corri la vita. Meet at 9 AM (for all who signed up). Don’t forget to pick up your t-shirt from Aria.
This week in Florence
Jazz and Lounge Music Thursdays at the Oblate Library Cafe www.caffetteriadelleoblate it
Sunday Sept 19
Market in Piazza Santo Spirito (all day crafts and more)
Featured Restaurants:
Il Contadino Via Palazzuolo 69-71
Two local restaurants located on the same street –both accept Day Tickets and offer full menus (first dish, second dish, side, wine and water) for €12.
Anxious to explore? Suggestions in/around Florence:
"San Gimignano delle belle Torri" is a UNESCO world heritage site that begin as a 3rd century B.C. Etruscan settlement. The Tuscan town developed between the 9th and the 12th centuries and became home of a flourishing market embellished by beautiful palaces and by its famous towers, symbols of the wealth of the mercantile class. San Gimignano can be easily reached from the SITA bus station in Florence (Bus line Firenze-S.Gimignano, which a quick bus change in Poggibonsi).
Italian phrase of the week
Meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani
(Better an egg today than a chicken tomorrow)
venerdì 10 settembre 2010
A Ride on the Aroma Wheel: Wine Tasting September 10-11 2010
We are on our way to becoming wine experts. Today, with the help of two professors from the University of Florence, we learned a little bit about the economy of wine production, the Italian classification system, and the steps to evaluating and tasting wine!
On Saturday, during our trip to the Rassegna del Chianti in the town of Greve, we had to remember to follow these steps without the help of two professionals. Dr. Alampi Sottini recommended we bring an aroma wheel with us as a guide:
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| Jill checks the Super Tuscan for color and clarity. It's a pretty intense ruby red thanks to the blend of San Giovese and Merlot ... |
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Kelsey checks for color and clarity; this bianco IGT is "straw yellow" with some hints of green... Made from 100% San Giovese grapes, this one's quite dry and darker than Chianti made from a San Giovese blend. |
 Dr. Alampi Sottini and Dr. Scozzafava from the University of Florence explain the basics behind wine production and classifcation while guiding us through the tasting. |
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| Alex, Chiara and Denny |
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Student Correspondent News: Arrival Day, or "I may have actually partcipated in the Grand Prix"
After getting off the plane, I schlepped my two enormous bags into the Florence airport. Looking around fervently, I quickly saw the CET representative waiting for me. Following a quick encounter with the study abroad representative, I hopped in a cab and said in a shaky voice for the driver to bring me to my new address.
Right about now you’re probably thinking “Dang, Sarah is quite the cosmopolitan traveler filled with sophistication and world knowledge.” First thing, I was instructed to get a cab to take me to my apartment. Alone. Yeah, that’s when the visions of “Taken” began to cloud my vision. Thus, I was that American girl who would only ride in a taxi with a female driver. After holding up the taxi line for way too long, I finally got in a cab with a very motherly looking driver. Gave her my address and said a little prayer in hopes of making it to this unknown location. I’ll be the first one to say I’m all for creating ideas based on interactions with people rather than relying on stereotypes but …believe the stereotypes you have about Italian drivers. I think I may have actually participated in the Grand Prix. However, within the blur of the world flashing by me I was still able to absorb a little of Italy. Scenes of this new city flew by my window and I just sat with my face pressed up against the glass taking it all in.
Screeching to a halt outside a crowded lane, my dear female cab driver (let’s call her Maria) helped to unload my baggage on the curb and then impatiently stood watching me fumble through my bags for the correct amount of Euros. Due to the maintenance of my mortality in the drive, I thought a 5-euro tip would be appropriate. Upon receiving her payment, Maria scooped me into a hug engulfing me with her Versace perfume (I know my scents). Feeling a little better, I picked up my bags, squared my shoulders and marched into the place I would call home for the next four months.
(Later I learned that Italians don’t really tip at all. Maria probably thought I was wacko…hopefully just benevolent)
After hauling my bags up four flights of stairs, I reached out a quite pathetic-looking fist and knocked … the ancient looking door slowly opened inwards revealing a smiling face. Chiara, my Italian roommate, welcomed me into her home. Not much language was shared but the warmth of her hospitality could not be mistaken. Immediately, I felt at ease and knew that this was my destination - this is why I came to Italy, to experience life as an Italian (at least for a little while). After meeting up with the three other girls from Vanderbilt who I’m living with, my feelings were confirmed. This is going to be alright. In fact, it’s going to be really good.
Sarah Estopinal
CET Academic Programs
Fall 2010
Right about now you’re probably thinking “Dang, Sarah is quite the cosmopolitan traveler filled with sophistication and world knowledge.” First thing, I was instructed to get a cab to take me to my apartment. Alone. Yeah, that’s when the visions of “Taken” began to cloud my vision. Thus, I was that American girl who would only ride in a taxi with a female driver. After holding up the taxi line for way too long, I finally got in a cab with a very motherly looking driver. Gave her my address and said a little prayer in hopes of making it to this unknown location. I’ll be the first one to say I’m all for creating ideas based on interactions with people rather than relying on stereotypes but …believe the stereotypes you have about Italian drivers. I think I may have actually participated in the Grand Prix. However, within the blur of the world flashing by me I was still able to absorb a little of Italy. Scenes of this new city flew by my window and I just sat with my face pressed up against the glass taking it all in.
Screeching to a halt outside a crowded lane, my dear female cab driver (let’s call her Maria) helped to unload my baggage on the curb and then impatiently stood watching me fumble through my bags for the correct amount of Euros. Due to the maintenance of my mortality in the drive, I thought a 5-euro tip would be appropriate. Upon receiving her payment, Maria scooped me into a hug engulfing me with her Versace perfume (I know my scents). Feeling a little better, I picked up my bags, squared my shoulders and marched into the place I would call home for the next four months.
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| La nostra cucina! |
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| View from my aparment |
(Later I learned that Italians don’t really tip at all. Maria probably thought I was wacko…hopefully just benevolent)
After hauling my bags up four flights of stairs, I reached out a quite pathetic-looking fist and knocked … the ancient looking door slowly opened inwards revealing a smiling face. Chiara, my Italian roommate, welcomed me into her home. Not much language was shared but the warmth of her hospitality could not be mistaken. Immediately, I felt at ease and knew that this was my destination - this is why I came to Italy, to experience life as an Italian (at least for a little while). After meeting up with the three other girls from Vanderbilt who I’m living with, my feelings were confirmed. This is going to be alright. In fact, it’s going to be really good.
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| With my roommates (L-R): Kelsey, me, Chiara, Mary Lamar and Hayley in Fiesole. |
Sarah Estopinal
CET Academic Programs
Fall 2010
mercoledì 8 settembre 2010
Student Correspondent News: Pizza-Making Lesson, or "No Carb Left Behind"
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| Christine, Jill and Sarah with their creations |
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| Mary Lamar and I rolling out our pizza dough |
In the end though the pizza was absolutely delicious, I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I ate the whole thing (and then stopped for gelato...) It was a great dinner with our entire group too and made me feel a little more Italian. Maybe someday I'll be able to replicate my pizza along with my other Italian recipes back home in the states! (minus the wood burning oven!) Next up will be understanding wine thanks to our wine-tasting class and vineyard trip!
Ciao!
Jennifer MacLean
CET Academic Programs
Fall 2010
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| Our group at the restaurant |
domenica 5 settembre 2010
Fiesole! Festa del Pane!
Our first Sunday in Florence: Antique Market in Fiesole and the Festa del Pane in Florence!
Piazza Mino, Fiesole
Florence from the top ...
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festa del pane, ss annunziata |
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