Castelraimondo, Marche

May 22-June 26, 2010

Rome, Florence, Assisi, Urbino with prof. Wallace

Questions and Answers

What are the dates?

The Institute begins immediately following the spring semester and final exams. The 2010 Summer program will begin on Saturday, May 22, and end on Sunday, June 26. This schedule offered several advantages:

• The early departure date enables you to fly at lower fares, thereby keeping your travel costs to a minimum.
• We too can help keep your costs down through off-season hotel and travel prices within Italy.
• Since the institute ends in June, you will still have about two months left in which to return home to a job, or to travel around Europe.
• The pleasant weather and fewer tourists make this the ideal time to be abroad.

Where?

The Washington University Summer Language Institute is located in Castelraimondo, a small but lively city in the hills of Marche. We chose Marche for several reasons:

Le Marche has an ancient history and has been occupied since Paleolithic times. The Piceni tribes ruled Le Marche starting in the 4th century BC, later absorbed by the growing power of Rome. King of the Franks conquered the area in the name of the church. Le Marche was the boundary between Papal and Imperial lands and the name Le Marche is derived from the Frankish word for "frontier." Napoleon interrupted Papal rule and in 1860 the Papal army was defeated. Le Marche was absorbed into the new nation of Italy shortly thereafter in November of 1861.

The region Marche is famous throughout Italy and the rest of Europe as the leader in the furniture industry, leather industry, in clothing manufacture as well as in excellent food and wine.
Le Marche is renowned for its many mediaeval festivals, held throughout the region, and in the beginning of June there is a spectacular event, Infiorata del Corpus Domini, in Castelraimondo.
Castelraimondo boasts some of the best gelaterie, or ice cream parlors, and its pizzerias are also something worth traveling to. Students can thus observe and participate in the Italian lifestyle at its enjoyable best. The cordial citizens of Castelraimondo help make this an ideal city in which to live.

Le Marche, the third region, alongside Tuscany and Umbria that makes up the central Italy. It is pronounced "lay markay," is plural (Le Marche) and is sometimes translated into English as "The Marches." The region lies on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the high Apennine mountains and much of it remains unspoilt by the ravages of mass tourism. While the Adriatic coast has been a mecca for "sun n' sand" holiday makers for centuries, in inland, perhaps more so than anywhere else in central Italy, you will find places where time really has stood still.

It is easy to travel to the other cities in central Italy:

• Florence: two hours away.
• Pertugia: 1.5 hours.
• Rome: 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the type of train you take.
• Assisi: one hour.
• Venezia: five hours.
• The seashore: one to two hours.

Where would I stay?

Students are housed in the Villa Casabianca, in Castelraimondo. The construction date of the villa is uncertain but its history goes back to 1573 when it belonged to an ancient organization of the Vatican State which owned the property for approximately 3 centuries. This today renovated Villa is a true modern facility which offers comfortable, sunny rooms with sufficient closet space, spotless bathrooms, a swimming pool, indoor gym, plenty of green space, and beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Best of all, the Villa boasts an excellent location: quietly situated on the edge of town, it allows easy access to the city on foot or by shuttle.
In past years we've enjoyed the privacy of the second floor which we share with no one. Rooms accommodate from two to six people.

Where and what would I eat?

Meals take place in the dining hall at the villa. Meals always provide a warm and informal setting in which to discuss our weekend plans, our classes, and our experiences.
The food is plentiful and carefully prepared. Accommodations can be made for students with special diets. No one goes hungry.

Breakfast is served at around 8:30, lunch at around 12:30, and dinner at around 7:30. A typical menu might include the following, with mineral water and wine served at lunch and dinner:

• Breakfast: tea or coffee, milk-slices of Tuscan bread with butter and jelly-home made cakes, biscotti and many delicious creations with nutella)
• Lunch & dinner are similar: pasta, risotto, soup, polenta-proteins in many forms and shapes (meat, fish, omelettes, cheese)-salad or any kind of vegetable (sliced tomatoes with fresh basilIs always a hit)-fruit, if you have room for it

What courses would I take?

Students who participate in the program typically enroll in two courses. One could be Elementary Italain (101) or Intermediate Italian (201) which combines second-year grammar and elementary reading selections. The other course, Italian 350, is an independent project, the purpose of which is to encourage you to put your language skills to use in a non-academic setting by researching a cultural topic of your choice. You may choose almost any subject you wish. Past projects have ranged from the art of Michelangelo to a day in the life of a street artist, to shoe design in Florence. In order for you to gather information, you will have to talk to someone who is an expert in the subject you have chosen. At the end of the Institute you will give an oral report on your findings.
Every year we custom make another course, if needed (101, 102, 308). This year our new course is an Art History mini course “An Introduction to Renaissance Art” with Prof. Bill Wallace who will lead us through Rome, Florence, Assisi and Urbino.
Washington University grants a total of six credits for these courses.

What would my day be like?

The day begins with breakfast, followed by the grammar lesson. After a break, we spend an hour in conversation section. After lunch you are free for the rest of the afternoon. You may choose to spend the afternoon shopping or wandering through town, or you may go to smaller towns in the region, or simply relax in the sun. Whatever you do, you must return to the Villa for dinner.
Naturally, you will also have to set some time aside to study. Italian 201, a five credit course, in Italy is an intensive version of what is already a fairly intensive course. We cover 14 weeks' worth of material in five. Generally, however, since the students are not enrolled in other courses, they have no trouble keeping up with the material. Students often study together and help one another master the material.

Naturally, you will also have to set some time aside to study. Italian 201, a five credit course, in Italy is an intensive version of what is already a fairly intensive course. We cover 14 weeks' worth of material in five. Generally, however, since the students are not enrolled in other courses, they have no trouble keeping up with the material. Students often study together and help one another master the material.

What would I do on the weekend?

The weekends Thursday after lunch, at which time you are free to leave town for a few days or stay in Castelraimondo if you prefer. Classes begin again on Monday morning, but you must return early on Sunday so you can be ready for lunch with your host family.

How much contact would I have with Italians?

You may have a great deal of contact with Italians. Classes are held in the morning, and the rest of the time students are encouraged to venture out on their own. You will also have occasion to meet and spend time with Italian students who are either staying in the town of Castelraimondo or gather in the area around the Villa to play sports.

Will there be organized trips?

Ma certo! We will spend a week travelling, as our final week or long weekends as a group, heading for southern or Northern Italy, depending on the wind. We will also go to the Adriatic coast for an afternoon or two in June, and we will take several day trips, exploring the region.

This sounds too good to be true! How much does it all cost?

• The cost for the 2010 program is $5,925 and will include:
• Room and board
• Tuition for six credits
• All expenses for organized trips, including trains, hotels, breakfast and dinner (lunches excluded)

The price does not include airfare, books, or personal spending money.
Airline tickets bought far in advance are available at reasonable rates. Students from past summers could help you find the best bargains on travel.

What are the prerequisites for the program?

If you are enrolling in Italian 201, you must have successfully completed two semesters of college-level Italian (or the equivalent) by the time the Institute begins. You must also complete the necessary application materials.

I'm wildly enthusiastic! How do I apply?

Each student must provide:

• A completed application form, available on this website or from the office
• One copy of his/her college transcript (freshman: please supply your high school transcript; order it from your high school or consult your college advisor for a copy)
• A signed and dated waiver form
• One letter of recommendation (can also be from high school teacher)
• One language evaluation form

For further information, contact the Director of the Institute:

Iva Youkilis
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
Washington University
Ridgley 301
Saint Louis, Missouri 63130
Voice: 314/935-6143
youkilis@artsci.wustl.edu

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