Reflections on Siena from Barbara Combes Ingrassia '74, MLS '75

For Barbara Combes Ingrassia, learning and experiencing the rich culture and history from international experts was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Here she is sharing her thoughts on the trip:

"What an amazing experience! Spending time in Italy with Geneseo family was very special.

We discovered that we had so many things in common, in addition to being connected to SUNY Geneseo. We learned so much together on this trip and from each other. We looked out for one another and supported each other -- as members of a family would.

Dr. Ron Herzman teaching history on the spot where it happened

We experienced Italian life -- past, present and a peek into the future. We weren't just tourists seeing the usual sites. We learned so much in such a short time and reunited with Dr. Cook, Dr. Herzman and Dr. Doggett for special tours and lectures. It was a great privilege.

Our tour of Siena opened our eyes to Dante's role in Italian history and the relevance of the "Divine Comedy" today, and truly brought him to life. Dr. Cook skillfully guided us through the development of art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. He gave us a private tour of Uffizi Gallery, including corridors that are not even open to the public. It was mind boggling! His careful explanations opened my eyes to a new way of looking at, and understanding, great art.

It is such an honor for Geneseo to have these two gifted teachers/scholars on its faculty. It was an honor to have had them for classes "way back when."

While we had been introduced to much of this material during our undergraduate studies at Geneseo, seeing it "in real life" as others have seen it for hundreds of years is such an important educational experience.

Wherever life takes us, we truly are connected to Geneseo."

Siena Italy: Recap

Geneseo's Inaugural Alumni Travel program to Siena, Italy was a huge success, and you've already seen many of the great photos and experiences. In our final blog installment on the trip, we wanted to share some of the incredible places that were visited, to entice you to come next year!

Idyllic San Gimignano

San Gimignano

Pantheon, Rome

Trevi Fountain, Rome

The Colosseum, Rome

Il Campo in Siena

Museum of one of the horse racing teams

The canals of Venice

Venezia!

The sun sets on Venice

Montalcino countryside

Walled city of Montalcino

Soon to be Vino!

Uffizzi Gallery, Florence

Florence's famous Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

Siena Update #3 - Experiences around Italy!

Walking on the top of the city wall in Lucca on August 6. L to R are Barb and Tom Ingrassia, Jen Stier, Chris Zeltman, Tony DeFusto, Mike Nyhan, Raisa DeFusto

The beautiful San Gimignano countryside

Our group visits San Gimignano, Aug. 10

 

Heaven on earth in San Gimignano, Aug. 10

Making Pasta!

Rose Anderson and John Linfoot cooking Italian

Mike Nyhan and Jerry Scott conquer pasta rolling!

Il Campo in Siena, site of the famous horse races.

Outside a chapel in Montalcino after Sunday mass

• Take a look at the entire photo gallery!

Siena Italy: Alumni Dinner

Everyone has enjoyed so many great meals together on this trip! Here are a sampling of photos of us at the meals and in the hotel - tomorrow stay tuned for more!

Siena, Italy Week 1 Recap

Hello alumni! A quick update on our fantastic trip to Siena, Italy:

Arriving in Siena and touring the beautiful piazzas.

Relaxed and excited to begin our adventure!

An amazing cooking school experience. We learned, we cooked, and we ate - mangia!

Salute!

More updates to come!

Rose Anderson