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The Italian Language Foundation

Promoting and Supporting Italian Language Education

Bringing Students to Italy

/ / Blog, Travel /

By Elisa Oliverio

Ciao a tutti! I’m Elisa Oliverio, an Adjunct Professor of Italian at FIU, Florida International University, and every summer in July, my colleague and mentor, Professor Magda Novelli and I have the pleasure of bringing FIU students to our study abroad program in the stunning Amalfi Coast. This month-long program is designed for students who wish to learn or improve their Italian language skills and immerse themselves in the Italian culture. The Department of Modern Languages at FIU offers a variety of language and cultural-based study abroad programs during the summer semester, and the Amalfi Coast is the perfect destination to experience the “dolce vita” and have an unforgettable adventure. Salerno, the city where we live for four weeks, is a true gem; a combination of unique emotions, the beauty of the coast, the charm of ancient history. 

The marvelous Amalfi Coast, with its beaches, cliffs, and enchanting caves, facing a sea that is a kaleidoscope of colors, enchants our students with its splendor. The program includes full-day excursions to Amalfi, Pompeii, Naples and Paestum, a pizza cooking class, and a farewell dinner. Students are enrolled in the Italian II course, taught by me and my colleague; it’s great to see our student’s language skills and cultural understanding blossom during this incredible journey. It’s been a joy to share these beautiful memories with our students and my colleague Magda. The Amalfi Coast is a magical place, and I’m excited to continue bringing FIU students to experience the wonders of Italy.

Is Venice for tourists or Venetians?

/ / Blog, Travel /

Traduzione italiana

Venezia is a destination for many tourists from around the world. According to estimates about 120,000 tourists visit Venezia daily. I traveled to “SERENISSIMA” this June and admired the marvelous buildings, impressive details, shops with artwork and small sleepy piazzas with cafes and delicious food. Walking around and getting lost with a gelato in your hand is the most Venetian experience. But there is the other side of Venezia: Piazza San Marco flooded with people, municipality officers asking tourists not to sit down, and keep on moving. Too many people. Way too many. After all, this is the summer season and Venezia lives off tourists.

Controversial implementation of a 5 Euro entry fee for all the visitors that did not book a night at a hotel or AirBnB made the international news. In the streets of Venezia you hear more English, Chinese or French than actual Italian. And you must wonder, is this a city I would like to live in? How do the Venetians feel about the tourists?

Well, I noticed many posters on the walls asking the Venetians to protest the “Disneyworld effect”. Venetians are demanding policies that regulate the massive amount of Airbnb’s that prohibit “non-tourists” to live and rent in the city of Venezia. Is this the hidden cost of our apps that offer so many cheap options of accommodations in a beautiful place like Venezia? I always looked at these apps as opportunities to generate profit and pleasure, but what does that mean to a family of Italians that cannot afford the rent in the lagoon? Commuting? Yes, but is this city an authentic Italian city anymore, if there are mostly tourists during summer? Or is it just an entertainment park for us, travelers from all over the world? 

As I walked behind an older Italian couple, I overheard the lady complaining about crowds, about people stopping everywhere and taking picture after picture, without a “ Scusa”, or a smile. Is this the other side of tourism?

Is this something that a 5 Euro entry fee will fix? Probably not. My only reasonable suggestion is that if you can, travel to Venezia during the off season. Buon Viaggio!

 

By Anna Porto.

Venezia: città per i turisti o per i veneziani?

/ / Blog, Travel /

English Translation

Venezia è una destinazione prediletta da molti turisti provenienti da tutto il mondo. Le statistiche mostrano che viene visitata da circa 120.000 turisti al giorno. Io ho visitato la “Serenissima” lo scorso giugno e ho potuto ammirarne i meravigliosi palazzi, gli straordinari dettagli, le gallerie d’arte e le piccole piazze tranquille con i caffè e le prelibatezze locali. Esiste tuttavia un altro lato di Venezia: Piazza San Marco è sempre gremita di turisti, e di vigili che ordinano ai turisti di non sedersi e di spostarsi. Troppa gente. Decisamente troppa. Dopotutto è estate, e Venezia vive di turismo.

L’introduzione di un ticket di 5 euro di ingresso a Venezia per i visitatori giornalieri non prenotati in hotel o AirB&B è stata molto dibattuta e se ne è parlato anche sui media internazionali. Per le le strade di Venezia si sente parlare più inglese, francese o cinese che italiano. E viene naturale domandarsi se è una città in cui si vivrebbe volentieri. Cosa pensano i veneziani dei turisti?

Ebbene, io in giro ho notato molti cartelloni che incoraggiavano i veneziani a protestare contro “l’effetto Disneyland”. I veneziani vorrebbero che l’offerta eccessiva di AirB&B, che rende impossibile ai non-turisti trovare un appartamento abbordabile, venisse regolamentata. È questo il lato negativo delle app che offrono innumerevoli opzioni di alloggio per tutti i budget in una città meravigliosa come Venezia? Io avevo sempre visto queste app come un’ottima invenzione, in grado di generare profitto e fornire un servizio piacevole, ma cosa comportano per una famiglia di italiani che non può più permettersi l’affitto in laguna? Certo si può vivere in periferia e fare il tragitto casa-lavoro in macchina, ma la città resta un’autentica città italiana se d’estate ci sono quasi solo turisti? O diventa semplicemente un parco divertimenti per noi visitatori stranieri?

Passeggiando dietro una coppia di anziani italiani, ho sentito la signora lamentarsi delle folle e della gente che si ferma dappertutto a scattare una foto dopo l’altra senza neanche dire “mi scusi” o un sorriso.

È questo il rovescio della medaglia del turismo? Ed è veramente qualcosa che si può aggiustare con un ticket di 5 euro? Probabilmente no. Comunque vi consiglio, se possibile, di visitare Venezia in bassa stagione. Buon viaggio!

My Italian Journey

/ / Blog, Travel /

By Matthew Mancini

As my surname suggests, I am a first-generation American on my father’s side. My father is Italian, and his family is from Monte San Giovanni—a small town in Lazio. Despite my father’s proficiency in the Italian language, he never taught my siblings or me the beautiful language. Thus, I took it upon myself to reconnect with my heritage and learn Italian in college. This semester, I took ITAL 1011: Italian Language and Culture Beginner, Intensive. Next semester, I am registered to take ITAL 1511: Italian Language and Culture Intermediate, Intensive (please find proof of registration below).

My Italian family traditions are of the utmost importance to me: cooking handmade gnocchi with my Nonna, playing “Asso Pigliatutto” with my uncle, and practicing speaking Italian with my father. My family and I have visited Italy twice. During our first trip, we stayed with extended family in Monte San Giovanni, traveling then to Rome, Florence, and Venice. During our second visit, we traveled around Southern Italy, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. The natural beauty of the country is breathtaking, and the Italian people fill the nation with a charming vibrance.

Italian history, literature, and art have always fascinated me. So much so, this semester, I took a course (IDST 1491: Dante’s Afterlife in Popular Culture) on Dante Alighieri’s Commedia. Reading this masterpiece has deepened my appreciation for the beauty of Italian culture!

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Word of the Day

  • indietro: behind

    Part of speech: adverb Example sentence:Sono indietro con i compiti; questo fine-settimana dovrò studiare. Sentence meaning: I'm behind in my homework; I'll have to study this weekend.