EXAMPLES OF PAST AND CURRENT CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS
Please keep in mind that the following are examples of programs specifically built according to the requests of the affiliated institution.
Program Length: 1 week
Abroad Locations: Florence, Tuscany and Umbria
Program Description: Discover the taste of the great foods and wines of Italy. Food and wine have always been closely linked to Italian culture. This program is focused on the regions of Tuscany and Umbria and is designed to impart the cultural implications of all things Tuscan and Umbrian, from the preparation and traditions of food to how it is complimented by the regional wines, and finally how music, poetry, art and religion all play integral roles in the cultural identity of the people and the place. Throughout the course, participants will meet chefs and cookbook authors while simultaneously engaging directly with the beautiful art works and landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria.
Program Length: 2 weeks
Abroad Locations: Florence and Tuscany, Italy
Program Description: The historical importance of silk can be traced back in Europe for centuries, however the power associated with those who worked directly with it can be seen in Florence as far back as the Renaissance. Silk arrived in Florence in the 14th century at the time of the expulsion of the master weavers from Lucca. It wasn’t until the 15th century that the velvets, damasks, brocades and the lampas produced in Florence began to take a more prominent role throughout Europe, and so began the production of silks in Florence for the world stage. Florence has maintained its dominance by remaining a powerhouse of Italian fashion. It continues to turn out cutting-edge designs for the fashion industry through the productions of Salvatore Ferragamo, Emilio Pucci, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli and more. Florence continues to host fashion events throughout the year, the most notable include the Pitti Uomo, Donna and Bimbo, which draw fashion writers, photographers, critics, buyers and designers from around the globe. This program presents the modern-day textile and fashion industry through an exploration of the history that fostered its birth from the Renaissance times to present day through a hands-on experience including visits to museums, fashion production houses and much more.
Program Length: 2 weeks
Program Locations: Florence and Tuscany, Italy
Program Description: Rich in cultural history and winemaking tradition, the region of Tuscany is one of the most prosperous agricultural regions in the country. As one of the largest winegrowing businesses in Europe, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi has 2,500 acres of wine-producing land throughout its nine estates located in Tuscany. Three of the most prestigious are the Castel Giocondo Estate in Montalcino, the Castello di Nippozzano estate in Chianti Rufina and the Castiglioni estate in Chianti Colli Fiorentini. The other six, located in highly reputable Tuscan wine regions, include Castello di Pomino, Remole, Montagnanana, Valiano, Corte and Santa Maria. The birthplace of the Frescobaldi’s 700-year wine-producing history is the Castiglioni estate in Chianti Colli Fiorentini, where some of the oldest Merlot vineyards in Tuscany are located. Today, Tuscany is considered one of the prime winegrowing regions in the world, and together the Frescobaldi family along with the Mondavi family are creating new and exciting interpretations of classic Tuscan wines. Participants of this program will be walked through the Frescobaldi properties by one of the family members, Diletta, a dynamic Florentine with a PhD in economics and a renowned Sommelier. The tour will include visits from Florence to Montalcino and beyond in the company of the Frescobaldi family. This trip is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.
Program Length: 3 weeks
Program Locations: Florence and Tuscany, Italy
Program Description: This in-depth exploration of Italian culture has as its focus three major themes that are synonymous with the cultural achievements of Italy, both past and present. Fresco and fresco restoration, art history and Italian culture will all be examined and presented within a multidisciplinary approach that will enable students to make meaningful connections between subject matters. This approach will provide students a well-rounded understanding of Italian culture in a short period of study. The fresco workshop will involve hands-on technical work while allowing students the opportunity to discuss topics ranging from the chemical bases of restoration to the ethics of conservation. During the food culture part of the program, students will have the opportunity to explore a centuries-old vineyard where they will learn about wine production, marketing and tasting as well as study with local chefs and learn how prepare and taste regional culinary specialties. The art historical component of the program will concentrate on the Renaissance period, and will include traditional art history study in classroom and be supplemented by visits to museums, churches and palaces. The purpose of this program is to draw together the past and present of Italian culture to give students an accurate picture of Italian culture and lifestyle.
Program Length: 4 weeks
Program Locations: Florence and Rome, Italy
Program Description: This four-week program is divided into two parts: the first 18 days of study are based in Florence and the surrounding region and the last 10 days are held in Rome. The course focuses on the greats of the Florentine Renaissance, from Giotto to Michelangelo, visiting the major monuments and museums in Florence and Tuscany. The trip expands its historical focus when it continues in Rome, and focuses on the art of Classical Antiquity and its inspiration on the greats of the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. In addition to multiple visits to museums, galleries and monuments throughout the month of study, the program also includes a trip to the Tuscan countryside to visit Pienza, a city made famous by Pope Pius and Pecorino cheese as well as a visit to a famous vineyard in the region of Montepulciano. The students also participate in a cooking class in Florence at MINGLE’s affiliated culinary arts and hospitality school, Apicius.
Program Length: 4 weeks
Program Locations: Florence, Italy
Program Description: This four-week program offers an intensive study of Italian language and Italian literature. Students spend four days a week studying Italian in the mornings followed by a lecture and discussion on Dante Aligheri in the afternoons. The course is complimented by several other activities, including a tour of the fresh food market with a professional chef who teaches food culture in Italy, a cooking class featuring famous recipes from the region, as well as a day trip to the charming hamlet city of San Gimignano followed by an afternoon wine tasting at a local vineyard. Students who study Italian in Italy find that there studies are all the more rewarding as they are able to use their newly-attained knowledge on a daily basis, further developing their speaking skills.
Program Length: 7 weeks
Program Locations: Florence and Northern Tuscany, Italy
Program Description: A unique 7-week program that combines writing, photography and publishing where students create a travel book focused on the Versilia region of Tuscany. This intensive program is open to students of all disciplines. The program is split into two sessions, each three weeks in length, separated by an interim week. During the first session students will take classes to introduce them to the key concepts in writing and photography for publications. Following the first session, students will spend their interim week on-site in Versilia, located in Northern Tuscany, where they will begin to work on the final project, a travel book. During this week, students will collaborate with their instructors to develop, photograph, and organize content for the travel book. Following the interim week, students will return to Florence armed with the materials, ideas and inspiration to bring to life the publication. The second session of the program will be based in Florence where students will polish their project while taking two more classes. Students will spend time examining writing styles, editorial techniques and the professional challenges of book publishing and production. Following completion of the program and project, students will receive a copy of the guidebook.