L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano T he University of W a s h i n g t o n R o m e C e n t e r h a s b e e n a n i m p o r t a n t b a s e for study-abroad students for more than four decades. Its popular Rome in Residence program, which welcomed about 400 students in 2023, is housed in Palazzo Pio, a 15th-century building located on Piazza del Biscione. In 2019, the university began an extensive multi- year renovation of the his- t o r i c b u i l d i n g . U p d a t e s included structural, electri- cal, and mechanical, fire- safety prevention measures, and new lighting, flooring, a n d t e c h n o l o g y i m p r o v e - ments. The 14,000-square- foot space now holds class- rooms as well as a conference room, library, computer lab, five faculty apartments, and study space. A new exhibit gallery is available to show- case student or faculty pro- jects and an outdoor terrace provides a birds-eye view of t h e h u s t l e a n d b u s t l e o f Campo de' Fiori down below. Now that building renova- tions are complete, university officials have turned their attention to a new project: designing an education pro- gram they hope will attract older learners who have the time, money and inclination to spend a week — or even a m o n t h — i n R o m e . T h e l a u n c h o f t h e S c h o l a r s Abroad program is tenta- tively set for spring 2025. "The Scholars Abroad cur- riculum will be designed for people who want more than the usual guided-tour experi- e n c e , " s a i d A m i t y Neumeister, resident direc- t o r , U W R o m e C e n t e r . Offered classes will include art history, creative writing, Italian language, anthropolo- gy, and more, taught by a mix of Italian and American fac- ulty, and one Australian, all based in Rome. "We plan to use a weekly format; people can choose how many weeks they want t o s t a y , " s a i d V i r g i n i a Agostinelli, affiliate instruc- tor in the Rome in Residence p r o g r a m , w h o i s w o r k i n g closely with Neumeister to develop and launch Scholars Abroad. "Each week will have a different focus to avoid rep- etition. People can mix and m a t c h w h a t a p p e a l s t o them." Coming up with innova- tive ways to experience her native Italy is nothing new for Agostinelli, whose career has been a blend of academia a n d t o u r i s m . A n a t i v e o f Abruzzo, in 2011 Agostinelli became a tour guide and Ital- ian guidebook researcher for Rick Steves, the popular trav- el writer and tour company o p e r a t o r f r o m E d m o n d s , W a s h i n g t o n , w h o m t h e Washington Post recently called "America's favorite travel host." L e a d i n g t o u r s a n d researching guidebooks may seem an unusual career tra- jectory for an academic, but n o t f o r A g o s t i n e l l i . S h e arrived in Seattle in 2004, just a week after she graduat- ed from Italy's University of Chieti-Pescara, and went on to earn a Master of Arts in Italian studies, followed by a PhD in comparative litera- ture and cinema studies, both at the University of Washing- ton. She has since received a n M B A f r o m t h e S w i s s School of Management. W i t h d e g r e e s i n h a n d , Agostinelli was hired as a U W l e c t u r e r i n 2 0 1 5 a n d became co-director of the Italian Study Abroad Pro- gram in Rome in 2019. In 2 0 2 0 , s h e m o v e d t o t h e Rome Center full-time where s h e i s n o w a n a f f i l i a t e instructor, although she con- t i n u e s t o l e a d o c c a s i o n a l tours for Rick Steves groups. Agostinelli sees her tour guide experience as another w a y s h e c a n o f f e r n e w insights and cultural aware- ness to individuals, whether students or senior citizens. "Traveling through Italy with a Rick Steves tour group or being in a classroom in Rome are, after all, two ways of teaching," she said. "Walking along the Tiber or visiting an archaeological park in Sicily each offer precious moments that my students or fellow travelers will cherish for a lifetime. I am happy to facili- tate and stand by their side while they build memories." Agostinelli herself knows the value of getting out of one's comfort zone. She was born in the small medieval village of Pacentro where family members still live. With a population of around 1,200, Pacentro earned noto- riety in recent years for being t h e h o m e o f p o p s i n g e r Madonna's grandparents as well as the ancestral home of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In 1998, when she was 16 year old, Agostinelli traveled to Pennsylvania to meet one o f h e r u n c l e s , w h o h a d moved to the small town of Coraopolis, outside Pitts- b u r g h . I t ' s a c o m m u n i t y where others from her town had also settled. "His kids were teenagers like I was at the time," she recalled. "It was an amazing visit. I could feel the pride they had in showing our fam- ily what they built in Ameri- ca. They had sacrificed so much, and there was such joy i n o u r e x t e n d e d f a m i l i e s reuniting." The memory of t h a t v i s i t s t a y e d w i t h Agostinelli for years, and she was determined to make it back to America as soon as she could. When not designing cur- riculum, teaching classes or escorting tours around Italy, Agostinelli spends time on the water and on the tennis court. "During the pandemic, I started sailing and playing t e n n i s , " s h e s a i d . " B o t h sports require a lot of prac- tice, dedication, and hard work. I play tennis three or four times a week and sail most weekends. And I spend a lot of time studying meteo- rology and nautical charts." With its focus on older learners, the new Scholars Abroad program will help the university open its doors to more community involve- ment and educational oppor- tunities. "We want to invite more of the public to join us in learning," said Neumeis- ter. "We would like the Rome Center to be a place where the UW and the community come together, to share in c r e a t i n g a n d d e l i v e r i n g k n o w l e d g e , a n d a w a y t o expand all of our cultural boundaries." U W R o m e C e n t e r d e s i g n s n e w program aimed at older adults RITA CIPALLA SEATTLE ITALIAN COMMUNITY Amity Neumeister (left), resident director of the UW Rome Center, and affiliate instructor Virginia Agostinelli, meet over a cappuccino to discuss upcoming plans for the new Scholars Abroad program (Photo: Rita Cipalla) A welcoming terrace overlooking the vendor stalls at Campo de' Fiori is enjoyed by students and faculty alike (Photo: UW Rome Center)

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