Photo Recap of our First Week

We have arrived safely in Florence! For today's blog we have decided to do a picture recap of our first week in Italy. Each student submitted a favorite photo, with their captions below. 

Kelsie Basile: "Popes need boutiques, too!" We stumbled upon a store in Rome that specifically sold garments for priests and popes. Of course they need somewhere to shop, too!

Morgan Boncyk: Along our path we discovered new information, adventures, and experiences.  This poignant quote from the Tarot Garden left us all in a state of contemplation.

Audrey Rehberg: "The Tarot Garden was breathtaking and unlike anything I had seen before."

Anyia Clayton: "Bae goals." This is a statue depiction of Adam and Eve in the Tarot Garden.

Hannah Zaininger: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall." Inside the temporary home of artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who lived in the Tarot Garden while creating it.

Taylor Quarles: "It was so peaceful and beautiful here." This photo was taken at Villa Lante.

Sydney Rivera: "Italian camouflage?" This photo was taken near an Etruscan Necropolis site in Populonia.

Jalynn Evans: "Catching some rays at the beach of Populonia!"

Laura Long: "Wine barrels at a winery in Bolgheri!" We enjoyed a lovely meal and tasting here.

Kayleigh Mann: "Countryside views." This was taken on the bus ride from the Tarot Garden to our night's lodging.

Julia Stone: "I'm all the way up!" This was taken during a scenic and strenuous hike in Cinque Terre.

Hannah Calvert: "Confirmed: Everything really IS more beautiful in Italy." A beautiful door found in Cinque Terre.

Holly Jones: "We made it!" These ladies hiked all the way from Corniglia to Monterosso (a 3 hour trip) in Cinque Terre.

Chandler Dykstra: "Italy has a pizza my heart." A delicious pizza in Tuscany.

Dr. Andrea DeMaria: "Here is a photo of me with Chiara Clemente, who works for Florence University of the Arts in the Special Programs division. She is the reason our study abroad program is possible. She helped check me into my apartment, and then we enjoyed a delicious coffee and sweet treats, and some catching up. She is a strong supporter of our research, and I cannot wait for her to get to know each of our Purdue University students."

Our first week adventures were eye-opening, active, and educational. We are about to begin our research journey in Florence, and are looking forward to sharing our upcoming blog posts with all our followers! Also be sure to follow our program through Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #SexintheCitaly and #PurdueFUA.

This post was written by Dr. Andrea DeMaria and graduate assistants Audrey Rehberg and Sydney Rivera, while sitting in Dr. DeMaria's beautiful loft apartment sipping some gifted Prosecco.