Reunited in Florence!

It was a true delight for the staff to have a few days with the students in smaller groups.  The staff teams each found a way to thank their groups for being so well-behaved and enthusiastic--Lindsay, Giovanna, and William cooked brunch for the students on Sunday in the residence.  The students were sorely missing their old American faves like eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon, so the staff cooked them up a comfort food extravaganza!  

Stefano, Antonio, and I extended curfew for the students' final evening in Rome so that we could visit the Trevi Fountain at night, and then we played a few games in the Piazza Quirinale, overlooking St. Peter's and all of Rome (the piazza was empty when we began playing, but ten minutes into Giants, Wizards, and Elves, a combination of rock-paper-scissors, charades, and red rover, we had attracted some curious spectators).

When we returned to the residence, students were there waiting to reunite with their roommates.  There were smiles and hugs and squeals, and welcome home balloons--you'd think we'd been gone a year and not four days!  Liberte and Lauren even made lasagna to welcome Jessica and Adina back!

We've all returned and are ready to start enjoying the heart of the program.  Since the students now know how to maneuver in this great city, it's their moment to truly immerse themselves, use Italian with locals, put the maps away and criss-cross the city like pros!  I can't wait to report all the things that they discover!

Til then,

Janet