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Sydney, Amanda and I took it upon ourselves to get tattoos in San Severo at an awesome place called Alex Tattoo. We went during siesta so sadly everything was closed so we had some time to spare at a local cafe. We talked and walked around the streets which was such a fun time because we were together being our goofy selfs. Finally, it was time to get our tattoos and I was very nervous. I haven't gotten a tattoo since I was 18 which was at least 6 years ago so I had forgotten the feeling. Sydney and Amanda were troopers but I could not stop shaking my legs until it was my turn. It honestly wasn't so bad and the tattoo artist had great music playing which defiantly helped. In the end our tattoos turned out great and we went with the saying ciao bella which means hello beautiful. People in italy say this all the time, so I thought it would be a perfect memory from the trip. I am so happy to say I got this tattoo with these lovely ladies because they are such amazing people. I did not know them very well coming into this trip but they made me feel part of the group. I won't forget this day and its a part of me forever. On our final days in Torremaggiore we went on a ton of tours. We started our day at the buffalo mozzarella farm. There we learned about the process of making mozzarella and of course met some buffalos. We then headed to the stunning winery called Sacco Vignaioli Apuli. There we went through the process of how wine is made. We got to sample afterwards there red and white wine. We talked over pizza and drinks and had to leave for a next destination. We went to 2 olive oil businesses and learned how olives were grown and processed into olive oil. I defiantly spent money this day but on wonderful products that I will be taking home with me. I'd like to thank Dr.Renzoni and Dr.Weber and the Buffalo State for making this trip so amazing and unforgettable. I have made the most amazing memories and teaching was my favorite part.
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Day one of teaching was everything and more. The kids were so flexible having us come in their class and change up their daily routine. They were so respectful and most importantly kind to us. They loved the song we sang "hello to everybody welcome to all of you" which we also sang in Italian as well. This was a fun way to connect to the students and start our day with them. We taught different lessons everyday and sometimes we couldn't teach because of the students schedules which was so cool to see how some of their other classes were run. The students had music class two of the days we were there which was awesome to see how they learned about instruments and singing. When we did teach wee did matching games and get to know you books with the kids. The best was how much effort they put into everything. They asked us questions and wanted to know so much about America. I learned so much just from being inside the classroom for a short amount of time. Students respect their teachers so much in Italy and don't need a lot of classroom management. This was crazy to see and it was so refreshing. I loved learning new words from them and teaching them new words as well. They were so welcoming everyday when we came into the classroom and would call us by our names. They made it a note to memorize them. Each student I got to work with was so sweet and you could tell the kind of student they were right away. A lot of the students love music and art. Seeing them be so passionate at a young age and willing to learn a new language was so cool. I have never experienced studying abroad so teaching in Torremaggiore was the most incredible experience I have ever had. It makes me want to teach in a different country because learning a new language and being in a completely different culture then I'm used to was unreal. I want to thank my teacher, Anna Rosa and the students for making this experience so wonderful and memorable for me. Teaching with Nick, Lindsey, and Lauren was such a blast and I learned so much from them as well. I also learned how much music can bring everyone together and it's inspiring me to incorporate it into my future classroom. Better start learning how to play the guitar. I think I'll ask Dr.Renzoni for some pointers. The afternoon were spent during siesta hours in which everything is closed down. So this is where me and my friends would venture off. Luckily the local market was open and this pizzeria in which we would go to everyday. It had delicious pizza and pasta and it was called none other than Pizza Love. One of the afternoons during the week the middle schoolers had a performance for us. They had a concert for us with their orchestra and lead singers. They sang popular pop songs in Italian so it was interesting to figure out what it was. The school gave us a tour afterwards and showed us there schools and gym. We also learned a little bit about their garden that students participate in as well. I love how involved the students are and give back to their community. The kids are so talented and it's been so fun getting to learn about the different schools. It was an adventure to get to Torremaggiore to say the least. We made it though and when we got there we headed straight to our BnB. We basically dropped off our stuff and headed to dinner. We were lucky enough to have the sweetest host señor grazie and his wife take care of us. Dinner was incredible and we were served at least four different dishes. The next day we got ready to meet the vice president at the city hall. The members of the council were so lovely to us and treated us as family. They gave us a warm welcome and took us to the primary school where the students were all standing outside with their teachers. They held up signs welcoming us to their town and sang songs to us. The students were so happy to see us which made me so excited to start teaching. Once they sang their national anthem to us, we sang ours back to them. The smiles on all their faces made me so happy to be their. We got a tour of the school and in one of the rooms we stopped in the teachers had set up a table filled with their popular sweets. The warm welcome they gave us was the most amazing gift I have ever received. We are strangers to them and they treat us with the most respect and I am so honored to be in this town.
We got to talk with all of the teachers and luckily we had a translator with us. It was so nice to learn a little bit about the school and how the students learn. It got me excited for some lessons and of course singing. We then headed to the next school in which I was going to teach at. This school did not have as much technology as the first one. My teacher, Anna Rosa welcomed us once we got their. She introduced us to her adorable third grade students and she has two classrooms. The teachers switch classrooms for different subject throughout the day. I found this very interesting. I was excited to see that they had a chalkboard which is defiantly not as common in classrooms in the US. The students spoke a little english because Anna Rosa speaks it as well as italian. Which gave me hope for my lessons. The language barrier will defiantly be a challenge but luckily Anna Rosa is there to help. I'm excited to teach with my group Nick, Lindsey, and Lauren. We wrote a book called Buffalonians having a Blast in Buffalo. It's going to be a blast to read to them about our culture and what we celebrate. I am also excited to teach them lessons as well with the group using the song in our book to teach them knew words in English. This day started bright an early for my roommates and I. We started our adventure at the colosseum where we had preordered tickets for an audio tour. This was a blast and so interesting to learn about the history of this beautiful structure. We were here for at least 2 hours and enjoyed ever minute of it. We learned of the history of why the colosseum was built and you guessed it... it was to show the might and power that Rome was and still is to this day. The battles that were fought and the forms of entertainment that happened there were insane and step up too our modern day form of technology.
Having a delicious meal got us ready for our next adventure. We walked all day exploring and running into very talented street performers. This led us to our next destination.... Victor Emmanuel II National Monument. This monument was created for the first king of Rome. Every detail and all the statues surrounding this monument are breathtaking. In respect of the monument two soldiers stand in silence to protect this monument. Sydney, Katie, Amanda, and I traveled up the steps to get a closer view of the statues. The one that caught my eye was the king himself on top of his horse. The statue had to have been at least ten feet tall (just a little bit taller than me). Upstairs was a hidden gem. It was a cafe and bar. So me and the girls took a pit stop and had a drink and some appetizers. Me not knowing my limit of espresso in Italy ordered 4. You could say I was up all night. It was a beautiful and sad last day. We got to see so much and ended the night with some more friends at a delicious restaurant called Osteria. Which had the most fabulous pasta. You could say Mary, Sydney, Kelly, Karly, Amanda, Katie, and I devoured it. Once we got back we had to pack up for a big day of traveling for the next day. Next stop Torremaggiore. Day two of Rome was another action filled day. It started out with a pasta making class with a side of tiramisu and of course wine. I went with my friends Lauren, Morgan, and Brittany. Rome is a new world for me and not knowing too much Italian doesn't help. We made an adventure out of it however and finally made it to the class. Francesco greeted us at the door and first thing he said was, "Get a glass of wine and we cook!" This was one of the coolest experiences and Francesco was a great teacher and a pleasure to be around. He taught us so much about how to make fettuccini and ravioli. I won't say I was good but I will say it's a working progress and I will definitely be recreating it at home.
Once the class was over with we headed over to the trevi fountain. I cannot get enough of this beautiful structure and how popular it is. This was one of my favorite days in Rome so far. Ciao, Sydney Landing in Rome was the excitement of it all. Once we got there we were already so exhausted but thrilled for the safe arrival. We headed over to our Hotel Orlanda and got ready for a day of exploring. First stop was none other than the colosseum. The photos may be one thing but actually being there was breathtaking. The structure is stunning and almost 2,000 years old. We all traveled around Rome on our first day there together. We brought a little buffalo along with us as well.... Brittany brought a buffalo bills flag from home. From there we went to the Vatican. This is the home of the Pope. The line to get into the basilica was at least a mile long.
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AuthorSalve! I am an Exceptional Education major with a concentration in English. I am also just finishing up my student teaching for the fall semester. I am beyond lucky and grateful to be traveling to Torremaggiore! I will use my experience from being in the classroom and bring it with me to Italy. This will be my first time studying abroad and I cannot wait to meet the kids. It has been a dream of mine to teach in Italy and it is just around the corner. I hope to teach as much as I can for the period I am there and learn all about the culture. Being able to have this opportunity will help me grow as a teacher and will open up my eyes to a new way of teaching. ArchivesCategories |