L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 20 L'Italo-Americano E x p l o r e a n d d o n ' t overschedule I n m y u n d e r g r a d u a t e s ' study abroad program, one e x c u r s i o n s t a n d s o u t – the unplanned day. For this activity, teams indepen- dently venture out to an unk- nown community. There's no briefing before. Phones are reserved for emergencies. O n e g r o u p v i s i t e d I s o l a Comacina, Lake Como's only island. As soon as the stu- dents stepped off the ferry, Fabrizio, a pier worker, deli- vered a warm greeting and an impromptu lesson on the area's history. Keeping space for random elements in your trip can lead to memorable encounters. If there are too many pre-planned attrac- tions on your schedule, you'll m i s s t h e s e s p o n t a n e o u s experiences. Give yourself permission to let the day unfold authentically. Stay positive To make the most of any trip, you'll need the right m i n d s e t . I t c a n c l e a r t h e o b s t a c l e s t h a t b l o c k y o u f r o m t r a n s c e n d i n g t h e superficial. Don't back down from a potentially transfor- mative situation because of fear or assumptions. Suppo- the culture Being steeped in the cul- ture can leave a profound impression. Travelers often hit the most popular Italian cities, Venice, Florence, and R o m e . I n m a j o r d e s t i n a - tions, you'll be surrounded by tourist culture. But The Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy, a network of 335 bor- ghi, or small villages, stands apart from the typical itine- rary. A window into simpler times, many of these cultural gems date back to the Midd- le Ages or Renaissance. They may just be the perfect envi- ronment to soak up culture. Picture yourself crisscrossing clusters of rustic stone buil- dings, in the ambiance of a lush valley or sweepingly d r a m a t i c h i l l s . I n a borgo (village), you can nourish your body and soul with a humble dish of histo- r i c o r i g i n s . F o r e x a m p l e , while visiting the Abruzzo region's borghi, treat your- self to maccheroni alla chi- tarra, a pasta that emerges by rolling the dough over the chitarra, a traditional device resembling a string instrument. These genuine e x p e r i e n c e s a r e t h e i d e a l path to immersion. s e y o u ' r e a t a n o u t d o o r market and an aged, artisa- n a l h u n k o f C a c i o t t a d i Capra Stagionata, a creamy ripened goat's milk cheese, catches your eye: ask about it. You may score a free sam- ple as you learn about the pastures the goats graze and the family raising them. Your mindset also plays a role in how you handle the anxiety of communicating in a forei- g n l a n g u a g e . R e s e a r c h e r Carol Dweck's work popula- r i z e d t h e i d e a o f h a v i n g e i t h e r a f i x e d o r g r o w t h mindset. Choose to think of minor failures as an oppor- tunity to learn, embodying a growth mindset. Believe it's possible to improve and the odds are you will. About the author: Dr. Patrick Tunno is the inaugu- ral Director of Penn State University's Center for Glo- bal Engineering Engagement and an Associate Teaching Professor. He is the author of A Guide to Italy: Cultural Insights and Tips to Maxi- mize Your Trip. In 2023, his paper Engineering Global C o m p e t e n c i e s t h r o u g h Study Abroad received the ASEE International Divi- sion's Best Paper Award. want to open more doors, pick up at least basic Italian courtesy words and expres- sions. Connect with locals Learning from the people who make their homes in your destination gives you an intimate cultural view beyond any research you do. Locals might reveal nuances o n h o w t h e t r a i n s y s t e m works or where to find a uni- que non-tourist dinner spot. Deeper conversations can broaden your perspective as you uncover how your life differs from those you meet. You can engage with locals by becoming a regular in a c o f f e e b a r , t a l k i n g t o shopkeepers, or even getting a haircut in town. If this all seems too daunting, hire a guide or take a short class on a topic that excites you. The- re's a cultural tendency for Italians to be highly sociable, so chances are you'll walk away from a transaction fee- ling like you've made a new f r i e n d . O p t i o n s a b o u n d : street food tours, history explorations, nature walks, and cooking workshops are only a sliver of what's possi- ble. Immerse yourself in T ourism flows to Italy have retur- ned to prepande- m i c l e v e l s , making genuine experiences elusive. But a professor's simple tips can add meaning to your trip. Along with spring comes wanderlust and vivid dreams of carefree summer escapes. For millions, Italy will be a top destination. So how do you separate from the pack for a more meaningful trip? While capping off five hard- fought years working toward a P h . D . , I f o u n d s o m e answers. I was searching for insights into how US college students learned and created meaning on a study abroad program in Como, Italy. The s e t t i n g , o n t h e s h o r e o f a breathtaking lake, lined with grandiose villas and manicu- red gardens, attracts A-lister residents, including its unof- ficial mayor, George Clooney. As my glazed-over eyes sifted through pages of interview transcripts, themes gradually bubbled to the surface. What I d i s c o v e r e d t r a n s l a t e s i n t o s t r a t e g i e s t h a t c a n transform your next vacation into something deeper. Do your research Understanding a place's history, culture, and lan- guage can minimize frustra- tions and bring meaning to u n s c r i p t e d m o m e n t s . I n Italy, there's a reason why so many isolated towns cling to nearly inaccessible cliffs and a r e e n c i r c l e d b y t h e r e m - nants of ancient stone walls. I n a l a n d w h e r e i n v a d e r s plundered what was a pat- chwork of fragmented states, these were defensive advan- tages. The geography of its settlements impacts dialects and regional diversity to this day. A sense of its history gives life to the context. It demystifies why you'll find seemingly German strudel, bursting with apples, raisins, and cinnamon in Italy's Alto Adige region. Before heading to a location, do some prep w o r k o n r e g i o n a l f o o d s , c u s t o m s , a n d i n f l u e n t i a l events from its past. If you PATRICK TUNNO Tips to enjoy a more meaningful trip to Italy according to a professor An elderly lady, in a street of Bari Vecchia, while she makes orecchiette: connecting with locals and learning how to appreciate traditions meaningfully can help you make the most of your trip to Italy (Photo: Michele Ursi/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE REVIEWS ADVICE TRADITIONS

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