Four University of Alberta graduates tell us what lessons they brought home from the university's School in Cortona, Italy, which offers students from any faculty the opportunity to learn about language, art, history, politics and - especially - life.
1. How to Be an Adult
Courtney Gleiberman, '11 BA
Managing money is different in another country, where you don't know the culture or speak the language, says Gleiberman. The experience taught her to be frugal and adaptable.
2. Communication Transcends Language
Christina Seal (Wolinski), '12 BCom, '13 Cert(HRMgt)
One of Seal's first memories of arriving in Italy was a smiling Italian who stepped up to help as she struggled to pull her heavy luggage off the carousel. She experienced this type of kindness frequently during her trip.
3. History is Real
For Gleiberman, the experience was like travelling back in time. Seeing first-hand how people created cities and culture made the learning more meaningful and encouraged her to go further with her education.
4. It's Good, Usually, to Explore New Things
Kelty Hawley, '09 BA, '14 MEd
Along with pizza, pasta and wine, Italy offered some foodie surprises. Hawley learned that Italian hot chocolate is so thick it has to be eaten with a spoon. (She usually ordered tea after that.)
5. Be Nice to Everyone; You Never Know Who Might Give You Free Wine
Before leaving Italy, Seal visited a café the students frequented to give the baristas a gift of latte syrup. One of the young men ran to the back and came out with 15 bottles of wine as a gift. "Learning the beauty in giving - that is a lesson we all need," she says.
6. Happy Mistakes Can Happen Anywhere
Brandon Bailey-Cummings, '09 BCom
A favourite local drink is Negroni sbagliato (which translates, roughly, to mistake). Legend has it that a Milanese bartender was mixing a Negroni and grabbed sparkling wine instead of gin. Bailey-Cummings now makes them at home.
7. Going Abroad Opens Your Eyes
Studying abroad was "life-changing," says Bailey-Cummings - and not just because he met his wife, Caitlynn Bailey-Cummings, '10 BA. Cortona was his first time outside North America. Since then, the couple has travelled to 13 countries and lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. "Living abroad is eye-opening," he says. "And humbling. You think you know a lot - and then you travel."
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