2 duffles packed full...

My time left in Auburn is quickly dwindling and the craziness of packing has arrived. I’ve gone through my wardrobe and personal belongings trying not to take too much and trying not to forget anything at the same time. My travel itinerary, passport, emergency phone numbers, and other important documents are printed and ready to go. My clothes, shoes, and toiletries have been packed in one of the two extra-large L.L.Bean Duffle Bags that will make the journey overseas with me.

My computer, cameras, i.pod, nook, wallet, and travel books have all found there places amongst the numerous pockets of my two carry-on bags of choice. 

Am I forgetting anything? I don't think so. But if I do, then I do. No panicking! I'm not traveling to a foreign land where normal people don't live. Italy has a population of 60,157,214 I'm pretty sure if I forget something I can buy it there. With that being said only 5 1/2 days stand in my way of boarding my Alitalia flight to Rome. Come Tuesday February 1st I'll officially begin my adventures abroad! Till then I'll be saying my "cya in April's" to my family, friends, and professors and enjoying my last few nights with Izzie and Nick (goldendoodle & boyfriend). My goals for this trip are to experience and see everything possible and to come home with 18 best friends I can stay in touch with for a lifetime. 

Ciao!

References:

http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/population_of_italy_in_2010

Back Pack- Urban Outfitters

Over-the-Shoulder Bag- American Eagle

What to learn, see, and do…

To say it, is cliche, but if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me what I was going to be studying in Italy, I’d be a millionaire. Therefore, let me give y’all some insight as to what I’ll be learning, seeing, and doing while I’m in Europe!

Taken directly from our course syllabus:

Purpose and Goals:

As early as the 16th century it became fashionable for young noble men, and later women, to embark on a tour of Europe as a culmination of their educational experience. This experience, known as the Grand Tour, typically lasted from a few months to as many as eight years. Italy, with its ancient heritage, became one of the most popular destinations on the Grand Tour as these young men and women visited Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples and immersed themselves in all facets of the foreign culture including, language, art, architecture, history, literature, food, clothing, and local customs. While abroad, travelers were expected to represent their home county, develop relationships with the people in the host county, and maintain these relationships through correspondence after their return home. Most young adults who participated in the Grand Tour kept diaries or journals describing their experiences and interactions with the local culture. There are many books describing the grand tour including, Jeremy Black’s Italy and the Grand Tour and Mark Twain’s The Innocents Abroad, as well as movies such as A Room With a View by E.M. Forster and Daisy Miller by Henry James.

Today, in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, you have the unique opportunity to participate in a 21st century Grand Tour through the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program. This semester-long program begins in the small town of Ariccia located approximately 20 miles from Rome and offers more than a dozen excursions to a variety of cities including, Rome, the neighboring towns of the Castelli Romani, Tivoli, Siena, Florence, Naples, and Milan. Optional travel opportunities also are available to Venice, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, and other interesting cities and sites visited by the Grand Tourists.

Following the path of the Grand Tour, students earn 16 credits (2 on campus and 14 in Italy) and the International Minor while immersing themselves in the art, architecture, history, language, philosophy, literature and film of Italy through the competent guidance of notable Italian lecturers who are experts in these areas. Additionally, they receive academic preparation in their areas of specialization in the College of Human Sciences–Consumer Affairs, Human Development and Family Studies, and Nutrition and Food Sciences through field trips, experiential learning activities, and academic research projects. Like their predecessors on the original Grand Tour, Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy students maintain a journal of their experiences, albeit in the digital age format of the BLOG, and make long lasting friendships, both with their Human Sciences peers and with Italian partners, that will last a lifetime.

This interdisciplinary experience offered by the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program is designed to help students:

broaden their world views, increase their awareness and appreciation of cultures different from their own, deepen their understanding of quality of life issues worldwide, develop their abilities to function effectively in a global community.

In keeping with the above goals, students enrolled in this study abroad experience are expected to be flexible, keep an open mind, respect cultural differences, and embrace inevitable changes in the schedule that reflect the cultural milieu.

What I Will Learn:

         •Conversational Italian

            •Art and architectural history

            •European history

            •Philosophical underpinning of Italian culture

            •Italian educational system

            •Italian family and child development trends

            •Italian cinema

            •Interior design and fashion industries

            •Mediterranean diet

            •Italian wine and olive oil industries

            •Regional food

            •Italian tourism

What I Will See:

Between 15 - 20 field trips, some that change seasonally to take advantage of weather conditions and special events, are planned to enhance the value of the lectures and discussions. These trips may include visits to:

         •Milan and the fashion and interior design industries

            •Florence/Siena and other Tuscan towns

            •Rome neighborhoods, art museums, fountains and sculptures,
                       churches, and ancient  archeological sites

            •Castelli Romani towns of Frascati, Nemi, and Castel Gandolfo

            • Pompeii

            •Anzio landing site and American World War II cemetery

            •Assisi and other Umbrian hill towns

            •Villas of Tivoli, Frascati and/or Rome

            •Etruscan sites and/or museums in Latium

            •Wineries and olive oil production facilities

            •Italian elementary and high schools

            •World Food Programme Headquarters in Rome

The program also has ample time is built into the schedule to allow us to travel on our own. Having Friday thru Sunday off every week I’m planning on taking trips to Paris, London, Prague, the Alps (anywhere will do!), Athens, Barcelona, Switzerland, and anywhere else I can get too! I want to make this trip worth every penny. Who knows the next time I’ll be given the opportunity to travel Europe not on my dollar, grazie mom and dad! I hope in the future when I have children of my own that I will be able to give them the same opportunities my parents have been able to give me. 

References:

http://www.keyposters.com/poster/426360.html

http://kimmydesign.com/italyposters.html

http://www.niceguy-dave.com/index.php?/professional/title1/http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Travel-Poster-London-TWA-Airlines-David-Klein-/160519275521

http://www.antiquehelper.com/item/314459

http://www.antiquehelper.com/item/314461

http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/italy/files/italy_syllabus.pdf

http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/italy/files/handbook.pdf

Ariccia: pronounced A-ree—cha

Ariccia, Italy, a small community located less than 20 miles from Rome will be where I call“home” for the 12 weeks I’m abroad. Up for a quick history lesson?

My Location; Ariccia, Italy

Aricia boasts very ancient origins. As in all Latin cities, the first inhabitants of these places had to fight to maintain their independence. "Aricia" was the capital of the Latin League at the end of the 4th century B.C., and the battle of Aricia successfully thwarted the military ambitions of the Etruscans in Southern Latium. The "Ariccini" also fought against Rome until being subjugated in the 4th century B.C.

Ariccia became one of the most important Roman communities because of its geographical position between two volcanic lakes, Albano Lake and Nemi Lake.

The people of Ariccia were devout worshippers of the goddess Diana, . Her temple, located in the "Nemus Aricinum", now Nemi, was one of the main sanctuaries in the Latin territory dedicated to the goddess . During the Middle Ages, Ariccia was sacked and pillaged by barbarians during the Roman campaign.

In 1473 Ariccia passed into the hands of the Savelli Family, which started the reconstruction of the territory, and began work on the noble palace. The development of Ariccia is strictly associated with Pope Alexander VII and his family, the Chigi, who in 1661 acquired this small fief from the Savelli. Pope Alexander VII asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to redesign Ariccia to change the rural aspect of the newly acquired possession and to give it a very modern and urban appearance. the town was completely re-zoned by the architectural genius. He collaborated with many artists, Carlo Fontana being the most well known amongst them.

Ariccia, Italy

In the beginning of the 1700's, Ariccia became a haven for important artists and writers of the time. Creativity flourished between the second half of the 18th Century and the beginning of the 19th Century, during which time the best artists, decorators, writers and poets worked in Ariccia during the Grand Tour.

In the course of the 19th century, the layout of the town changed greatly when the Appian Way, which went down through the valley (Valle Ariccia) was bonified, under the auspices of Pope Pius IX. Thanks to him, in fact, a bridge with three orders of arches was constructed over the thickly wooded area (now Chigi Park), where the road reached up to Galloro hill.

So that’s where I’ll be living for the next three months, Ariccia, Italy with a little history lesson to go with it.    (13 days till departure)

Ariccia, Italy 

Ariccia, Italy

Street View; Ariccia, Italy

Le Fraschette (restaurant); Ariccia, Italy

Chiesa collegiata di S. Maria Assunta; Ariccia, Italy

References:

http://www.romeartlover.it/Ariccia.html

http://www.palazzochigiariccia.it/english/ariccia/index.htm

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Ariccia-156292/TravelGuide-Ariccia.html 

Optimistic Itinerary

Fortunately, I was born into a family who can't sit still. Planning, traveling, changing, growing, experiencing, and learning is what us Krywicki's seem to do best. Since I was 6 months old my parents have been taking me, along with my older sister and brothers, around the United States, to different countries, and to various islands. Dr. Seuss can't say it better in his famous children's book, Oh, the Places You'll Go! 

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself 

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

                             And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

With the Joseph S. Bruno program we have day trips Tuesdays and Thursdays and free time Friday thru Sunday. Which means planning, traveling, experiencing, and learning are constants in my life this semester. I can steer myself and whoever wants to join me in any direction I choose. I'm completely on my own; I know where I want to go and I get to decide where I will get to go. For starters: 

Byron's Riviera, Portovenere & Cinque Terre(Vernazza)

Flipping through the pages of One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy, a book given to me as a gift from my summer intern boss, Sheena F. Jenkins, I discovered this gorgeous picture and riviera. Byron's Riviera is dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love and a bastion of defense for the powerful republic of Genoa. The Cinque Terre is collectively made up 5 villages: Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglian, and Monterosso. Vernazza and Riomaggiore make up two towns on my list of places to go in Italia!

Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore)

Verona, Italy, home to the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet and another place I'd like to go. Juliet's balcony isn't my reason to make the trip (however, it is a plus), my interest lies with in Casa di Gilulietta, Juliet's House. Amongst the walls and tunnels of the Casa di Giulietta, I want  to partake in the tradition and leave a letter on the Wall of Love. 

Verona, Italy; Wall of Love

My list could go on forever, but I'll leave y'all with one last place. The Italian Alps. I like the beach, I like hot weather, but I love the mountains especially covered in snow!

Ciao!

Arrivederci!

Ecstatic, thankful, fortunate, optimistic, intrigued, anxious, nervous, terrified, sad. My feelings as I being a new chapter, La mia vita in Italia (my life in Italy), in my book of life. I’ve been telling myself for the longest time, “when I’m older I’m going to travel all over Europe, see the things I’ve only studied about in text books and have seen on television, the things I could only dream of seeing in real life.” Well, it’s finally happening! Grazie, mom and dad, without the both of you this wouldn’t be happening. But, (there’s always a ‘but’) with the overwhelming excitement I have with only a few weeks before I leave comes nervousness, sadness, and fright.

        

When I began the Interior Design program with the College of Human Sciences at Auburn and read about the Joseph S. Bruno in Italy Abroad Program, I immediately signed my name and sent the deposit. An experience of a lifetime is what both my parents and I thought. I had nothing holding me back, no boyfriend or dog, no future plans or commitments. In the past three years…my how that has changed. As I leave the states January 30^th, I leave a serious (or what I call serious) boyfriend of over 2 years, a 1 year old puppy, my parents, siblings, nieces, and the rest of my friends and family for 12 weeks to experience Italy and everywhere that falls in my path. Of course my mom is probably more nervous and terrified than I am about leaving what I know best and going someplace I know nothing about, but that’s how moms are. I’m sad to leave the people I love most with my only forms of communication email and Skype, but I can’t complain about 3 months when I think about my sister and her husband, being in the Navy, gone 2 years.

I want to come home in April with stories upon stories to tell my family and friends, hundreds of pictures to document where I have been, and a group of girls I can call my best friends.

Ciao!

Jamie