Italy is one of the top destinations of American study abroad students, and when American students who identify as female go to Italy for the first time, they can become hyper-aware of street harassment (“cat-calling”). Granted, no urban sidewalk anywhere in the world is free of commentary from strangers, but when the language is different, … More Catcalling in Another Language
Dear EKU students traveling for the first time to Florence, Italy: To help you avoid a faux pas or other social awkwardness in Italy, I’ve prepared a listicle with ten ordinary behaviors you’ll most likely see in Florence that you haven’t experienced in the U.S., particularly not in Kentucky. Please note: once you’ve grown accustomed … More When in Firenze, do as the Fiorentini
According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, study abroad is a high-impact practice that can be “life-changing.” Teaching abroad can also be life-changing. As a faculty member, leading a study abroad class almost always requires shifting your pedagogical style to fit on-site resources, but it’s an incredibly rewarding experience in professional development. As … More A Passport to Innovation: Teaching Abroad
Based on my own travel experiences and those of my students during their study abroad, I’ve put together this list for Summer 2018 students who are studying abroad in Florence. Clothing Keep in mind that you’ll have access to a washing machine but not a dryer; the overwhelming majority of Italians hang their laundry to … More Ready? Set? Start Packing!
EKU Students! If you talk to anyone who went to Florence with me last summer, you’ll hear variations on the same theme: “THE TIME OF MY LIFE!” I’ve put together a PDF of a presentation about the Summer 2017 trip, and I hope you’ll glance through it and spread the word. If you need funding, … More Come to Florence with Me! June 2017!
Reflections, on this next-to-last day of my month in Italy One of the things my well-traveled manpanion told me last year before I went to Austria and Germany was to interact with locals. Last year, our Salzburg Global Seminar schedule allowed for only minimal interaction with the residents of Salzburg and Munich, but this year has … More Oh, The Places We’ve Gone!
Anywhere in the world, if someone is being harassed or abused, a bystander should do something about it. A bystander who is trained in the Green Dot violence prevention strategy absolutely must step forward, be the one person who speaks up, and do the right thing. Tonight in Florence, Italy, my students and I were standing … More Green Dots in Italy
