LF
Lisa Ferrari
  • Mathematics
  • Class of 2016
  • Sandy Hook, CT

Eastern Student Lisa Ferrari of Sandy Hook Completes Global Field Course to Italy

2016 Aug 16

The Office of Continuing Studies and Enhanced Learning at Eastern offers Global Field Courses throughout the academic year. The programs offer the opportunity to earn at least three credits while traveling with an Eastern faculty member. A group of Eastern students recently traveled to Italy as part of a global field course, titled "Creative Writing," with English Professor Chris Torockio.

Lisa Ferrari '16 of Sandy Hook was one of the students who participated in the course. Ferrari's major is Mathematics.

The group of students traveled to Florence, Italy from June 23 to July 28. The students spent five weeks in the intensive creative writing workshop during which they wrote, critiqued and edited original works of short fiction. Students were instructed to use the Tuscan views, scenery, art and architecture to inspire their writing.

The students worked in the courtyard of Studio Art Centers International (SACI) where, surrounded by gardens, they met twice a week to review their work.

Professor Torockio made the series of workshops as engaging as possible. Aside from the workshops, students spent time traveling to different locations in Tuscany. Each Sunday students traveled to quaint and picturesque cities such as Lucca, Siena, Pisa, San Gimgnano and Fiesole.

They were also given opportunities to visit museums, galleries and other well-known attractions. SACI provided students with transportation to five cities where they were guided through churches, tombs, cathedrals and other historic areas in each town.

Aside from the structured historic visits, students were given the freedom to travel to various destinations on weekends. This year's group took advantage of traveling to destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Dublin, and Amsterdam among others. Students began to understand the city and the locals in it.

Torockio used the spring semester to help the students prepare for their trip, offering several informational sessions as well as advice from past participants. Students stayed in various apartments throughout the city. They were never far from a palace or grand building.

Eastern provides students with many opportunities to travel via global field courses, study abroad and experience life outside of their comfort zone.