I checked my email this morning to find a message from a fellow UMass student by the name of Brendan Ledoux. Brendan is a sophomore considering heading to Siracusa next fall and wanted to get a bit of insight from someone there. Hopefully, he won't mind me posting his question and my response, as I think you'll enjoy it.
Ciao,
Frank
Quoting bledoux@student.umass.edu:
> > > > Dear Frank Vitale,> > Hey this is Brendan Ledoux a Sophomore at UMass Amherst. I was interested in> going to Saracusa next fall and JoAnn from IPO gave me your email address and> said that you had gone. How is it there? Is it beautiful? How are the people> like? Have you met lots of italians? Is the language or dialect a bit> different> from the mainland? Does it get boring not being a huge city like Rome? What> do> you do with your friends there. Sorry for all the questions haha i just want> to> make a good decision.> > > -Bren>
Brendan,
I cannot reccommend Siracusa highly enough to you, especially if you're thinking about the API program. It is a new experience for me to be able to open my eyes (almost) anywhere and have it be a beautiful or intriguing new sight. All the people I have met are friendly, and classes so far are going pretty well (if you don't mind taking Italian every day, sign up for intensive. It makes a world of difference). As I am brand new to the Italian language, it would be difficult for me to speak on the differences in dialect, however, my roommate is a fairly able speaker, and he very occasionally has some trouble understanding some of the locals. As for the locals, they have almost all been very helpful and friendly. I've become somewhat friendly with some of the people working at the cafes and restaurants we frequent, but not a whole lot of people our age. We stay on the island of Ortiga, the historical and cultural heart of the city, and though it's very small, I have not been bored since I arrived. With API, you do a few days in Rome to orient yourself to the time zone, culture and some of the language. Rome was one of the most amazing places I've ever been, but I really do like it more here in Siracusa. The natural beauty and the sheer effect the history has on you is really striking, and I honestly feel far more comfortable on Ortiga than I did in Rome. Plus, API and MCAS plan out so much for you to do that you get plenty of time out of the city. You also have a week off to travel as you wish (I think I'm going to tour Italy for a few days before heading off to Germany and Spain with some friends). Just so you've got an idea of what life is like here, this is what I did yesterday:
Woke up and stopped at a cafe on the way to class (a five minute walk), picking up an espresso and a chocolate filled pastry
Italian class with three other students
Grabbed a sandwich from a local deli (2 euro for an excellent sandwich and a liter and a half of water)
Went to the open air market to pick up food for dinner and lunch for the next few days
Kept up on world and US affairs through an hour or so of BBC
Classes on the Mafia and Roman Arch, then video chatted with some friends back home
Grabbed a slice of pizza in anticipation of a late dinner
Finished homework and reading (light amounts) back at the apartment
Took a nap (the heat does that)
Cooked dinner and did a bit more reading before showering and heading out to a friends apartment to pick them up for the Italian passaggiero (sort of an evening stroll) and for gelato, which is freaking awesome, by the way
Went home and polished off leftovers with roommates before heading to bed.
If you decide to come here, you'll be making an excellent decision. Every second of my time here has been filled with something new and wonderful, and I've begun to learn things about myself that I never could have discovered at home (I am, for example, a pretty good cook). It has given me a brand new perspective on life and I can't wait to bring that back home to those I care about.
I have been trying to keep a blog, and though it's been lagging a bit of late, it should give you an idea of how things are here: callingamerica.blogspot.com
Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask more questions,
Frank
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