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The countdown until the study abroad trip to Italy in the fall has begun.Students and advisors, Derek Milne and Donna Mungen, will depart for Florence on Sept. 17 for their three-month journey.

Upon experiencing the medieval city of Florence, students will also have three days to explore the famous city of Rome. Students will have first-hand experience to the influences of the Roman Empire and the Christian Church with visits to the Roman Forum and Coliseum along with St. Peter’s and the Vatican.

After, students will enjoy the Tuscan sun in Siena and San Gimignano.

Advisor Donna Mungen, who has studied abroad herself, understands the life experience provided by studying in another country.

“The cultural exchange fundamentally changed my perspective and understanding of the world. It made me mature, become more independent, compassionate and develop friendships with individuals that I would never have known,” Mungen said.

Professor of Art History Joseph Futtner went with the Study Abroad program to Italy in 2007.

“It’s a life experience. [Mostly] it’s the first opportunity to travel outside of the familiar – or the family. Combined with the challenges of study, our students embark on a defining experience,” Futtner said.

Phillip Cabrera, 26-year-old communications major, partook in the study abroad program to Italy last fall.

“I have to say that the Italy semester abroad was by far one of the best experiences of my life so far,” Cabrera said.

Italian, anthropology, English and humanities classes will be taught during the trip.

After teaching classes in a different country, Mungen is aware of the difficulty students might face, but feels that the Italian culture will, “work as a laboratory for many of the literary and cinematic works that we will be studying in the classroom.”

“I will take a holistic approach to examining Italian culture, bringing together Italian music, dance and art,” Mungen said in explaining her humanities class.

Futtner shared a similar idea.

“Context is fundamental to art history. And it is the one component generally lacking from art history classes on campus. To be there, in the city of the early Renaissance, is incomparable,” Futtner said.

The students won’t get cheated out of a winter break either. A weeklong break from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8 will give students the chance to extensively travel through Europe. Popular spots to hit during the break include Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and the French Riviera.

“Personally, I went with all of the other guys to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest which included an all night drive through the Swiss Alps,” Cabrera said, “I also went to the island of Sicily and Amsterdam for separate weekends, as well as an extremely fun time in Prague.”

Futtner provides some insight for students who are trying to decide whether or not to join in on the trip.

“This is an opportunity of the present. None of us can predict what we’ll be doing two, five, 10 years from now. Italy changes everyone,” Futtner said.

It’s not too late. An informational meeting for students who are interested in going to the trip will be held today at noon in room C111. For additional information, visit the study abroad office in room C223.

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