UD Students Explore the Art and Culture of Italy

Apr 9, 2007 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

Forty-three UD students traveled for 9 days in Italy as part of this year's Art and Culture of Italy study tour. The tour, which took place March 1-9, marks the 20th international studies trip for the University of Dubuque since 2000. 

Over the past six years, short term study abroad at UD has grown steadily. Programs offered bring international experience to more students, including many who, for curricular or financial reasons, are not able to consider an entire semester of study abroad. 

"International study trips mean much more than sightseeing," commented Phyllis Garfield, coordinator of the International Studies Program. "We expect our students to return, even from a short study trip, with new knowledge about their world. We want the art and culture of other lands to become part of our students' own intellectual vocabularies, but we also know that some of the warmest memories will be about what our students learn about themselves by traveling. Travel helps our students to personalize their world views of other peoples and nations." 

As with each of UD's short-term study opportunities, the goal for this trip was to increase student awareness of the global community. The trip was led by Professors Alan Garfield and Dr. Charles Barland, and focused on the culture of Renaissance Italy as expressed in painting, sculpture and music. Students taking the trip for academic credit met several academic requirements before and after the trip itself. Highlights of the trip included a stop in Venice for a walking tour of the city and a visit to St. Mark's Square. Some chose to take in a Vivaldi concert at San Basso before continuing on to Florence. Time in Florence began with a tour theAccademia and Michelangelo's David, and a glimpse into the Italian Renaissance - Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, The Cathedral of Florence, The Baptistry, Giotto's Bell Tower, San Lorenzo and more, ending with a visit to Italy's most famous art gallery - the Uffizi. The last two days of the trip were spent in Rome, with tours of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Capital Hill, and - of course - the Vatican where the group visited St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. 

Nine amazing days - an international experience that will stay with the students for years to come. 
Student travelers included: 

Seth Alne (Rockwell City, IA) 
David Backhaus (Guttenberg, IA) 
Alissa Balsley (Brea, CA) 
Lisa Boehm (Oswego, IL) 
Cassandra Bonafacchi (Plainfield, IL) 
Patrick Broderick (Danville, IL) 
Matthew Curoe (Bernard, IA) 
Nicole Donahue (DeWitt, IA) 
Erika Dye (Bellevue, IA) 
Anthony Emma (Laguna Hills, CA) 
Amber Ewoldt (Bettendorf, IA) 
Michael Fielding (Marengo, IL) 
Kelly Flogel (Dubuque, IA) 
Justin Foust (Dubuque, IA) 
Chazse Goddard (DeWitt, IA) 
Anthony Higgins (Itasca, IL) 
Nicole Jellison (Dubuque, IA) 
Austin Kimler (Bettendorf, IA) 
Mathieu Labs (Friendship, WI) 
Krystle Lejano (San Diego, CA) 
Christina Lemmon (Dubuque, IA) 
Bradley Lidvall (Rockford, IL) 
Matthew Lisiecki (Elk Horn, WI) 
Nathan Lockwood (Homewood, IL) 
Douglas Mason (Cascade, IA) 
Carmen Meeks (Florrisant, MO) 
Keigo Nishida (FPO, AP) 
Noel Norup (Oregon, IL) 
Jenna Olson (Maquoketa, IA) 
Michael Pfarr (Le Sueur, MN) 
Sandi Quier (Palmer, AK) 
Brent Roeder (Guttenberg, IA) 
Nathan Schleuder (Dubuque, IA) 
Brian Shields (Palo, IA) 
Andrea Skalitzky (Waterloo, WI) 
Matthew Sooley (Grayslake, IL) 
Marcia Stewart (Dubuque, IA) 
Aaron Sulzberger (Muscatine, IA) 
Tiffany Summers (Bensenville, IL) 
Courtland Taylor (Rockford, IL) 
Mikaela Tully (Dubuque, IA) 
Ashley (Kathryn) Uelner (Dubuque, IA) 
Jamal Williams (Battle Creek, MI)