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…

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

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The Savagery of a Sicilian Rest Stop

Up until last Sunday, my first two weeks in Sicily have been essentially stress-free. However, this all changed upon our rest stop on the way to Mount Etna. My naïve-self decided that I ought to take advantage of the rest stop, grab a coffee, a snack, and maybe use the restroom. Little did I understand…

Posted by matthewd on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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A Family Reunion

My father immigrated to America when he was 12 years old from an olive farm in Ventimiglia, Sicily.  One of his four siblings stayed behind to live here and take care of the farm.  My family here includes my Aunt Tina, Uncle Sebastiano, Cousin Nino, my cousin’s wife Antonella, and their child Sebastiano (Seby for…

Posted by pietro on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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Interview with Dario Restivo

http://vocaroo.com/i/s19pQlG6vBZb For my Interview I chose Dario Restivo and we conversed on May 15, 2017 from 11:30- 12:40 am.  I wanted to compare and contrast college student life in Italy and the United States.  He was born and grew up in Cefalù and attends the University of Palermo for college.  He is in his last…

Posted by pietro on May 23, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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Mount Etna

Experience Blog 4 Roaring winds filled with an onslaught of rain greeted our group as we stepped off the bus and onto the volcanic base of Mount Etna. We had barely been exposed to the tallest point on Sicily and we immediately ran into rain after not seeing a drop for the past two weeks….

Posted by evan on May 22, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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A True Italian Meal

Italy is the ideal place to take a cooking class; I love pasta, pizza, basically any type of Italian food ever. So I was over the moon when I learned that we were going up into the mountains to take a cooking class and simultaneously cook a lovely Italian dinner for ourselves. It was quite…

Posted by fum on May 22, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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Family Excursion to Ventimiglia

I was invited by my classmate Peter to hang out with his family that lives here in Sicily in a small, triangular town surrounded by mountains and beautiful open views, named Ventimiglia (of which Peter’s aunt Antuonella specified was not to be translated literally as ‘twenty mile’, but as the name of the former ruler…

Posted by chase on May 21, 2017 in 2017 Blog post

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Church in Cefalù

Post with pictures: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DNxAuDqsa9WZXQZgtrur5x7ARb7XwvWuvjx_fbj1jbI/edit?usp=sharing When I decided to apply to this particular Maymester in Sicily, I did so not only because of the location’s cultural and historical significance in the Mediterranean, but also, more largely, because of Italy’s religious importance for Catholics. As a Catholic, ever since I was a little girl completing my religious education,…

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

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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…

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

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A Day on the Sea

Today we rented a boat and explored the coastline of Sicily near Cefalu’. This was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing activities of the trip. The process of renting a boat was extremely easy as we were out to sea nearly ten minutes after arriving in the harbor. The process was infinitely more convenient…

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

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