Things have really changed.
That's how Carl Bleyle, professor of music and director of the College's
Semester in Florence, describes the difference in the program since its
inception in the fall of 2001.
Students still examine the paintings of such masters as Leonardo da Vinci,
observe sculptures by Michelangelo, hear Gregorian chants sung by the
monks of San Miniato, walk the same streets and countryside as Galileo
and Dante did, and attend operas and concerts in Florence's cathedrals
and villas.
But Bleyle, who co-directs the program with his wife Patricia, says the
quality of the LAS study abroad experience has grown.
"The strength of the faculty that is teaching our students has improved
greatly," Bleyle said. "Teachers ar currently or have been on
the staffs of some pretty good institutions including New York University,
Syracuse, Oxford, and Georgetown. Cambridge University oversees the Italian
language program.
"They are teaching our students and they are liking our students,"
he continued. "They (the faculty) tell me that they love the candor
and freshness of the ideas our students are expressing in their classes."
One of the faculty members, Count/Dottore Niccolo Capponi, has almost
adopted the Iowa State students according to Bleyle. Capponi, whose family
has a history that dates back to the 14th century, teaches the semester's
political science course. His Florence residence, the Palazoo Capponi,
was the location of the filming of the movie "Hannibal."
"Our students have access to his library which contains an extensive
collection of letters dating back to the 1300s," Bleyle said. "When
we talk about Michelangelo, Niccolo Capponi can show the students an actual
letter from the 1500s that talks about Michelangelo."
Bleyle feels that the Semester in Florence has undergone two other changes
that have greatly improved the program.
First the quality of courses offered through the British Institute has
improved. Students are required to take Bleyle's "Tones of Florence"
course as well as a four-credit Italian course during their stay. The
remaining courses may be selected from a variety of subjects including
art, architecture, literature and social sciences. Iowa State students
have taken as few as 13 hours to as many as 23 hours a semester.
Previously Iowa State students were housed in two locations in historic
Florence. That has changed, Bleyle says, for the better.
"All students now live on the second floor of the Albany Lodge, which
is also on an historical property," he said. "The building is
right in the thick of everything."
Amenities include a computer, Internet access, television and DVD/Videocassette
player, full kitchen and laundry facilities.
"Our landlady (Margarita Martinez) lives in the apartment below
and has bonded with our students. She has become a great source of information
to them," Bleyle said.
The location of the housing is also an improvement. Now instead of being
on the outskirts of Florence, the Iowa State students are literally two
blocks from most everything.
Because of these reasons, and the city of Florence itself, the program
has continued to attract students from several majors at Iowa State. Bleyle
says six colleges have been represented by students in the short life
of the program, with the students coming from 25 different majors.
"This is the perfect learning community," he said. "The
students get to stay in the same place, all on one floor, and get to know
each other very well. The cross disciplinary discussion between the students
is a highlight. They are able to talk to people in other academic fields
and get other ideas."
This bonding continues when the students return to the Ames campus and
continue to meet for dinner to discuss their Tuscan experiences and promote
the semester to other students.
