Home » Course Blog – Cultural Engagement and Exploration (2016)

Course Blog – Cultural Engagement and Exploration (2016)

We have arrived! On May 9, 2016 the Maymester in Sicily participants arrived in Cefalù to start our study of Mediterranean culture. It was an adventurous day as several students missed connections, had to be rebooked on different flights, and a handful arrived without their luggage. However, we were able to enjoy a delicious pasta dinner together at Al Porticciolo before settling in for a good night’s sleep.

And now begins our big adventure……

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Vatican Tour

https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive... KEEP READING

Posted by rita on June 2, 2017 in Blog posts

Interview with Cristina

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3u4p3TK0oZcVWpIdFN5b0ZjXzg/view?usp=sharing Cefalù is a small town and though I also come from a small town, Mint Hill, North Carolina, with only 23,000 inhabitants (Mint Hill), Cefalù is even smaller, with about 14,000 inhabitants. I have kept this in mind, as I have thought to myself again and again about why I hadn’t met much young...... KEEP READING

Posted by rita on June 2, 2017 in Blog posts

Being a Tourist in Rome

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LnfAEQZm6f_wvWanMDtHIoX_wK32TxNWP_O2ESBr8Ho/edit I had decided to stay in Cefalù for the free weekend because it was our last weekend in this lovely little town, but then my villa roommates began to plan a trip to Rome and I changed my mind. I think it is extraordinary to see historical monuments and natural wonders by yourself, but...... KEEP READING

Posted by rita on June 1, 2017 in Blog posts

A Classic Greek Tragedy

On Wednesday night, we attended a Greek Tragedy at the Teatro Greco of Siracusa. The theatre is built into a hill so that the audience can look down at the play and also see the city of Siracusa in the background. Seeing a play in Greek tragedy style was an unbelievable experience, especially to see...... KEEP READING

Posted by socrates on June 1, 2017 in 2017 Blog post, Blog posts

Siracusa Video Tour

... KEEP READING

Posted by socrates on June 1, 2017 in Blog posts

I’ve decided to write my last blog about sandwiches!

If you have spent any amount of time in new york, you already know that deli sandwiches are the cornerstone of a new yorker’s budget meals. Especially in the suburbs, everyone has their favorite deli. But there are undoubtedly some that are better than others. When I was in high school, there was a deli...... KEEP READING

Posted by alexb on June 1, 2017 in Blog posts

One on One interview: Education

I did a one on one interview with a woman named Caterina from Bagheria, and she has been a teacher for 15 years. She teaches Italian at Cultureforum (mostly to Germans and English speakers) and typically teaches a very small class. She decided to become a teacher because she had studied English and German at...... KEEP READING

Posted by Haley Topper on May 31, 2017 in Blog posts

Island of Adventures

Mount Etna is one of the most daunting natural wonders in the world. On Sunday, we climbed it as a group. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and is caused by the converging tectonic plates between Africa and Eurasia. Etna was a few hours away from us, just outside of the Catania. When...... KEEP READING

Posted by socrates on May 24, 2017 in Blog posts

Takeaways from Hiking Mount Etna

Hiking Mount Etna was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. When I saw a hike on the syllabus, I was expecting an easy, leisurely walk around the volcano. When our guide appeared on our bus with a warm hat, mittens, a rain jacket, and walking sticks, however, I realized that the hike...... KEEP READING

Posted by carolineh on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post, Blog posts

Appreciating Nature in a New Way

This view definitely required a hike, but every step was worth it from the top Vanderbilt girls are notorious for loving hikes. They all want to stay fit and fill their Instagram feeds at the same time. I dare you to find one who doesn’t own an Eno. However, their affinity for the great outdoors only...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 20, 2017 in 2017 Blog post, Blog posts

Are the Italians as unfriendly as they seem?

Smile. Verb/noun. Definition: a facial expression in which the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve slightly upward and which expresses especially amusement, pleasure, approval, or sometimes scorn. Smiling is something that is innate. As humans, we start to smile when we are only a few weeks old. It has been proven babies...... KEEP READING

Posted by emily on May 20, 2017 in Blog posts

Cooking in Cefalù

On May 17, we went into the hills of Cefalù for a full-course cooking class. Since the roads are so small, the bus had trouble after dropping us off and so our class was delayed for an hour while people helped the driver. The house of the chef was modern in design, with both an...... KEEP READING

Posted by Izzy Lewis on May 20, 2017 in Blog posts

Seeing the World in Photographs

Paintings of Cefalù done by a local artist, in the sand at the beach I see the world in pictures. When my eyes fall on a scene, I immediately frame a photo. I crop edges and play with colors and imagine adjusting the lighting. Our eyes work like cameras, with the power to change aperture, shutter...... KEEP READING

Posted by on May 17, 2017 in 2017 Blog post, Blog posts