The Pantheon Institute

Saint Valentine’s Day

2012-02-16T03:29:00.000-08:00

We have to go back to the Roman Empire to discover the origins of Saint Valentine’s Day. At the time, on February 15th, the Romans celebrated Lupercus and Fauno who were the gods protecting the harvest and the cattle, as well as wishing prosperity and fertility. On the evening before the feast all the girls of marriageable age used to put a card with their name inside a jar. Every young man would draw out a name which he would have to pair with in the sense of dancing and singing together her for the whole of the celebrations Many, inevitably, fell in love and married.
On 496 A.D. Pope Gelasio cancelled this pagan rite replacing it with a day commemorating St. Valentine. Valentine had been a bishop who accepted marrying young couples even if they didn’t get the permission from the Emperor.
Saint Valentine himself, bishop and martyr is the patron of the city of Terni, Umbria.
Many anecdotes linked with Saint Valentines explain well the reason way he has been chosen later by the Church as the patron protector of lovers. An episode says that one day Valentine saw two lovers arguing next of his garden, therefore distracted by their voices, Valentines went up to them and gave a rose asking to hold it together without sting. The two lovers made peace and were so happy that wanted Valentine itself to celebrate their marriage. After them, many other couples went to St. Valentines intercede for their love. So he determined to dedicate the 14th of every month to receive pairs in love.

In Italy and Rome some events took place on Saint Valentine’s day, among them: “For Valentine’s Day Fall In Love With Art”, thanks to this initiative couples can enter state monuments and museums paying just one ticket.
Since this year Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of Carnival, the Roman Carnival organized a Grand Ball in Piazza del Popolo.
In Italy the single people’s day is celebrated as well. Several years ago a group of Italian single tired of being in the shadows for St. Valentine's day celebrations, have proclaimed their own saint and feast day: February 15th, Saint Faustino’s day.

Even though Saint Valentine, the patron of lovers, was an Italian bishop, in Italy there is not much celebration of Valentine's Day as in the United States.
The Pantheon Institute decided to celebrate it, offering to our students a light snack with heart-shaped biscuits and some drinks, we hope that our students appreciated it!

Let it Snow in Rome

2012-02-07T00:49:00.000-08:00

When on Friday we looked out the window of the Pantheon Institute Office we were very surprised to see so many snowflakes falling: it was an unusual and amazing sight for us!!!

As you can guess, this weather was somehow unusual for Rome, that is usually blessed by a moderate climate. The Italian capital had not experienced the heavy snow falls for a long period of time, 1986 was reported to be the last heavy snowfall that has dropped in the city.
Our students had the opportunity to assist to a historic event on Friday—the first heavy snowfall in Rome in 24 years!!!

The snow caught Rome unprepared, as a matter of fact it caused some problems: some museums and historical sites, including Colosseum, were closed so as schools and public offices, cars without tire chains were ordered off the road, many houses were without electricity, thousands of people were trapped on trains throughout Italy.

Despite the many practical problems, the general delight of the citizens was palpable. People had snowball fights, snowboarded at the Circus Maximus, made snowmen in the piazzas and contemplated with renewed curiosity and appreciation the many ancient wonders of Rome under the snow.

Surely seeing a white and soft blanket covering the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and Navona Square is a worthwhile experience, so our students are very lucky to be here in Rome now!!!

Welcome to spring semester students!

2012-02-01T02:53:00.000-08:00

Spring semester has begun at the Pantheon Institute in a rather unusual day: January 6^th, the Epiphany, which is in Italy the day of “La Befana”, the Good Witch of Christmas who flies over the rooftops of Rome on her broom, and brings gifts to the good children: so the Befana brought us forty-three marvelous new students!

Since their arrival students have been attending orientation sessions, acclimating themselves to life in one of the most exciting cities in the world thanks to the great help of our Italian Professors Barbara and Maurizio, who showed the most important areas of Rome and gave them some useful tips on local life.

The Academic Orientation was on Friday, January 13^th , and Professor Sabatello introduced all our faculty and staff. There was the chance also to try a real Italian breakfast and the delicious Roman cornetti (croissants).

Besides the required academic courses, our students could choose among several interesting elective subjects, such as: Italian Culture, Art, Archeology and Digital Photography (more information on our website page: http://216.14.127.190/spring.php). They will also participate in several field trips, and have already gone to Villa Adriana and Ostia; soon they will visit beautiful Italian cities such as Florence, Venice and Pompeii.

The Pantheon Institute student services staff organized also the first extra-curricular activities, among them a bowling night: some of the students went with Elisa to the bowling alley and spent there a nice evening! Other interesting and enjoying activities will follow, among them cooking class, meetings with Italian students, nights at the theater and concerts.

With Rome as a background, no way to get bored: and the Pantheon Institute will make its best to make also this semester a great experience for all our students!!!

Keep in touch Pantheon Institute!!!

2011-12-20T00:43:00.000-08:00

November 3rd was the first day of my internship at the Pantheon Institute. I was pretty anxious that day, because it was the first time I tried this kind of experience and, as every time you under take a new activity you are riddle with doubts. I was especially worried about my English. I hadn’t practiced it for ages and I didn’t feel confident at all, but no excuse, this time I had to try it! Today, when the experience is about to end, I can say that my early concerns have turned now into the feeling that time has run too fast here. But let’s start from the beginning!

During my stay at the Pantheon Institute I had to carry out different tasks, such as checking the information on the student handbook, filing, writing brochures of tourist information. Leafing through the pages of travel guides and navigate through the tourist websites, I found out about amazing places in my country I knew very little about before doing this research. Now I am an expert in beaches, local food and public transportation of the places I made a study on, and I am ready to take up a career as a tourist guide. Joking apart, that was a very pleasant task to carry out. By the way, I apologize for any language mistake you could come across reading the brochures!

The language tandem with American students was a very nice experience too. Organizing the event and joining it was really fun. It gave me the opportunity to practice the language and, least but not last, to meet American guys!

Another thing I was asked to do, was that of making sure that the discounts to local partners offered by the Pantheon Institute to the students, were still valid. That meant having to walk for hours through the shops of Trastevere, as a tourist in my own city. What’s better? I have always loved my city, especially Trastevere.

Living it in the early morning, when the air smells of freshly baked bread, old men meet for their coffee and newspaper, and you wander through the alleyways and the ancient buildings, made me feel so good and inspired! Not to speak about the feeling I used to have at the beginning, every time I walked out the door of the school and found myself surrounded by music and foreign voices speaking out loud. I felt I was on holiday in my own town!

If I had to describe this experience in just one word, I would say “journey”. A journey through Italy while writing the tourist brochures; a journey through the ancient Rome; and a journey through my “English world”, realizing thanks to the several jobs I did here as an intern, what I know and what I still need to improve at a linguistic level. And in this short journey I have been together with very nice people who have warmly welcomed me since the very beginning of the training, making the job easier than I thought it to be. Defenitively a positive experience! Keep in touch Pantheon Institute!!!

Come ti chiami? What's your name?

2011-12-15T03:52:00.000-08:00

When you are studying a foreign language it is very important to practice it with native people, but it is not so easy to meet them, but not here at the Pantheon Institute! Some Italian students were invited to meet our students and practice together Italian and English.

It is not the first time that the Pantheon Institute has organized an event like this and after the successful experiences of last years, we decided to repeat this experience again.

The Italian students were from “Roma Tre” University, studying Foreign Languages, so the Italian and the American guys had the same objective: practice a foreign language and, why not, make new friends!

After a short introduction by Linda, the Student Service Coordinator, the American and the Italian students started immediately to chat and it didn’t matter if they made some mistakes, also because a language exchange does not include fixed rules, people can talk about whatever they want!

They spent a couple of hours together and they also had a light buffet. At the end they exchanged their contacts, so they could keep in touch and continue practicing Italian or English.

We hope to repeat these meetings between Italian and American students also in the next semesters because this is a great opportunity for our students, not only to practice the language they are studying, but also to learn more about Italian culture and customs from Italian young people.

Autumn

2011-12-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

The changing of seasons is one of the reasons I am thankful to be from the Midwest City of Chicago. Winter brings the holiday cheer, spring offers fresh hope, summer warms everyone, and then there is autumn-the season of change.

Since I have lived in Southern California for the past three years for school, I have missed the fall season so much. I took the crisp air, apple picking, colored trees, and falling leaves for granted. Being abroad in Rome, I had no idea what to expect of the weather during this season.

Well for starters, I have experienced the hottest climate of my life. From August through November I have been able to still wear shorts, sandals, or even a sundress. The other day it was pouring rain, and I was ecstatic to be using an umbrella while wearing a raincoat and boots. But, by the end of day, the sun was out, and baking all under its rays. The climate in Rome has been consistently warm for the past three months. But, I realized something marvelous about the weather.

Even though it may be hot here, the leaves may not change, or maybe I can’t find a pumpkin pie at the supermarket, one thing is for sure. Autumn is still in the air, for change is always consistent.

Change is scary, vulnerable, and sometimes life altering. The study abroad experience is a drastic change. One moves for at least a four-month period of time to live in a foreign country. There are many reasons a student chooses to study abroad. The motives can vary drastically. Some see it as a season of European travel, while others desire to stay in one city and long to capture every aspect of it. I chose Rome because I saw a rich cultural opportunity beneath it, one that would be rewarding for the rest of my life. Italy is where my mother’s family is from, and therefore I saw it also as a chance to learn the language and understand more of my cultural heritage. It’s a personal choice.

No matter where one studies, what one’s major is, or whom one comes with. The experience is personally rewarding, challenging, and constantly shifting. Thus far, I have encountered autumn within myself. Despite the weather, I have been living a season of change.

Living with people I have never met in my senior year of college is strange; but I have learned in a deeper way that friendships can be formed among a group who come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. Living in an ancient city filled with religious relics, rich history, and lasting architecture has taught me to appreciate how the world has changed through time. Living in a place where the Italian language surrounds me, has stretched me and shown me new aspects of communication. Lastly, living in a foreign culture where time is not of the essence has revealed a new way of living in the moment.

For me, studying in Rome has not been a season of discovering who I am. Rather, it has been one of learning to appreciate new perspectives, one of growth in my personal beliefs, and finally, one of choosing to embrace autumn.

Bailamos! by Olivia Dickow

2011-12-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

I have no rhythm. Even though I was born Italian, I have never felt this trait was inherited unto me. Well, my thoughts on dancing were about to change when the Pantheon Institute organized a thrilling event. They invited students to come to a Latin dance session. Due to my immediate insecurity, I obviously ignored the sign up sheet. However, my roommate had other plans and made sure my name was written.

A few minutes before heading to the school for this dance sensation, my roommates and I panicked as to what we were to wear. What was the proper attire for Latin dancing? Should we wear leggings, a casual dress, and black heels? Or should we wear sweat pants, white t-shirt, and gym shoes? In the frazzle of the moment, we chose the more fancy option.

When we arrived at the gym, we realized we should have chosen the later more casual apparel. For our Brazilian guy instructor named, Reyna, was in workout clothes and already sweating. His welcoming presence and no comprehension for the English language, got the six of us there so pumped for this incredible experience. We walked into the dance room, and realized from the beginning that Latin dance actually encompassed many diverse unexpected genres.

With dance music already playing, we started laughing when our instructor began to lead us into zumba dancing. Obviously, this has become one of the most popular aerobic dances in the States. But, apparently, it was just as popular in Italy. As I tried to mimic my instructor’s moves, while glancing in the mirrors at my friends, I could not take myself seriously. Honestly, I

did not even care.

After our Shakira number, we did the vampira dance. It included basic zumba moves, but with vampire poses throughout random pauses during the song. I just wished someone had gotten those faces on camera. After complete and utter success as actresses, Reyna set the new mood for our second portion to the class.

He passed out purple, blue, yellow, and orange boa scarves. He put on his sparkling white glittery fedora hat, and then turned out the lights. The burlesque atmosphere got us jumpy, excited, and all together hyper. He put on the Christina Aguilera hit from her latest movie, Burlesque, and we let loose under the spinning cosmic lights. This evening just got better by the minute.

Sweaty, barefoot, and utterly energized, I did not want the class to end. As we all shook off embarrassment, worries of the day, and those extra calories from the pizza overload, we just had such a grand time together. Dancing in Italy, laughing with new made friends from the program, and posing for pictures with Reyna, was an evening well spent. I no longer care that I don’t have rhythm. I just want to go back and experience it all over again.

Quieres bailar?

2011-11-14T03:20:00.000-08:00

On Friday 11th November our students and I had a Latin-American dance class with a Brazilian instructor.

We took the bus and went to a gym on the Aventine Hill. Since we arrived early we had a walk around the beautiful Aventine Hill, a very peaceful place compared to the rest of the city centre, and reached the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) which offers an amazing view over Trastevere and the dome of St. Peter’s.

Then we came back to the gym and met Reyna, the Brazilian instructor, who explained us how the class was structured: we were going to practice different kinds of dance: zumba, merengue, burlesque and group dance that are well-known in Italy. Then he told us that we had not to think about our movements, it didn’t matter if we made mistakes: we just had to enjoy ourselves!

We started with some warm-up exercises to loosen up our muscles and then we began to dance. We danced with many different songs, among them: the well-known “Waka-Waka” by Shakira; “Danza Kuduro”, the summer hit in Italy; “El Pam Pam”, a group dance; “The Vampire Dance”, a typical dance of Brazilian Carnival. We ended with a burlesque dance, Reyna gave us some colorful feather boas and told us to free ourselves and not to feel inhibited, so he turned off the light and we danced feeling less embarrassed.

We spent a very pleasant time and had a lot of fun, the instructor was very nice and we

hope to have another Latin-American dance class again very soon!!!

20 October 2011 - Rome like Venice?

2011-10-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

On October 20th, Rome was thrown into disarray due to the heavy rain since the early hours of the day, resulting in widespread flooding across the city.

At the height of rush hour many pedestrians found the capital's streets virtually impassable, with large amounts of people opting to take shelter in doorways. People walk past a paddle next to Rome's ancient Colosseum and near the most famous monuments.

Most of Pantheon Institute staff could not reach the center of the city and had to come back home; the school was strangely empty and classes were cancelled.

Trees were felled, subways were flooded and some roads crumbled. Private schools in Rome urged parents to keep their children home for the day, saying classrooms were flooded and roads near schools impassable.

Rome's agency for mobility reports that the many Metro A stations were closed due to flooding and some bus routes were diverted, in particular the northern periphery services.

Hours after the rain stopped, cars remained trapped in massive traffic jams on the outskirts of the city.

The mayor of Rome called for a state of emergency Thursday after a heavy storm caused flooding, traffic delays and the death of an elderly man."The intensity of the storm was unexpected," said Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, who also activated a toll-free emergency hotline for people to report emergencies and request information.

Looking at the impressive pictures taken during that uncommon day, we hope not to repeat that experience again!!

Discover Italy... and taste it!!

2011-10-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Nothing says Italy like its food, and nothing says Italian food like pasta!

Pasta's origins are very ancient. It's said that they go back to the Etruscans, they used to prepare the first lasagna made of spelt (a kind of cereal like wheat, but far more resistant against bad weather and diseases). Later on, the Romans used to make a very simple dough with water and flour from which they made a kind of lasagna.

In Italy one can find pasta in a great variety of shapes and with many different types of sauces, furthermore you should consider also that each shape of pasta is typically matched with a particular sauce based on constincency and its ability to hold sauce.

There are several kinds of pasta, it seems to be 350 different shapes, even more counting regional differences. Shapes range from simple tubes to bow ties (farfalle, which actually means "butterfly"), to unique shapes like tennis rackets (racchette). Moreover pasta can be found in dried (pasta secca) and fresh (pasta fresca) varieties.

For Italian people it is very important that pasta is al dente, means literally “to the tooth” that is cooked so as to be firm but not hard.
It is estimated that Italians eat over sixty pounds of pasta per person, per year easily beating Americans, who eat about twenty pounds per person.

Considering the importance that Italians give to pasta, we decided that the prize for the winner of the September photo competition “Ancient and Modern in Rome” should have been a basket with a great variety of pasta: truffle pasta, paccheri, black sepia pasta, lemon pasta and chitarrine all’uovo. Congratulations to Daniel who was the winner!!! Have a look at his beautiful picture and at all the other photos on our website photopage.

Survival Italian

2011-06-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

This semester we tried something new: four classes of survival Italian, a nice occasion to learn a bit of this rich and beautiful language and to practice it while going out all together. At the beginning we started with grammatics, and some of the basic vocabulary concerning how to get food, how to ask for information, while at the post office and while doing shopping. Besides, we spent some time on the outside, going to the supermarket, to the tabacconist, eating in Roman pizzerias and ice-cream shops. The guys practiced their Italian in different contexts and were very proud of their results!

All in all, it was a very nice experience and a beautiful occasion not only to explore the Italian language, but also to get to know the Italian culture through direct experience.

Summer starts at the Pantheon Institute

2011-05-16T00:47:00.000-07:00

The first session of the Summer program at the Pantheon Institute has started only one week ago but all the students are already very busy with the different academic activities scheduled for them.
The students arrived on Monday, May 9th and they were welcomed at the Santa Maria in Cappella residence in Trastevere by the housing staff. The dorm offers a very unique space, especially in this season, as its garden is in bloom and full of beautiful roses and fruit trees.
On the following day, Tuesday May 10th, the students gathered at the studio of Via della Gatta for the orientation meetings. After Romolo Martemucci, the Pantheon Institute Director, presented the program and the staff to the students, each of them received a cell phone and then headed off to see the students services office in Via del Pantheon as well.
Classes started on Wednesday. Each group of students, the Architectural Engineering, the International Program in Nutrition and the Human Development and Family Studies ones, met their professors and had class in one of the facilities provided by the Pantheon Institute.
Wednesday was also the day we chose to organize the first of the extra-curricular activities we will be offering during the first Summer session. As a matter of fact, together with Professor Cheryl Cheek, we arranged a tour of the Testaccio market and a cooking class for the HDFS program students.
The tour of the market was very interesting. The students were divided into small groups and each of them had to buy some of the ingredients we then used to prepare our lunch.
This visit was also a great occasion to know and get to talk with some of the dealers who proved to be very kind and even let some of the students go inside their stand so that they could really immerse themselves in the true atmosphere of the market!
The cooking class took place at the Santa Maria in Cappella residence and all of the 18 students actively helped out to prepare the classical menu we propose for this activity: rigatoni alla carbonara, valerian salad with pears, Parmesan cheese and walnuts and tiramisu. Our lunch was delicious, as always, and the students really enjoyed this experience.
This was only the first of the activities that the Pantheon Institute staff will organize for its students throughout the Summer session I: among the others, we will arrange a movie night, a soccer match and some Survival Italian classes with Alessia, our intern from Roma Tre.
We really hope the students will participate with interest and enthusiasm in our extracurricular activities!

Spring 2011 Thorp Prize winners announced!

2011-04-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

The Spring 2011 Thorp Prize gave outstanding results. The Penn State Architecture and Landscape Architecture students were asked to design a temporary installation celebrating the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Italian Nation which occurred in 1861 thanks to the political and military action of such visionaries as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini and Camillo Benso Count of Cavour. The installation was to be placed in an area spanning from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum and the students were asked to carefully analyze the urban characteristics of the sites they chose and produce projects with a strong urban connotation and an evocative, symbolic impact, regardless of their ephemeral character. Student work involved research concerning both the history of Italian re-unification and examples of urban scale installations from past and present times. As already mentioned the quality of the seventeen entries was generally very high and this made the job of the jury particularly difficult. In fact, the jurors, Professors Luca Peralta, Romolo Martemucci and David Sabatello had to go through three distinct evaluation phases which brought to an initial eight-project shortlist from which the four finalists were chosen and subsequently the two winning entries were nominated unanimously. The winners were proclaimed during the traditional end-of-semester reception coinciding with the exhibit of student work at the Pantheon Institute.

The Spring 2011 Thorp Prize winners are:

TEAM 2: Zack Baier (Landscape Architecture); Colleen McDonough (Architecture); Lauren Polacheck (Architecture)

TEAM 13: Ben Mahan (Architecture); Kaylynn Primerano (Landscape Architecture)

Professor David Sabatello

Photo of the Month - April 2011

2011-04-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

Here is the winning picture of the last photo competition for the Spring 2011 semester:

The theme of the contest was "Goodbye Italy" and Molly Ravis sent us a nice picture taken during the visit that the students from the "Masters and Monuments" class made to the "3D Rewind Roma", an exhilarating 3 dimensional journey through the history of imperial Rome. Thanks to a series of amazing special effects and the use of automated scenographic equipment, our students had the chance to find themselves in the underground chambers of the Colosseum back in 310 AD.

Molly won a huge and yummy chocolate Easter egg! But the Pantheon Institute has decided to give a small present to all the students who participated in our photo contest to thank them for their great enthusiasm!

Olive Oil Tasting at the Pantheon Institute!

2011-04-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

The last extra-curricular activity that we organized for the Spring2011 students at the Pantheon Institute was an extra-virgin olive oil tasting.

We contacted a real expert in the field, Mr. Luca Mattioli, who came to the Pantheon office on Thursday afternoon to teach the students how to taste olive oil and how to distinguish a good product from a bad one.

Mr. Mattioli started his lesson with a little general information about olive oil: he said that “like wine, virgin olive oil has distinct flavors and signs of the territory of origin. Italy, having its head in central Europe, its feet in the Mediterranean and its belly somewhere in between, is blessed with a varied climate. Volcanic rock, marine salt, truffles and mushrooms, herbs and spices, fruit and vegetables, all join in with the help of father Sun to create the many different flavors of olive oils”.

This is why it is essential to discover how to taste the differences between olive oils and how to recognize their main qualities (i.e. sweetness, fruitiness, smoothness, softness…) and their main defects (i.e. rancidity, weakness, dryness…).

As for wines, also the tasting of extra-virgin olive oils entails the use of three of our sensory systems: vision, olfaction and taste.

Obviously, as Mr. Mattioli explained, the mouth tasting is the “classical and most complete method to value an olive oil and finally draw a conclusion after the visual and flavor tests”. The olive oil sommelier also gave our students some suggestions on how to match olive oils that are produced in different regions of Italy with the appropriate food.

We hope that our students enjoyed this experience and we will certainly organize this interesting activity again in the future!

Girls Soccer Match

2011-04-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

This week, and for the first time since I started working at the Pantheon Institute, I had the pleasure to organize a soccer match for girls only! As a matter of fact, some girls studying here asked me to help them arranging a game before the end of the semester. The match took place on Tuesday night at the “Olimpiclub” fields, in the Viale Marconi area. I met the girls (who came with a couple of boys who watched the game) in front of the bus stop that I had told them to get off at and we walked together to the fields.
Only few of the 11 students who took part in the game had played soccer before, which means that, for most of them, Tuesday’s game was the first ever! In spite of their inexperience, I have to say that the girls were not bad at all! Six people played in each team and the match was engaging and full of goals: the final score was 6-6! Everyone had fun (players and spectators) and I hope we will manage to organize another girls match also during future semesters!

Picture of the month - March 2011

2011-04-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the winning picture of March's photo competition:

Congratulations to Michelle Greene! She has won a yummy dinner for two people at "La Creperie" restaurant in Testaccio!

Roman Cartography at the Pantheon Institute

2011-04-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

As many past Penn State students know, while studying abroad in Rome all architecture and landscape architecture student are required to take Arch 499C. While the course material in itself is interesting, what really makes the course worthwhile is the professor who teaches it.

Allan Ceen has been teaching students about Roman Cartography for a long time. The course focuses on learning from various maps of Rome in order to understand the development of the city over its history. The city has drastically changed over time yet it still has managed to keep a unique identity unlike any other city I have been too this semester.

The other important part of the course requires all students to participate in ten walks through the city of Rome. Each and every Thursday was another exciting adventure through the city, as Allan Ceen would take us on yet another historical path through the city. The walks include Ancient Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and even pre-Roman paths. Allan Ceen used these walks to illustrate the importance of how the city has change, but also stress the importance of being able to read buildings and understand the city as whole.

Many of the buildings in Rome, especially churches and government buildings, have writing directly on them which tell you what the building is, and when the building was built. However, in some cases it isn’t always that easy. Dating a building can be done through analyzing the building architecturally. Looking at the overall style, looking at the windows, or specially looking at the ornament are other ways to understand more about a building. Allan Ceen taught us the significance of the Papal Coat of Arms and how the symbols within it and often applied to the architecture constructed under the reign of a particular Pope. These techniques have been extremely useful in gaining a deeper understanding the components that make up the city of Rome. As developing architects, it is very important to understand the context in which one is designing. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how one can use what already exists within the city before deciding to demolish or introduce something new. This course has definitely equipped us with the skills to truly analyze, understand and appreciate a city. Specifically, I think all of us have become eternally fond of Rome and greatly appreciate all of Allan Ceen’s effort to allow us to learn from the Eternal City.

Wine-Tasting at "Angolo Divino"!

2011-04-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

The world of wine is fascinating as much as it is complex. We decided to organize a wine tasting night for our students just to give them the chance to learn how to have this delicious drink in a more conscious way. This event was a great success insomuch as almost half of our students took part in it!

The wine tasting took place at the “Angolo Divino” wine shop, a small but very welcoming place in the heart of Rome, just few walks off Campo de’ Fiori. The shop’s owner, Massimo, was there to wait for us and, as we walked in, we found several tables set and ready for the event. Each person had the chance to taste three red wines produced in different Italian regions.

The tasting was structured in a very interesting way: Massimo explained to us that wine needs to be analyzed using three of our sensory systems: vision, olfaction and taste. Proceeding from this basis, our “guide” let us examine the three wines by observing, inhaling and sampling them. Therefore, we started analyzing the first wine through a visual exam. Massimo told us that this examination is helpful to discover more about the wine’s fundamental features in terms of clearness, color, brilliance and viscosity.

The second step of our tasting was the olfactory exam and this is obviously the most difficult phase of the whole process. Massimo is an expert, of course, and I would say that most of us were baffled when he managed to sniff aromas such as that of vanilla or red fruits while raising the second glass under his nose! At last, we ended the process testing the wine by mouth. Everyone immediately realized that the three wines were ordered in front of us according to their alcoholic strength: as a matter of fact, the first one was the lightest, while the last one was far stronger than the others. At the end of this very interesting lesson, Massimo finally revealed to us the names of the three wines we had tasted; they were, respectively, Morellino di Scansano, Barbera d’Asti and Negramaro.

While Max was illustrating the main features of the bottles he had opened, a waiter brought to each of us a dish full of yummy and colorful food to eat and taste with our wine; we had grilled veggies, cheese, a small omelet, some taralli, which are small crackers similar to pretzels and a breadstick with mortadella.

Our students really liked this experience and we will surely organize it again for those who will study at the Pantheon Institute in the next semesters.

Arturbain International Student Competition

2011-03-29T03:03:00.000-07:00

The theme of the 2011 edition of the Arturbain International Student Competition was “Putting forgotten urban voids to good use”.

Following a recent tradition, the Pantheon Institute Architectural Design Studio Course asked its students to participate in the competition as the initial large scale urban analysis and design exercise of the course program. The students were asked to investigate a series of urban voids extending from the areas surrounding the Colosseum to the architectural design project site in the Celio neighbourhood.

We are proud to announce that two of our project teams from the Spring 2011 semester were shortlisted by an international jury of experts in the group of the thirty finalists who will compete for the Arturbain Award. The winners will be announced in Paris this coming May.

We would like to congratulate the entire Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 student group for their excellent work at both the urban and architectural scales.

Our special congratulations go to GROUP 3 - Angela DeGeorge (U. Mass.), Michelle Greene(Penn State), George Konel (Penn State) and Benton Mahan (Penn State) for their proposal "Reinterpreting Boundaries: Merging Social and Historical Layers"; and to GROUP 7 - Matt Graham (Penn State), Kristen Massenburg (Penn State), Susan Mollasalehi (Woodbury) and Blaze Rzewnicki (Woodbury) for their proposal "Communal Thread".

Professor David Sabatello

Giochiamo a bowling!

2011-03-29T01:22:00.000-07:00

The Pantheon Institute organized a bowling night for the students on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Once the students were done with the Wednesday architectural studio session, they came to the Pantheon office to meet me and we headed together to Piazza San Silvestro to take the bus; we walked along streets full of tourists and Romans going around for shopping. We took bus n.80 and we reached our destination in just 10 minutes: as a matter of fact, we didn’t go to the Brunswick bowling as we did last year with the Spring 2010 students, but we decided to go to a place that is definitely smaller and not as fancy as the Brunswick but that’s absolutely easier to reach…and everyone liked it! This bowling is in Viale Regina Margherita, very close to the university “La Sapienza”.

Once we got there, we met Alessia, the student from Roma Tre who is working as an intern at the Pantheon Institute , and her friend Silvia. So we went inside and, after the students got the bowling shoes, they started playing. Despite being a little discouraged at first, the girls totally rocked the competition so much so that they scored more points than most of the boys! Between a game and another, Americans and Italians had a good chat…using both languages!

This activity was once again a very nice opportunity for our students to have a little conversation, relax for a couple of hours I good company and get to know new areas of Rome!

Le Sagre

2011-03-28T01:58:00.000-07:00

If you really want to see how the Italians in rural Italy live, your best bet is to head to the nearest sagra.

A sagra (from the Latin “sacrum”, meaning sacred) is a festival held in the open air: most of them are held in small towns, usually in the main piazza, and they usually celebrate a food that is typically harvested at the time of the festival.

Many Italian Sagre (plural of sagra) are in conjunction with a Saint's feast day or based on historic events and often include processions with people dressed in period costume, contests between neighborhoods of the town, flag throwers, food and fireworks, musical bands.

Festivals can be quite specific. They can celebrate local specialties, i.e. truffles or wild boar, or a specific dish or preparation. You generally sit at long comunal tables and the food is usually brought to you. The food at a Sagra costs much less than it does in a restaurant.

There are enough festivals throughout the year in Italy that it’s a food idea to check whether something is going on when you are here: with all the saint days and local food festivals, something is being celebrated somewhere in Italy on every day of the year.

Among the most famous in Rome and surroundings: Sagra dell’Uva at Marino (Festival of Grapes – October); Sagra della Porchetta at Ariccia (Festival of roasted flavoured pig); Sagra della Castagna at Soriano del Cimino (Festival of Chestnut).

Do you want to know more? Go to http://www.festivalsinitaly.com/main-events-in-italy.html! Or simply do not miss our weekly messages and notes we post in studios and offices: you will have all the necessary details on the current sagra and information on how to get there!

New Soles

2011-03-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

Unlike most places in America that are paved smooth with asphalt, all of Rome's streets are cobblestones. Not only does it take some time getting used to walking on the uneven surface, but it takes a toll on one's shoes! Before coming to Rome, I received a new pair of boots for Christmas. I wear them almost every day and as you can imagine, the heals of my boots have worn down to reveal the material underneath the rubber sole. Today, I decided that I would ask the Pantheon office assistant if there is a place nearby that I would be able to go to to resole my shoes. The woman said yes and circled on a map where one was located. She also wrote me down a phrase that I needed to say to the cobbler. I decided that I would then go to the cobbler to get an estimate of the price it was cost to repair my shoes. I walked into the small store down a side street and said to the man what I had been told to say: Devo resvolare la scarpa. The cobbler looks at me as if I need to continue saying something and I just stand there smiling. I'm then confused and I say, "Parlo italiano un po." That's when I realize he speaks no English. He's now talking to me in Italian. I'm confused and try showing him the heals of my boots. In Italian I ask how much: Quanto costa? He replies by saying, "Dieci euros." In my head I am saying, "Crap...I know how to count! How much is that? Oh right, that means ten." He continues to say "Domani" which means tomorrow. I'm sure he thought I was going to try to leave my boots with him today without having another pair of shoes to walk out of the store in! I replied with "si" and tried to think of how to say I will return tomorrow, yet all I could think was how to say it in Spanish. Frazzled, I said in English that I will be back tomorrow. I thanked him ("Grazie mille") and left the store. Tomorrow, I hope to drop off my shoes...in the meantime, I am going to be practicing my Italian.

Picture of the Month - February 2011

2011-03-07T01:22:00.000-08:00

Here is the winning picture of the February 2011 photo competition!

Congratulations to Theresa Garrety! If you want to see all of the pictures that were submitted by the Pantheon Institute students for the competition, check out our activities photopage: http://www.pantheon-institute.com/photopage.php.

Shall we dance?

2011-03-02T01:07:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to Fonclea, a beautiful music pub in the city centre. Born in 1977, this music house still mantains its soft atmosphere and nice staff, and organizes music events promoting young bands and reproposing ever-lasting successes and covers.

Mondays are dedicated to Greg, a comic actor and singer who, in collaboration with jazz singer Antonella Aprea, filled the night with the rhythm of swing. The orchestra played songs by Sinatra, Gershwin, and the best of ’30s, ’40s and ‘50s.

A wonderful occasion to chill out, sing along, and have fun with the comical sketches Greg played with Antonella! Definitely a great evening, and definitely yesterday night two great voices made the old swing live again.

2011-03-01T04:47:00.000-08:00

We were happy to receive the news of the recent Tulane School of Architecture student work exhibit from the 2010 Rome Program at the Pantheon Institute. The installation looks great and the work by the students even better. I cannot but confirm the feeling of accomplishment which characterized our common experience on both the academic and human levels, and am looking forward to confirming such high standards in the forthcoming future.

Prof. Arch. David Sabatello

You can take a look at some of the pictures taken by the TSA students during their stay in Rome on our activities photopage: http://216.14.127.190/photopage.php.

Tulane School of Architecture Rome Fall 2010

2011-02-25T03:57:00.000-08:00

Here is a very nice video that some students from the Tulane School of Architecture prepared about their experience in Rome! They were students at the Pantheon Institute during the Fall2010 semester.

My Holiday in Rome

2011-02-21T00:39:00.000-08:00

My holiday in Roma has been blissful and a dream come true. Daily life includes a cafe of some sort (of course), trips to the market, guided walks of the city, class by the Pantheon, and cooking an Italian meal to the best of my ability.

Speaking of..last week, a staff member came to our apartment to teach us how to cook a true Italian meal! The Menu: Parmesan Pear Salad, Rigatoni alla Carbonara, and Tiramisu that was to die for! When I go home to the States they will be blown away by my new talent.

This past weekend Chad and I took a weekend trip to the Amalfi Coat and Capri. BREATHTAKING. I can't imagine how stunning it must be in the spring when everything is in bloom! Chad and I may have gotten off path a few times, but what a better way to see the coast then to hike it? Sunday we took a ferry from Sorrento to Capri. The water was brilliantly blue and surrounded the entire island. Chad and I enjoyed a cafe and gelato on top of the city centro. It was truly paradise on earth.

I try to pinch myself daily to be reminded of where I am. Every day holds a new adventure in Roma and I plan on embracing every moment of it!

My First Impressions of Rome - Part II

2011-02-18T02:00:00.000-08:00

Despite the appearance, the Carabinieri, or military police, are not guarding our architecture studio (behind the rolling metal door) - President Silvio Berlusconi's condo is next door.The tiny and ubiquitous Fiat 500 - these cars are seen everywhere you go in Rome, and manage to make the Mini look spacious. Fiats are perfect cars for Romans - they're cheap, can be parked anywhere, and easily navigate narrow, ancient streets.The rotunda of the Pantheon, the world's larges non-reinforced concrete dome, unmatched since 126 AD. The oculus (circular opening) alone is over 25 feet in diameter.Shopping for produce at Campo de' Fiori (the field of flowers), one of the largest public markets in Rome. Chain supermarkets are competing with the traditional markets, but it seems that most Romans still prefer farm-fresh fruit and vegetables from their familiar greengrocer.I felt obligated to post the stereotypical Rome tourist photo of the Colosseum, but it didn't seem so colossal when compared to Beaver Stadium...

Until later, Ciao!

My First Impressions of Rome - Part I

2011-02-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Rome a little over 5 weeks ago, and have been working through some technical roadblocks with the internet connection. I'm living in an 11th Century former monastery inTrastevere, across the Tiber from center-city Rome (hence the bad wifi). Trastevere is a middle-class neighborhood, with a good mix of permanent residents and international exchange students living here. It is much quieter and less "touristy" than many other parts of Rome, as it pretty far from most of the well-known sites in Rome. Trastevere is full of narrow cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old apartment buildings and too many old churches, family grocers, and fantastic restaurants to count. Anything you could need while living here for a semester is within walking distance. I'm feeling very much at home already!

Kendall's ramblings...

2011-02-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

I'm coming up on week 4 here, and this city still affects me on a daily basis. I could honestly see myself living here. I feel something here that I fear leaving behind. I want to hold it close to me forever, it's indescribable, but all consuming. It will own a piece of me forever, that is all I know. The magic is still everywhere, waiting around every corner to slam into me and leave me aghast. The people who smile as you sip coffee, tipping their hats and crinkling their cheeks is so rare in America. These people have such a warmth inside them, and they are so willing to share it with you if you just keep an open mind. There are the obvious negatives too, with the aggressive Italian men blowing kisses, saying comments, and sometimes trying to grab, but all of that is taken in easy stride. Not too much different in America. :)

I took a trip to the Vatican for the first time this past week. It was probably one of the most moving experiences of my life. We got a special trip down to the Necropolis. We had a wonderful tour guide show us the tombs of the old pagan families in this area. These tombs were originally above ground, but when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, he sent out a notice that he would be building his Basilica over the tombs, so they could come collect their dead. The tombs were then covered in dirt, forever buried under the church we now call The Vatican. Walking underground was incredible, seeing these ancient tombs that were decorated with such detail, to respect those that had passed is not something to take lightly. It forces you to realize how seriously they cared about their families, and how devoted they were to assuring them a peaceful end. Walking along the excavated passageways, with dirt and cement at our feet, and quiet in the air, you can't help but swallow the magnitude of what you are seeing before you. As we walked west, we got closer and closer to the tomb of St. Peter. I have never been a very religious person, but I absolutely respect all religions for their belief and devotion. Walking into a a beautiful little temple underground, our tour guide told us more about St. Peter. How he was crucified upside down because he felt it was unjust to be crucified in the same way of his savior. The tiny temple we were sitting in was right up against his tomb, with the room shaped like an inverted cross. It wasn't until our wonderful tour guide told us that we were going to see his bones, that everything seemed to fall apart in my chest. I had no idea what we were actually going to be seeing that day, and as we were read a quote that Jesus had said, followed by a moment of silence, I fell apart, hard. Standing next to the remnants of what was believed to be one of the foundations of Christianity allowed me to be grateful for my humanity, and in the belief of people. We were reminded that no matter what custom, religion, language, or landscape we come from, we will always be connected through who we are people. I'll never forget the feeling I had in that moment, the overwhelming, desperate, shocking emotion that ran through me was once again unique to this place, and I am nothing but grateful to be soaking it in.

This past weekend, we were supposed to go to Perugia, just to take a night to spread our wings a little. Plans fell through when the tickets were a little too expensive. Instead we went to the Borghese gardens and went out to a nice dinner. The gardens were a little disappointing in my opinion, after seeing what I saw at Villa D'Este, it's hard to compare anything with it. The dinner was wonderful, I had a fettuccini dish with mushrooms, peppers, and spices. Three of us sat for hours outside next to a heat lamp within a little outcove, just talking and sharing stories. It was the kind of experience I always dreamed of when coming to Italy, almost cliche' in its nature.

Next weekend a few of us are going to Naples, and maybe Capri. I'll have to update after that trip. I hope all is well with everyone in their lives, and I especially hope you enjoy my ramblings.

Relaxing time…

2011-02-16T05:59:00.000-08:00

For American guys, life in Rome is not only studying at the Institute and visiting beautiful monuments: it’s also taking some time for themselves and just… relax.

Today we tried a yoga class. We set the room and layed on the floor with our towels. The yoga teacher put some soft music and whispered instructions about how to relax our body and mind. We moved slowly and gently, flexing and streching our body and keeping concentrated on our mind. We learnt how to breath correctly, as a good breathing can affect positively our body and mind health.

As the class finished, we all could experience the benefits of this discipline. We felt relaxed and fit at the same time and, in some way, our mind was closer to our body. It was amazing! A very nice experience!

Lezioni di cucina...Cooking classes!

2011-02-10T03:04:00.001-08:00

The last one of the five cooking classes that we organized for the Spring2011 students was held last night at the dorms of Santa Maria in Cappella.

The Pantheon Institute kids proved to be so interested in this activity that about 80% of them took part into one of the cooking classes that we scheduled between the last week of January and the second week of February! This is amazing!

The menu we cooked was always the same…more or less! As a matter of fact, I decided to let the students prepare pasta all’amatriciana last night instead of carbonara…and I have to say that the outcome was pretty good, as usual! But we did not miss our tasty Valerian salad with Parmesan cheese, walnuts and pears and, of course, the tiramisu, the favorite desert of a large amount of students!

All of the recipes that we proposed are obviously very easy to prepare but, at the same time, extremely tasty and I am sure that many students will try again to cook carbonara or tiramisu during their semester in Rome or maybe also when they go back to the US…

Check out our activities photo page to see all of the pictures that we took last night: http://www.pantheon-institute.com/photopage.php

Photo of the Month

2011-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the winning picture of January's photo competition!

Congratulations to Samantha Josaphat!

Check out or Activities Photopage to see all of the other pictures that the Pantheon Institute students sent us!

Buon Appetito!

2011-01-31T00:30:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday we had our first cooking lesson with the architecture students. We joined for dinner time and prepared a typical Italian meal: as main course we had pasta alla carbonara, accompained by a rich salad with Parmigiano, pears and nuts, and the final Tiramisu’ as dessert. Useless to say that everything was dilicious!

We had a great time together: we cooked, made new friends... and tried to learn some Italian! In one word: a success! Was it because the good quality of food? Or because alternative lessons are always funny? Or because there’s a little cook inside of us?

Here in Italy, if an Italian invites you to have lunch together, inevitably he will consider you a friend. Eating together is like an initiation, something that makes us consider you as “part of a family”. And I feel that it was just the start of something good!

Quando a Roma... (When in Rome)

2011-01-26T04:26:00.000-08:00

So much has happened since i've gotten here. That's because the days have been so busy! I'm taking Noah Godlman's advice about Rome and saving that whole sleeping routine for when we go back to the states.

The typical day includes waking up around 8 and having a bowl of cereal with way too much espresso. I spend between 4 and 8 hours in class and then return to Santa Maria in Capella to an excellent meal made by either Theresa or George Gard. We've indulged in risotto con funghi, Pork ribs wrapped in cured proscuitto,home made pizza, gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, and the fanciest tacos ever.

The evening entertainment has included a visit to the Leoknardo Da Vinci Invention Exhibit, discotecs, watching the Roma vs. Lazio futbol match in a bar, and 4th floor toga parties. A Friday night spent wandering Trastevere and watching street performers is still exciting. The gelato is excellent, the cafe amazing, the architecture mind boggeling. The fact that I live in a building associated with a 11C church is puzzeling.

So far, the experience of living in Rome is thrilling. I'm having more fun and learning more (more than just architecutre, but about people: how cultures shape attitudes and characters) than I ever have before. Too bad the real work hasn't yet began.. Fortunately, my teammates George, Elise, and Emily have us on track!

Campo de' Fiori: a slice of daily life!

2011-01-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

The best way to get to know a city is trying to interact with its inhabitants. And the street market is no doubt one of the best places to do so! This is why we decided to organize a tour at the market of Campo de’ Fiori, one of the most famous and ancient of Rome.

As a matter of fact, besides being one of the night spots that young people like the most thanks to its numerous square-side cafés, pubs and bars, Campo de’ Fiori is a slice of daily life, the most genuine portrait of a city that is slowly being swallowed by the fast rhythm and the chaos of our times and that here, instead, seems to go back to its past and traditions.

The Pantheon Institute students demonstrated quite a bit of interest for this initiative: walking with me and Alessia thought the market stands, they had the chance to practice their Italian while buying fresh fruits and vegetables and to interact with local people.

Street markets are full of funny people…here you get to talk to persons that you would hardly meet in other places, so this was really an interesting occasion for our students to immerse themselves into the local Roman culture. And they did so without embarrassment: some of them filled up several plastic bags with fresh fruits and veggies that later coked together with their mates in the Trastevere dorm.

After doing some food shopping, me and Alessia lead the students to the famous “Forno Campo de Fiori”, a true paradise for pizza and desserts lovers. This bakery shop is definitely one of the best of the city center…it was so crowded that we had a hard time to get in!

The students bought some pizza, bread and handmade desserts…and everything was absolutely delicious!

The next step to become familiar with Italian culture will be learning how to prepare some of the most famous recipes of its culinary tradition; this is exactly the reason why we have decide to dedicate the next two weeks to a series of cooking classes that I will be arranging with the students and that will take place either at the dorm in Trastevere or at the students apartments.

Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana

2011-01-21T02:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my school school went on a field trip to Villa d'este in Tivoli and Villa Adriana. We were not super excited about the field trip because we had to wake up at 7 am and we were out late the night before celebrating the end of our first week of classes. However, the trip was well worth the early wake up time. We started the day at Villa Adriana, which was a villa that Hadrian built to live and rule his empire from. It is on the outskirts of Rome, only a 30 minute drive away. It is an enormous site, filled with the ruins from Hadrian's decadent place of residence. There are many interesting things about this site, most is that only a small percentage of it is excavated yet. We saw a model of the Villa as it once stood, but only a fraction of that is visible today. Archiologists are constantly working to uncover more of this villa. The villa is amazing for architecture students in terms of construction, material, and program. I can't even describe the mass of structures that are still standing. And the villa also includes an array of underground tunnels and passageways that no one really knows what they were used for. There are also rooms that don't make any sense. We literally don't know how Hadrian lived. The most fascinating and most famous part of the villa was Hadrians island, or the Maritime theater. This was an island that Hadrian designed to be his personal getaway. He dug a moat around a small piece of land where he could go to be alone. Apparently there used to be a drawbridge that he could pull up so no one could get to him in his private island-room. It is really an amazing piece of architecture.

After Villa Adriana, we visited Villa d'este. This villa is not at all like the ruins of Hadrian's villa. Villa d'este reminded me of a mini Versallies. It is brimming with fountains and gardens built into a hillside. The villa is at the top of the hill and you must travel down several beautiful winding staircases in the garden to get to the bottom of the hill. The site is very famous for its water organ, which plays music at certain hours. I can't even describe the wonder of this place, it was truly a garden from a fairy tale. I wish I could just get lost in the garden for days and days!

Prime Impressioni Di Roma - First Impressions of Rome

2011-01-21T02:34:00.000-08:00

Ciao! Chad and I are finally here after much anticipation and I am already falling in love.

After we got off the plane and entered through border patrol without the staff even opening our passport, we found our luggage (PHEW!) and headed out the door! Too bad we didn't know where exactly we were heading..haha. Fortunately, a nice man could tell we were lost and offered us his shuttle that would drop us off right at the hostel. Perfecto! One thing is for sure, Italian's are bold drivers- I wouldn't last a minute!

Our hostel was just as a hostel should be. A bunch of rooms with a ton of uncomfortable beds and dirty showers! The view of the Vatican from our window certainly was a highlight. We dropped our bags off and immediately headed right out the door ignoring all jet lag- we were ready to experience Roma! And since then, it's all been a (mostly) enjoyable learning and cultural experience!
I found people move fast on the road but have a more relaxed state of mind. Few traffic lights and 4 hour break in the middle of the work day is certainly a reflection of this contrasting description.When you order "un cafe", you will not be receiving a cup of watered down caffeine like we're used to in the states nor will you be sitting down to enjoy it most times. Ordering a cafe will get you a deliciously potent cup of espresso that you will drink quickly standing at the bar.

There is history around us down every alley we walk down. It's an eye opening experience to be surrounded by buildings created nearly 2000 years ago when our own country has been around for only a little over 200 years.The streets are mostly filled with apparel stores and nice sit down restaurants. Convenience shops and fast food are few and far between (which is a nice change of pace).I have tried to speak what little Italian I know wherever I go out of respect. Fortunately, many people speak English and have been patient as I struggle to explain which loaf of bread I would like to take home or how many grams of meat is appropriate to order.My biggest complaint thus far? No "American" peanut butter (as warned) and no Mountain Dew!Otherwise, I am thrilled to call Rome my home for the next few months.

Benvenuta a Roma!

2011-01-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

Today I arrived safely in Rome after a long day of traveling. I started out my day yesterday, Thursday, January 6th, in the Providence airport and took a short flight to Philadelphia where I waited to board my flight to Rome.

As I sat waiting for my zone to be called to board, I realized that not knowing much Italian is going to be difficult. I turned to the man who was sitting next to me to ask him a question about needing to check in with the front desk at the gate. He looked at me puzzled and said "I don't speak much English." By the time I boarded the plane I realized it was no use trying to engage the man next to me in conversation. Not only did he not speak English, but he did not appear to be in a good mood. So, we sat in silence for 8 hours.

I tried so hard to sleep while on the plane yet was unable to sleep a wink. I didn't sleep much the night before in hope that would help me drift into a sound slumber. However, no matter how tried, I was the uncomfortable position of my body and neck proved to keep me awake. The flight attendants "woke" us up at 8am (2am EST) to give us a danish and coffee for breakfast.

Around 9am (3am EST) we landed in Rome. I was amazed at how beautiful and green the landscape is! It is also a beautiful 60 degrees Farenheit (a little warmer than I had anticipated). It took me a while to retreive my luggage from baggage claim and I then dashed off to terminal 3 where I was to meet a group of 21 students who were getting a shuttle to the Pantheon Institute. I went to the designated spot we were told to go to and no one was there. I knew they were to leave at 10:30am yet my watch only said 10am. Well, I decided that it was no use trying to track down a shuttle full of people I didn't know and decided to find my own way to get to the housing department, where I was to be heading. An older man who was calling taxis for people noticed me in my state of confusion and was kind enough to help. I went on a flat fee shuttle that took me straight to the housing department.

After I filled out all the necessary paperwork that was needed, I was handed the key to my apartment. The apartment is located in Trastevere in Santa Maria in Cappella in an old Roman neighborhood. The building I am living in was built in 1192 and has the largest private garden in Rome. I live with 14 other students in the fourth floor apartment and my roommate is another girl from Connecticut College. Tomorrow is the start of orientation, but right now all I am looking forward to is a good night's sleep!

Spring 2011 at the Pantheon Institute

2011-01-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

The Spring 2011 semester has started about ten days ago and the Pantheon Institute students are already very busy with the various academic activities that have been scheduled for this term.

The first week was useful for all of our students to get to know the Professors and the courses that they had decided to attend before arriving to Rome and to do all the changes that were necessary to fix their schedule in the best way possible.

A very interesting daytrip to Villa Adriana, about 40 minutes away from Rome, took place on Friday. The Pantheon Institute students, lead by Professor Romolo Martemucci and by Professor Paulette Singley, from Woodbury University, visited this enchanting and huge Roman villa and started to become acquainted with the beauties of Rome and its surroundings.

The Pantheon Institute students will be attending architecture and landscape architecture classes but also Italian language, art history and digital photography courses; at the same time, they will have the chance to deepen their knowledge of the Italian culture and language thanks to a series of extra-curricular activities that the Pantheon Institute student services staff will be organizing throughout the semester.

As an example, a nice movie night was scheduled during the semester’s first week: we decided to screen William Wyler’s “Roman Holiday”, the film that introduced Audrey Hepburn to audiences as a modern-day princess. Among pop-corns, chips and cokes, the students had a good time watching this 1953 movie that gave them the chance to see some of the most beautiful and famous monuments of Rome…while waiting to see all of them in person!

On the other hand, we have planned a tour in one of the most famous markets of Rome for this week: Campo de’ Fiori’s! Thanks to the help of Simona and Alessia, our intern from the Roma Tre University, the Pantheon Institute students will be able to practice their Italian buying fresh fruits and vegetables, learn about local seasonal recipes and buy pizza in one of the most famous bakery shops of the city center!

The next two weeks will be dedicated to cooking classes, instead: with the help of Simona, the students will have the chance to learn how to cook a traditional Italian meal right at their place!
The Spring 2011 semester will therefore be demanding from the academic point of view but, at the same time, it will also be full of opportunities to get to know Italy, its culture and its traditions.

Cornetto Nights

2011-01-03T01:29:00.001-08:00

The Italian version of the croissant, the cornetto in Rome, is faintly scented with orange or lemon essence and has more egg-based batter, which gives it a doughier consistency as opposed to the buttery flakiness of the French recipe.

A virtual Roman rite of passage is to leave the disco in the wee hours of the morning and have breakfast before heading home to sleep. We’re not talking the Danny’s All-American, but rather a cappuccino and the day’s first cornettos, fresh out of the oven and direct from the baker.

The address to a good cornettaro - Roman slang for the typical night-shift baker that sells croissants (usually an artisanal bakery/patisserie workshop) is worth gold. Rome is dotted with cornettari. A city ordinance scared millions of nighttime consumers in 2009 when voices started circulating that selling food in bakeries and workshops after hours was illegal.

«Il cornetto è salvo» —the croissant is saved. Rome's mayor Alemanno's thundering sentence ended the controversy lifted by news of a presumed municipal law involving historic Roman cornettari, which prohibited the sale of their tasty goods after 1:00 am. A group gathered 8000 signatures on Facebook for a picket line in Campidoglio, Rome's city hall; others feared a curfew blaming Alemanno's right wing affiliations to be returning Rome to its 20-year Fascist epoch, others simply feared the Eternal City would lose its status of cornetto capital that doesn't sleep. Whatever the political agenda, croissant bakers WILL continue to stay open and sell sweetness all night. And that's all that counts.

The Tulane School of Architecture Program at Pantheon Institute

2010-12-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

The Tulane School of Architecture Fall 2010 study abroad program at the Pantheon Institute in Rome has successfully come to its conclusion. In the Materials & Methods course, taught by Professor David Sabatello, the students were exposed to a multitude of architectural experiences ranging from Roman Antiquity to the most outstanding examples of Roman contemporary architecture such as the MAXXI Museum by Zaha Hadid, the Ara Pacis Museum by Richard Meier and the new Auditorium by Renzo Piano.

The students were encouraged to fully interiorize the stratified complexity of the Roman architectural scenario and responded with enthusiasm and academic participation, as testified by their excellent performance in their final assignment.

Moreover they were encouraged to export their new academic acquisitions into their design studio work, which they did with encouraging results, under the competent guidance of Prof. Marcella Del Signore and Prof. Tiffany Lin.

We can therefore take pride in saying that this first experience in direct academic cooperation between TSA and the Pantheon Institute has been an academic success.

Arrivederci Roma!

2010-12-13T02:07:00.001-08:00

Last Friday we had a farewell party to say goodbye to our American students. A beautiful room with the architects’ projects and pictures taken in Rome was arranged, and a great buffet was prepared. Students brought some CDs and danced and laughed all the night… it was great to see them having so much fun! After months of hard work and exams, finally American guys were having fun and some relaxing time.

It was new to me seeing them in such a different light, in a very different role from that of students. Perhaps it must have been the same for them, not to seeing me as their teacher anymore. Everybody talked to me and invited me to drink something with them. They asked me about my studies and my experience at the Pantheon Institute. They were very different from the shy and reserved guys I had been seeing during classes in the last months. I was feeling closer to them. I also spent some time watching the architect’s projects. They were amazing. A sort of personal view on Rome, partly imagined and partly seen through their experience. In that moment I felt I was really meeting my students, and realized how contradictory was to call a fete ‘farewell party’. A moment in which everybody should feel happy and light-hearted, hides the sadness of a goodbye. Goodbye to Rome, to the teachers who have being supporting them for four months, to their Italian lifestyle, to the friends they’ve been knowing at the Institute. And that’s why they were having so much fun, and dancing and singing out loud… so as not to feel sad, because it was their ‘last night’.

I will miss my students. Well, they’re not my students anymore, so… let’s say friends. Friends because we lived together a new experience, in which both sides have been trying to learn and improve themselves. In which everybody has simply grown. And I guess I have grown and learnt with them, not only about teaching but about life. I always say that studying languages opens your mind. But meeting beautiful people opens your heart.

Thanks guys.
Alessia

Presentation of the book "L’Albero dei Rosari" by Maurizio Valtieri

2010-12-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

The Pantheon Institute is proud to announce that Maurizio Valtieri, one of our Italian Professors, presented his second novel, L’Albero dei Rosari (The Chinaberry tree) at the “Più Libri Più Liberi” national booksellers fair on December 7th.

Maurizio’s book tells the story of the clash between two separate worlds: the world of David, a 17 year old gay guy who lives his homosexuality in a positive and natural way and the claustrophobic and misogynic world of a religious institute where the so-called “Reparative Therapy for Homosexuals” is practiced…

Maurizio presented his book together with a speaker and with a psychologist who was there to explore in detail the condemnation of some therapies for homosexuals.

Some passages taken from the books were read during the event and the author also answered several questions by the audience.

November's winning picture

2010-12-06T01:35:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Christopher Johnson for his winning photo of the Colosseum at night! Chris won a beautiful bag with the Vespa logo!

This was the last photo competition for this semester since all of the students are now busy with their final projects and exams. The Pantheon Institute will offer a small present to all of the kids who sent their pictures to us! Thank you guys!

The Cats of Rome

2010-12-03T05:11:00.000-08:00

Rome's cats are different...every tourist who visits the city senses it! Unlike the fluffy and sometimes aloof balls of fur you're likely to know, Rome's cats are mostly feral, prowling ancient monuments as if they owned them and answering to no one.

There are estimated to be 250,000 feral cats in Rome living in over 2000 colonies. Rome's city council has recently come out in favor of the cat's existence in Rome by citing their ancient heritage: "there is a deep-rooted affection for these cats who have an ancient bond with the city." The city council even went so far as to protect the cats, in 2001 naming cats living in the Coliseum, the Forum and Torre Argentina a part of the city's "bio-heritage."

And if you are wondering about the social interactions between cats and humans in Rome, you have to know that the fat tabbies lolling at the base of those Roman columns are fed in the lean times by the affectionate Gattare, or "Cat Women." Not everyone in Rome, of course, holds a fondness in their hearts for their neighborhood Gattara - or for the cats - but it hardly matters to the healthier ones, who augment their meals outside the finest of Rome's eateries. In Summer there are pigeons, mice and lizards to be had in the excavations and nearby fields as well. In antiquity, the cat was highly valued for just this activity - defending mankind against rodent borne diseases like the plague!

Here follows a list of the most important cat colonies of Rome:

- Largo di Torre Argentina;
- Colosseum;
- Roman Forum;
- Piramide.

Still time to have fun at the Pantheon Institute...

2010-11-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

Fall Break is almost over and the Pantheon Institute students are about to come back to Rome and complete their semester of study abroad.

The Pantheon Institute offices are silent and empty…and it feels quite strange for us since we usually work in close contact with the students! We are now getting ready to welcome the kids back and we have already planned a series of extra-curricular activities for them.

First of all, we have scheduled a fantastic wine tasting on Monday night in a very charming wine shop that is just few steps away from Campo de Fiori. The students will have the chance to learn how to taste wines and how to combine them with different kinds of food thanks to the help and the experience of the wine shop owner.

On Tuesday night, instead, the Pantheon Institute kids will once again play soccer against some students from the Roma Tre university... Who is going to win this time?

The last activity that the students services staff has organized is a beautiful bike tour on the Appia Antica on Friday, December 3rd.The students will have the possibility of relaxing and spend a day away from the traffic and the smog of the city before concentrating on their final exams…definitely an activity not to miss!

Of course, the semester will end with a farewell party, the right occasion to say…ARRIVEDERCI ROMA!

The Pantheon Institute meets Roma Tre!

2010-11-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

After the great success that the meeting between students from the Pantheon Institute and those from the University of Roma Tre had during the Spring 2010 semester, we decided to organize this activity also during the Fall semester.

As a matter of fact, the linguistic exchange represents the heart of a study-abroad experience: meeting the people who have always lived in the place that becomes your house for 4 months is no doubt a fundamental moment of knowledge and growth.

Students from Roma Tre came to the Pantheon Institute ready to put the linguistic knowledge that they have gained during their studies into practice. Barbara Antonucci, their Professor from the Department of Foreign Languages, came here as well.

After a first moment of embarrassment, the Italian kids and the American ones started to chat, also thanks to the help of our Professors, Barbara Parisi and Maurizio Valtieri.

The students spent about two hours together and, during this time, they had the chance to deepen their knowledge of a different language and culture and, above all, to meet new friends…and, why not, also enjoy some good sandwiches and soft drinks.

The linguistic exchange with students from Roma Tre is certainly one of the most interesting extra-curricular activities that the Pantheon Institute organizes and we hope to schedule many more events like this for future semesters.

Soccer...under the rain

2010-11-11T02:48:00.000-08:00

It is a well-known fact that November is quite an unpredictable month as far as the weather is concerned. Beautiful warm days alternate with rainy and cold ones.

A heavy thunderstorm came down on Rome on Monday night, the day we had chosen for the second soccer match of the semester between the Pantheon Institute students and the ones from the Roma Tre university.

Despite the rain had started falling during the late afternoon already, the students who had to play the game did not lose heart and, once their classes were over, they took the subway and reached the Battistini soccer field, in the north area of Rome. There, they met the students from the Roma Tre university and the university sport activities coordinator.

The American students and the Italian ones mixed up, formed two teams and gave life to a very exciting match characterized by a high number of goals. As a matter of fact, the game ended 11-8!

Sometimes, it looked like we were watching an ice-skating show rather than a soccer match: the quantity of water that came down during the game was just incredible but both the Italian and the American students enjoyed playing so much that we are already scheduling another game in the next few days!

Photo of the month winner!

2010-11-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Alexandra Bojarski-Stauffer for her winning photo of some delicious cannoli sold in a pastry shop of Assisi. Alexandra and one of her friends will enjoy a free meal at Bibli Restaurant in Trastevere!

The new photo competition theme is "Italy at Night" and the best picture will get a beautiful bag with the Vespa logo!

The Surfadelics in concert at Fonclea!

2010-10-28T06:22:00.001-07:00

The Surfadelics were born in 2004 when four young Romans, Marco, Enrico, Alessandro and Francesco, decided to form a surf music band. After a couple of years spent playing cover versions of famous songs, the Surfadelics decided to work on their own songs until they managed to come out with the brand new album SUGOI!! KAWAI!! ATARASHI!!

Some of the Pantheon Institute students had the chance to watch a live performance by the Surfadelics on Monday night at Fonclea, one of the most famous music clubs of Rome. This was an opportunity for them to listen to some real good live music but also to explore the nightlife of an area they don’t usually go to like Prati.

The Surfadelics played about 30 tracks, both covers of songs taken from famous movies such as Pulp Fiction and Dirty Dancing and songs from their new album and our students really enjoyed this amazing show!

Landscape Architecture Urban Field Trip

2010-10-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

The Penn State Landscape Architecture students have returned from their weeklong expedition to Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona. This trip gave us a chance to step out of the classroom to explore the urban settings of these cities, and to widen our urban design “mental filing cabinets.” The class was split into 3 groups, one for each city, to create an itinerary and become the tour guides for their city. Each day of the trip was filled with lots of walking and sightseeing. We explored many parks and streetscapes, as well as museums and famous monuments. Luckily there was good weather in each city, and the transportation strike in Paris didn’t hinder our travels. We had a great time, but are glad to be back in Rome!

Some of the places we visited in Berlin included:
· Norman Foster’s Dome and Reichstag Building
· Brandenburg Gate
· Unter den Linden
· Berliner Dom and Museum Island
· Holocaust Memorial
· Potsdamer Platz
· Leipzieger Platz
· Topography of Terror
· Holocaust/Jewish Museum and Garden

Places in Paris included:
· Parc de la Villette
· Parc des Buttes Chaumont
· Montmartre
· Moulin Rouge
· Champs Élysées
· Place de l'Étoile and Arc de Triomphe
· Parc Andre Citroen
· Eiffel Tower
· Louvre
· Versailles
· La Defense
· Promenade Plantée
· Place de Vosges
· Centre George Pompidou
· Jardin de Forum des Halles
· Notre Dame
· Jardin de Luxenbourg

Places in Barcelona included:
· Passieg de Gracia
· Rambla del Mar
· Casa Batlo
· Plaza de Catalunya
· Villa de Madrid
· Mercat Santa Caterina
· La Boqueria
· Columbus Monument
· Royal Palace/Magic Fountain
· Castel Montjuic
· Jardi Botanic
· Barcelonetta
· Port Vell
· Parc Dela Cintadella
· Hotel Arts Barcelona-Olympic Fish Sculpture (Frank O. Gehry)
· Diagonal Del Mar
· Southeast Coastal Park
· Esplanade
· Torre Agbar
· Parc del Clot
· Sagrada Familia, Gaudi

Check out our activities photopage to see more pictures from the Urban Field Trip!

Thrilling soccer match with Pantheon Institute students...

2010-10-20T03:21:00.000-07:00

Despite the cold weather and the chilling wind, the soccer match we organized on Monday with the Pantheon Institute students was a great success, as usual.

Finally free after a long day spent among architectural projects and Italian grammar, some students met me on Monday night at 8.30pm just outside the Battistini Metro stop. From there, we headed to the soccer fields that are just few meters away.

Only 9 people were ready to play because of a last-minute defection, but the public, formed by other architecture students, was ready to “enjoy the show”. The match started and, for about 10 minutes, we played a 4 vs. 5 game. In spite of this, my team immediately scored a couple of goals thanks to fast and clever movements. Obviously, after a while, we started suffering from playing against 5 people, so we started begging Christian, one of the students who were watching us, to join our team. After refusing at first, Christian slipped on a pair of goalie gloves and started playing with us proving to be an exceptional goalkeeper! Christian guarded our net from the numerous attacks of the opposing team as a real champion!

The game was very tight: among the several game clashes (unwilled, of course), I can’t not mention the terrific bang me and Noah gave to each other’s heads! This head butt literally knocked the both of us flat! Luckily, after few seconds, we got up and started playing again as if nothing had happened.

The final part of the game was very exciting, to say the least…after the opposing team equalized the score, they ended up winning the game!

Even though now I have a very hard time to move because of all the bangs and because I have run way too much for my liking - since I’m pretty old compared to the students - , I have to admit that I had a really good time playing soccer with them, as usual, anyway…

Dolcetto o scherzetto? Trick or treating?

2010-10-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

Halloween seems to be a holiday that was invented in America, but has far deeper roots. America discovered it by European immigrants and created a magical fairy-tale reality out of it. In the 19th century, immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought their customs with them from their homelands, and kept them alive up to now.

However, Halloween was originally born in Europe, where it was common in Europe to have a day in celebration to honor the dead: the Romans celebrated the "Feralia" in February at the end of Roman year.

"All Souls' Day" (on November 2nd), was invented by Pope Boniface IV to replace the pagan holiday with one of Catholic roots, all in respect for the deceased. Catholics attend a special Requiem mass, where they remember those who may be close to them that have died. Prayers for the dead are said and votive candles are lit to honor their memory. People may also visit their family's graves to beautify them with wreaths and small lanterns.

Contrary to what it seems, this is a festive time in Italy; more so in the southern regions. It is actually a celebration of life and the importance of family. Many businesses, banks, etc. etc. may be closed during this day, although November 1st is the official legal holiday in Italy (All Saint's Day "Ognissanti", honoring all the saints and martyrs that have died for the Catholic Church).

Trick or treatening, which is the customary celebration for children on Halloween, is not followed in Italy. However, recently more and more Halloween costume parties are being organized; though Halloween is yet to get as much prominence in Italy as it enjoys in United States, there is no denial that the festival has started getting more and more audience.

That's good news for Italian farmers who've increased production to supply pumpkins for Halloween. Italian pumpkins (zucche) are typically smaller and meatier to be used for food, often in ravioli type pastas or soups, but farmers are now growing bigger pumpkins to be used for jack-o-lanterns.

So, if you want to celebrate Halloween, don't give up! You will certainly find a party where to go, but if you are too busy with your academic stuff, do not miss at least the chance of trying some Italian food made with pumpkin! This is the right time!! Happy Halloween!!

New possibilities of meeting Italian students

2010-10-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

After last Spring semester’s great success, the Pantheon Institute has decided to give its students the chance to meet some Italian kids from the Roma Tre university again.

This initiative will not only allow them to practice Italian and to help local kids practicing English, but it will also be a unique occasion to meet Roman people and to explore the city with them!

The meeting will be held at the Via del Pantheon office on November 10th at 4.30pm. Our Italian Professors Barbara and Maurizio will be there to help breaking the ice, but we are sure that, even though everybody could be a little shy in the beginning, it will be the first step to new multicultural friendships!

The Pantheon Institute has established a partnership with the Roma Tre university also about sports activities: as a matter of fact, our students have now the opportunity to play soccer against young Italian undergraduates on a regular basis either on weekdays or on Saturdays. If we manage to form a team, we will also be able to participate into some tournaments against Italian university squads!

The Pantheon Institute students can take advantage of many different ways to spend their free time here in Rome either with us or by themselves! These activities are definitely the best ways to know this beautiful city and the people who live in it!

2010 Men's Volleyball World Championship in Rome!

2010-10-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

The FIVB World Championship is an indoor volleyball competition and the 2010 edition is being held in Italy.
The third-phase matches are being played in Rome at the Palalottomatica, a huge sports arena in the EUR neighborhood designed by architects Pier Luigi Nervi and Marcello Piacentini for the 1960 Summer Olympics.

Some of the students from the Pantheon Institute had the chance to watch one of the games of the completion: Brazil vs Germany.

But before the game started, our students put themselves to the test playing a volleyball match against some Italian kids!!! The US team started off very well scoring five points in a row! But then…the Italians started playing serious and beat our students who had lots of fun anyway.

On the championship match front, we have to remember that Brazil has been one of the strongest teams in volleyball history and that it is perhaps definitely one of the favored to reclaim the title this year: as a matter of fact, Brazil conquered their pass to the semi-finals, thanks to a great victory against Germany, wiped away 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-19).

It's been a one-way match, since Brazil proved once again to be a solid and concrete squad.

The Pantheon Institute students enjoyed the game while having some “American-style” popcorns...

This has been a very nice way to know a part of the city that the students usually don’t get to see much, to play a little sport and to practice some Italian too!!!

Check out our activities photopage to see more pictures!

Delicious Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Lesson

2010-09-29T00:32:00.000-07:00

The gnocchi and tiramisu cooking lesson was a tasty introduction to both traditional Italian cooking and independence in the kitchen. Students from the Piazza Navona and Trestevere residences worked together to prepare the meal under the expert guidance of Simona (the student service coordinator). Our conversation mixed with the fragrances of the simmering tomato sauce and freshly ground coffee. We finely diced the market fresh vegetables and then learned how to make the gnocchi dough from scratch.

After a few minor spills and miscracked eggs, we shaped the noodles by hand and assembled the multi-tiered tiramisu. The meal was a great success. We ended the night with stories and the heavenly taste of tiramisu.

Stellar Pantheon Institute EUR Boat trip

2010-09-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

The EUR Boat trip offered a breath of fresh air and deepened my appreciation of Rome and its history. It was the first overcast day in Rome, but our spirits were still high. As I walked by the Pantheon, its shadows and antiquity were emphasized by the darkness. Meeting Simona, the student service coordinator, our small group of students moved through a eclectic crowd and the high-end fashion district near the Spanish steps. We glimpsed the famous Fountain of the Old Boat before descending into the artificial lights of the subway system. It was my first time using the subway system and I was pleasantly surprised by its efficiency and clarity.

When we emerged from the underground the sun peaked through. The buildings were so modern that it was like being in a different time-period We made our way to the park after buying lunch from a local store with fresh fruit and pizza. After our picnic we went on a very calming and private boat ride.

For a sweet finale we went to Giolitti, renowned as the finest gellataria in Italy! It was heavenly- a tantalizing mosaic of mango, fragola (strawberry) and Lemon. This out of class experience was so positive that I can't wait to do another.

Coffe Culture

2010-09-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Probably the most intricate and thriving coffee cultures in the world would be that of Italy. Apart from having the best coffee beans available, baristas, and bar accessibility, they have all different ways to drink, order, and enjoy the espresso. As it might take some getting used to, living like a local Italian you will have coffee on the run. This is not to say that it is similar to the mocha carmel frappuccino with whipped cream Starbucks gives you in a paper cup to go. It is to say that it is a daily ritual, to stop into a bar by yourself or with a friend to drink a shot of espresso, cappuccino, or hot chocolate while standing up at the bar numerous times a day. So whenever you need a pick me up, stop into any BAR and you can enjoy a caffè made the Italian way:

Caffè – what we think of as “espresso”

Cappuccino – A shot of espresso with steamed milk in a small cup.

Caffè corretto – espresso with a dash of liquor

Caffè corto – A small concentrated shot of espresso

Caffè decaffeinato – decaffeinated shot of espresso

Caffè doppio – two shots of espresso “double”

Granita al caffè – blended caffè with ice and topped with whipped cream

Caffè macchiato – espresso with a dash of hot or cold milk

Caffè latte – hot milk with a tad of coffee added

Caffè lungo – espresso made with extra hot water, though small enough to serve in an espresso cup. (weak black coffee)

Caffè marocchino – a strong cappuccino with cocao on the bottom served in a glass

Caffè ristretto – A small concentrated shot of espresso (similar to that of “corto”)

Caffè solubile – instant coffee

Caffè Shakerato – espresso over ice with a dash of amaretto or liquor

You can also get your caffè…

Con la cremina – the barista mixes sugar into the first drops of caffè to make your cappuccino or caffè sweet and delicious

Caldo/Freddo – You can order your espresso hot or cold

Con panna – with whipped cream

Con cacao – with cocao

Macchiato/ schiumato – with a dash of milk or foam

In tazza bollente/fredda – In a hott cup/cold cup

In Vetro – In a glass cup

Al volo – On the fly

INDULDGE!!!

Buy Seasonally...

2010-09-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

When you walk into an Italian market, you will notice that it does not carry the variety of fruits and/or vegetables you might be used to seeing in the United States as well as restaurants not having artichokes or certain products on their menu all year round…this is a GOOD thing!!!

Although you might want to buy a watermelon in February, you cannot here in Rome; this is because Italians sell what is IN season. They have locally grown products and it is actually healthier for us to eat what is grown in the current season as opposed to buying products worldwide and having them shipped internationally just to fill the market baskets with tasteless objects. This will ensure you that every plate you order here in Italy will be fresh and use local seasonal products allowing the dishes to intensify every flavor in your mouth and not lose any of the nutritional value that most out of season products lose!

As an example, September is perfect for eating figs, apples, pears and grapes, zucchini, peppers and eggplants...

And, as Fall is getting closer, get ready to have some delicious oranges, mandarines and pumpkins!

When in Rome: Americans vs Italians

2010-09-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

When living in Rome you will discover the subtle differences in culture, the dos and don’ts, and the Roman’s way of living. As Americans, we are used to wearing, washing, eating, and sleeping differently than the Romans. Although it is easier said than done, one can slowly adapt to the Italian lifestyle through an open mind, acceptance, and a little humor.

Fashion Faux pas
Although Americans do have certain trends that are popular in the States, many of these items are undesirable in the Italians’ eyes. The Romans always say that “you can HEAR an American coming from a mile away” due to our unsophisticated fascination for flip flops. Although they are the standard shoe for an American summer, Italians favor a stylish sneaker, boot, or a classy flat.
Some more examples include short shorts! NEVER - they are strictly for the beach. As for the cinema, the typical comfy sweats will leave you feeling extremely underdressed next to the fashionable Italians with their designer heels on a Sunday afternoon. Church-wear is more elegant, the Roman God does not accept anything above the knee or bare shoulders. You just might have to sport the plastic poncho that is handed out in front of most churches if you are more of the shoulder bearing type (which is relatively standard for an American summer). As you stroll through the streets, supermarkets, and stores, you will notice that the Italians are more dressed up than you are used to in the States. No one is wearing sweats in the supermarkets or slippers to class; most Italians will be wearing pants even in the summer heat and they always look like they are heading to some fabulous party. Because of what we are used to and the cultural differences, it is hard NOT to stand out as an American; we can only observe and take note to try and adjust ourselves to our surroundings in order to strive for “full immersion”. There will always be some things we may never understand, like why the Italians have to change all of their clothes and shoes when they are going to and from the “palestra” (gym)… but they just do.

Breakfast
Another cultural difference that might take some observance and patience in getting used to is the Italian breakfast. If you are an eggs and toast in the morning kind of person, you might have some difficulty getting that extra dose of protein in your diet these next few months , but I can assure you, if you approach it with an open-mind, you will want to have breakfast in Rome for the rest of your life. A typical Italian breakfast consists of a ‘cornetto’ (croissant) and cappuccino; the ‘cornetto’ comes with different fillings such as cream, nutella, honey, or ‘semplice’ (plain). If you get to a BAR early in the morning, the ‘cornetti’ will usually be warm and you will be next to a variety of working Italians each getting a different kind.

The Italian coffee culture is fascinating and if you are a coffee lover, this is the country for you. Local Italians are likely to make a couple stops at different bars throughout the day; in the morning, they usually start with a cappuccino and cornetto. If they stop at numerous bars before work or school, they will also get a caffé (shot of espresso). After lunch however, it is strictly caffé time; if you order a cappuccino, you can expect an “are you sure?” expression on the barista’s face. If it is just unbearable to have a shot of espresso without any milk/cream, it is often popular to order a “caffè macchiato” (a shot of espresso with a little milk).

The Pizza and the Pasta
As you will experience in eating at different restaurants around Rome, Italians pride themselves on their incredible and simple dishes. In the United States, most places have the idea of “the more the merrier.” When Italians go out to eat a pizza for dinner, you will notice that most of them order the “Pizza Margherita,” the plainest pizza on the menu! If there is an American in the restaurant, I wouldn’t be surprised if he/she is stuffing down a “Capricciosa,” a pizza with everything but the kitchen sink on top. Through observance and experience, you will learn that there are many differences in Italian food in the United States and Italian food in Italy. For example, local Italians do not eat meatballs in their pasta, but it is its own dish, chicken parmesan does not exist in the local restaurants, and they do not serve olive oil with their bread. It is hard to change your diet from what you are used to or from your expectations of Italian food, but in order to enjoy the incredible local cuisine that the eternal city has to offer, choose out of your usual comfort zone or expectations and order what the Italian sitting next to you is ordering.

Nightlife
Italians and Americans have different definitions of “fun” which is prevalent after the sun goes down. If you sit in Campo de Fiori for an aperitivo with friends you can easily pick out the Americans in the crowd, they are usually loud, drunk, and in big groups. The Universities in the U.S. have a great environment for this type of typical behavior however , you must realize that you are no longer “on campus.” This is one of the most prevalent differences in the two cultures through Italians’ eyes.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” In the afternoon around 6 pm, young Italians meet their friends for an ‘aperitivo’ at a local bar where they get a drink and some free snacks before dinner. After dinner they usually meet up with their friends for a drink or two at a local bar. As for the weekends, the discotecas are open till the wee hours of the morning and usually followed by breakfast (cappuccino and cornetto). The Italian culture is big on socializing, so you will rarely see an Italian stumbling out of a club unable to speak a word because of his drunken stupor. These are usually foreigners and it is not perceived as “cute.”

Sono Arrivati! (They have Arrived!)

2010-09-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

After a long plane ride and numerous ‘Ciao’s and ‘Buongiorno’s the students of The Pantheon Institute Fall Semester 2010 have arrived!!! They were first greeted all together with a typical Italian breakfast of Caffè and Cornetti (croissants) and introduced to all of the teachers and directors of the University. Romolo gave a captivating speech on how Rome will change each and every student’s life if they allow themselves to humbly absorb the vast amounts of beauty that each crack in the eternal city has to offer.

The students gathered in different classrooms to get their cell phones and there were many laughs in discussing the cultural differences and language translations while waiting patiently for the exchange of their friends’ numbers. After a tour around the different University facilities, seminar rooms, and studios, the students felt a little more ready to approach Rome as their new home for the next four months.

On Saturday, the Penn State students started their workshop at Villa Adriana, Tivoli, which is located right outside of Rome. For the architecture and landscape architecture students, Villa Adriana, the most extensive ancient Roman Villa, offers a complete sample of architectural creations and is one of the most remarkable examples of imperial and dynastic palace. All of the other students from Kenyon College and Tulane participated in our orientation this past weekend, securing their permit to stay and visiting all of the facilities that we have around the city center.

Summer Session II Field Trips - Fuori Roma!

2010-09-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

Our Summer Session II students are about to take a trip away from Rome.
Considering how hot it’s been here, they are hoping to meet up with a bit more temperate weather, but it’s not likely as they first head South. The two-day trip will take them to Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city south of Naples with three amazingly preserved temples – a treat especially for architecture students but for art historians and artists of all inclinations as well. They might be able to sneak some time at the beach as the Hotel Calypso is located on the shore of the “Mare Tirreno”. Then our fortunate students will visit the unfortunate city of Pompeii where life had stopped abruptly on account of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD. There is a lot to contemplate as one walks through the excavated city where some houses are so well preserved – with walls painted magnificently and pottery unbroken - as if expecting the owners to come back.

After a night in Rome, our students will head North to the place where Renaissance was born – the city of Florence. The center – it’s urban form – has remained pretty much unchanged since Leonardo and Michelangelo walked its street, but there is just so much art work to pay attention to and absorb that the two day visit will not be enough. The students will most likely feel the need to come back again – and they should - but we are glad to facilitate at last this short introduction to the amazing artistic legacy of Florence.

The getaway trip from Rome will conclude in Venice. Again, the time will seem much too short in this enchanting city in the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Hopefully the students will find the time to take a boat excursion (there is no other transportation choice) throughout the Venetian Lagoon to get a sense of how this city was built and organized. For the photographer who likes to get to know a city by walking and getting lost - Venice is the ideal city! There is no doubt that even with a trusty map in their pocket – our students will get lost. And they should.

The Pantheon Institute “Vacanze Romane

2010-07-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Roman Summer (Estate Romana)is here in full force (temperatures steadily get above 30°= 86F) and with it the start of our Summer session II at the Pantheon Institute. Fifteen students have arrived from Penn State to capture the beauty and essence of Rome - figuratively and literally speaking- for the next six weeks as they pursue a course on Italian Architecture and complement it by taking a Digital Photography class offered by the Integrative Arts Department of Penn State. The assignments given by their instructor, Katie Parizek, will send them exploring the many amazing sites of this eternal city. But besides the historical and monumental Rome, the students will be asked to pay close attention to the everyday life of the city and make a visual diary of their stay. Their eyes and their cameras will search out and record the joys and adventures of their quotidian existence in this ancient AND modern city, making observations that perhaps newcomers are best suited for. (Await a photo gallery and contests!)

The classes having started, the students are already busy working on their assignments. But it is not “all work and no play”. That’s not the Roman way! There’s been already a trip to the beach, a birthday celebration at a local “discoteca” and a movie night at the Pantheon Center showing “La Vita è Bella!”

It’s wonderful to spend the summer here in the city as the “Estate Romana” offers a rich program of music, dance and theater. The choices are plentiful and the settings for most performances are in lovely outdoor venues. We suspect and hope that most students will take full advantage of the offerings

Cooking with...engineers!

2010-06-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

Even though the menu is always the same - pasta alla carbonara, Valerian salad with Parmesan cheese, pears and walnuts and tiramisu - our students never seem to have enough of our cooking classes!

The last cooking class we organized took place on June 1st at Navona and 10 students from the Architectural Engineering program took part in it.

These kids are very busy during the day: they have a very tight schedule and we thought that a relaxing cooking class with Simona could be a good way to give them a little break from their demanding classes… and we were right!

As usual, the first thing we prepared was the tiramisu: we broke the eggs and divided the yolks from the whites, we added the sugar and the mascarpone cheese, we whipped the egg whites (or at least we tried to!) and mixed all the ingredients together. In the meantime, we prepared some delicious caffè espresso and we finally assembled the cake.

We went on preparing the salad: we cut the pears and the Parmesan cheese into little pieces, we added the walnuts and then we dressed the salad with salt, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

After almost an hour of work, we all were very hungry and we could not wait for our dinner to be ready! That’s why everybody had a little piece of cheese while cooking…

The last thing we prepared was our great pasta alla carbonara: while bringing some salted water to a boil, we beat some eggs and added some black pepper and some grated Pecorino cheese to them and we cooked some bacon. Once the pasta was ready, we mixed all the ingredients together just being careful not to cook them too much to avoid getting scrambled eggs, instead of pasta alla carbonara! The result was just great!

Everything was delicious and the nice conversation we had while having dinner made our evening even more pleasant!

Italian Republic Day

2010-06-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

June 2nd is the Republic Day in Italy: the country commemorates the day in 1946 when Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. It is a national holiday and shops and offices are closed.

Yesterady morning at 9.30, the president of the republic Giorgio Napolitano presided over the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier on the Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia. This was followed by a military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali and an aerial display by the Italian air force’s “Frecce Tricolori” squadron, which leaves a trail of green, white and red smoke in the colors of the Italian flag.

In the afternoon, the gardens of the Quirinale palace, the official residence of the president of the Republic, were open to the public starting from 3pm and there were performances by military bands.

Lots of our students and some professors went to see the parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali: this was an exceptional occasion for them to know a little more about Italian history and culture!

The Pantheon Institute has new spaces!

2010-05-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

The Pantheon Institute has always been proud of his unique location in Rome, being in the very heart of Rome and giving everybody the possibility of exploring the ancientest area of this marvellous city.

In particolar, our Center at via del Pantheon has always been a place where studente could stop for asking information, finding useful forms about Rome and Italy, or simply taking a break from their demanding classes….

Now the Student Office has a new space they can enjoy: our reading room, a comfortable and quiet place where they will find newspapers, magazines, brochures about Rome and Italy. A little hub to run away from the hustle and bustle of the hords of tourists who are litterally invading the Eternal City…

And this is not the only news we have: our Housing Office has just moved to vicolo S.Maria in Cappella in Trastevere, leaving the former seat at Piazza Navona. Look at the pictures we have taken and see that we will not miss the other space! It is really impossibile not to feel the charme of the gourgeous garden, with the smell of fruits and flowers, and the sunlight which makes all the colours so brightful…

The Housing Office has also a little studio in the same floor, although we guess it might be difficult to be concentrated in such a special space… Learning, but also feeling the magic of Rome – that’s the Pantheon Institute!

For more pictures, see also our photo album and website!

Our special cooking class

2010-05-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

Cooking classes are definitely the extra-curricular activities that attract our students the most: they get to cook an entire meal and eat what they prepare for just as low as 5 euros! And everybody wants to participate…cooking classes are so much fun!

We organized a very special cooking class for the Penn state HDFS program students on Thursday, May 20th: we met at the Trastevere dorms in the morning and we went to the famous market of Testaccio for food shopping. This was a really unique experience for our students to immerse themselves in the genuine life of one of the most enchanting and old neighborhoods of the city. The HDFS girls had the chance to see what these people’s daily life is like and I think they really enjoyed spending the morning at the market.

Just after that, we decided to go to one of the best bakeries of the area: the students were literally amazed by the quantity and the variety of bread, pizza and desserts that were sold there…the closer we got to the bakery, the more we were attracted by the delicious smell of these home-made products!

So, we had a little snack before going back to the dorms of Santa Maria in Cappella and, as soon as we got there, we immediately started to work. I decided to divide the girls into 2 groups as a lot of people were participating , and the first thing we decided to prepare was the tiramisu. Everybody was doing something: some students were beating the eggs, some prepared espresso and some others whipped the egg whites.

And I have to admit that most of the girls seemed to be quite comfortable with cooking! We all had a great time preparing our menu: pasta alla carbonara - with eggs and bacon or with zucchini for vegetarian people - a very good salad with Parmesan cheese, pears and balsamic vinegar and finally, our famous tiramisu.

Everything was delicious and we all had a really good time together!

A trip to EUR

2010-05-26T01:42:00.000-07:00

EUR (the Esposizione Universale Roma) is a large suburban area and business centre in the south of Rome. It was started in 1935 by Benito Mussolini and planned to open in 1942 to celebrate twenty years of Fascism. In urban planning terms, EUR was designed to direct the expansion of the city towards the south-west, connecting it to the sea. The planned exhibition never took place due to World War II.

Besides other attractions such as the Museum of Roman Civilization and the sports arena PalaEUR (now Palalottomatica) , designed by architects Pier Luigi Nervi and Marcello Piacentini for the 1960 Summer Olympics, we can’t forget to mention the big artificial lake that is found right in the center of this area.

And that’s just the place were we brought our students for a nice and relaxing ride on a little boat on Monday. After days and days of rain and cold wheater, the sun finally came out and it gave us the chance to see an area of Rome that visitors to Rome don’t usually go to...But our students really enjoyed this modern but, at the same time, extremely green neighborhood.

After the ride on the boat we all went to the Giolitti ice-cream shop for a delicious gelato! Giolitti is definitely one of the best places to get an ice-cream here in Rome...that’s probably the reason why our students were so fast in eating their cones!!!

May 2010 Photo Competition

2010-05-24T07:01:00.001-07:00

Just like we did in the last few months, we have invited again the Pantheon Institute students to send us the best pictures they are taking during their stay in the Eternal City. The theme of May’s photo competition is: Impressions on Rome.

And this month’s contest prize is a huge and delicious 5 kg Nutella jar! This fabulous and absolutely sweet prize will be joined by a useful selection of the best Nutella recipes…just in case the winner doesn’t want to eat all of the Nutella with plain bread only!

Among the others, we have included recipes such as French Nutella toast, banana and Nutella brownies and baked Nutella cheesecake.

Our students still have a week to submit their pictures and who knows who the winner is going to be, this time!

Good luck to all of you.

Bravi ragazzi!

2010-04-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

A second team formed by some of our students challenged five Italian guys in a soccer match last Saturday. Before the game started, the Pantheon Institute kids confessed to me they had never played this sport before! Well…I have to say that nobody noticed that on the field! The Pantheon Institute students demonstrated to be a very close-knit team. The determination of these guys made the Italian team task very hard to accomplish: as a matter of fact, the American guys scored the first goal after just five minutes!

The Italian team’s predominance started standing out after twenty minutes from the beginning of the match and so, in spite of the great commitment of the team that represents our Institute, the guys that were “playing at home” took the upper hand and were successful on the Pantheon Institute.

After such an intense and enthralling game, the match ended up with handshakes and the promise of a return match that will no doubt see the Pantheon Institute team give a hard time to the Italians again…

Bravi ragazzi!

Forza Roma!

2010-04-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

Our students have lived in Rome for more than three months now and they managed to integrate themselves into the city’s social life very well. The last and most evident proof of this dates back to last Sunday: as a matter of fact, a conspicuous number of Pantheon Institute students went to the Olimpic stadium to watch the Roma-Atalanta soccer match on that day.

Those who know Italy a little bit, are aware of the fact that one of its most local "sights" is a soccer match. Winston Churchill said that Italians lose wars like soccer matches and soccer matches like wars; soccer, or calcio, is the national obsession. Everyone, regardless of age or social class, is an expert, quick with an opinion on a coach's lousy decision or a referee's unprofessional conduct.

Rome has two teams: Roma (representing the city) and Lazio (the region), and the rivalry is fanatic. When Romans are introduced, they ask each other, "Laziale o romanista?" The answer can compromise a relationship! Both Roma (jersey: yellow and red; symbol: she-wolf) and Lazio (jersey: light blue and white; symbol: imperial eagle) claim to be truly Roman.

Last Sunday, our students joined thousands of other Roma fans to watch the game that let the city’s team surpass Inter FC and become the leader of the Italian soccer championship.

Thanks to Roma’s victory, that Sunday turned into a real celebration which went on along the city streets and squares even after the game was over.

Happy Birthday Roma!

2010-04-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

Every year on April 21th, Rome celebrates its birthday. On this day the doors of numerous museums and archeological sites are open to the public, and the streets are flooded by sumptuous processions of gladiators, senators, and other heroes of the Roman many-century history.

According to legend, the twin brothers Romulus and Remus were the founders of Rome. They miraculously escaped death in their infancy, and were nursed by the she-wolf. But the evidence of the story was found only some time ago: during the excavations in the Forum area, which have been held for 20 years, were found the remnants of the ancient palace, which is considered to be founded some 750 BC. On the place, where stood the Temple of Romulus (which is now the part of the Santi Cosma e Damiano), was found the frame of the historical building, which was unsuccessfully searched by many generations of scientists. Thereby, Rome has proved once again that it is the "Eternal City".

As usual, also this year a procession of people dressed as Roman gladiators, soldiers, gods and goddesses will take place along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. According to the website of the “Gruppo Storico Romano” that organizes it, this year's parade will start at 11:30 am on Sunday, April 18th at the Circo Massimo and will make its way along a fairly circuitous route to the Via dei Fori Imperiali.

This is truly a unique occasion to deepen one’s knowledge of ancient Rome and to see how much Romans love their beautiful city!

April Photo Competition

2010-04-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

Once again, we asked our students to share with us their amazing experience here at the Pantheon Institute by sending the best pictures they are taking during their study-abroad experience in Rome.

This month’s photo competition theme is “Us, the students of the Pantheon Institute”. We invited the students to send us all the pictures they like, especially the funniest ones... The deadline will be April 20th, as after that all of them will be very busy with their final exams! As a matter of fact, this semester is coming to an end…days are flying by so fast but we are sure our students are enjoying the time they are spending here in the Eternal City!

April’s prize for the photo competition will be a nice basket full of typical Italian products: chili pepper olive oil, wild boar sausages, Limoncello cream, Ciambelle al Vino (wine biscuits), truffle pasta and Chianti wine.

Isn’t this more than a good reason to participate?

HAPPY EASTER! BUONA PASQUA!

2010-04-02T02:53:00.000-07:00

While you probably won't see the Easter bunny if you're in Italy for Easter, you will see that this is a major holiday in Italy, taken so seriously that even those who don't enter a church all year long will go on Easter Sunday.

Solemn religious celebrations are held in many towns on the Friday or Saturday before Easter and on Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, the Pope celebrates the Via Crucis in Rome near the Colosseum. A huge cross with burning torches lights the sky as the stations of the cross are described in several languages. While Easter mass will be held in every church in Italy, the biggest and most popular mass is held by the Pope at St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday morning, Mass is celebrated in Saint Peter's Square, and hence it can have a stadium feeling. Afterwards the Pope delivers the blessing known as the "Urbi et Orbi - to the City and to the World" from the balcony on the façade of Saint Peter's.

Obviously, also food plays a key part in the celebrations. Lamb and eggs are found on tables around the country along with seasonal vegetables and salad. Local dolci specialities join with the national uovo di cioccolata and la Colomba, a dove-shaped cake covered with icing and almonds.

If they are not already away from home, it is often on Lunedi dell'Angelo - also called Pasquetta, that full-stomached Italians head for their favourite places. In Rome the thing to do is to go fuori porta - out of the gates of Rome - and wander about the countryside picking wild chicory and feasting on lamb that has been roasted on an open spit.

As Pantheon Institute, we want to wish Happy Easter to everybody! Enjoy our beautiful city now, when finally the warmer, sunnier days of spring have come! BUONA PASQUA!

A night at the bowling!

2010-04-02T02:52:00.000-07:00

Bowling is not exactly the most practiced sport in Italy. That’s maybe why there are only two or three bowling places in a city as big as Rome. Brunswick in the north part of it, close to the Olimpic stadium and therefore quite far from the Pantheon Institute offices and dorms in the historic center. In spite of this, we decided to organize a bowling night for our students there: Brunswick is the biggest bowling in Rome with its 24 lanes, a mini-golf and a beautiful restaurant.

Right after Wednesday’s Italian class was over, we left the Pantheon office and we headed towards Piazza San Silvestro to take bus n. 53 that would lead us straight to our destination. As soon as we reached the stop, we got on the bus but the driver immediately asked us to get off…the bus was going to the deposit! These are the inconveniences of using public transportation in Rome, a city that’s as beautiful as much as it is chaotic, from this point of view! After chatting for a while, our bus finally got to there. It took us about one hour to get to the bowling, but it was worth it!

Rome’s Brunswick is really cool and our students felt “a little bit like home”…After renting the shoes, the PI students decided to take two lanes and the competition started! I have to say, as a spectator, that the show was really exciting! Many of the Pantheon Institute bowlers proved to be very good. With excellent techniques and powerful shots, almost all of them scored way more than 100 points…with just few exceptions.

Between one shot and another, we had also some time to eat something…also in this case, the students felt like home: everybody had either an hamburger with French fries, fish and chips or a slice of pizza, and everything was delicious!

After bowling, we tried also a little basketball. Our students from Clemson University proved to be real champions! Their score was amazing…

After two very nice hours spent at Brunswick, we decided to go back home. We had a pleasant walk along the Tiber and we reached Piazza Mancini, a square that’s right in front of the Olimpic stadium and we caught bus n. 2 which led us right to Piazza del Popolo.

Bowling was so much fun! And it is definitely an activity we will propose again to the future students of the Pantheon Institute.

Come on, Pantheon Institute!

2010-03-30T02:47:00.000-07:00

Those who think that American kids cannot play soccer make a big mistake. Seven Pantheon Institute quality players challenged an Italian team to a soccer game on a beautiful spring day last Saturday. Everybody was anxious to play, so they arrived early at the soccer field, and had even time to make some pictures and sunbathe…

The Italian teacher Maurizio was also there to see his kids playing and was the team’s orchestrator, motivating and keeping them moving forward. Italy team proved to be a tough nut to crack, and yet the Pantheon Institute were constructive, and after a little while they took the lead with two goals.

American kids were more aggressive, and pressed much higher up the pitch, but unfortunately commitment was not enough, and the goals sparkled Italy into action,: at the end of the game, Italians took home a 3-2 scoreline, albeit with a touch of luck… Was it really important? The real winner was the wish of have fun!

Live music at Big Mama club!

2010-03-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Some students from the Pantheon Institute had the chance to see a live performance by the Burning Bright, the official Italian Doors tribute band, last night at Big Mama club in Trastevere. Open since 1984, Big Mama is considered as one of the best places to listen to live music in Rome.

The Burning Bright, led by a charismatic singer who really resembles Jim Morrison, played for over two hours and performed the Doors’ most famous songs for an enthusiastic and very loud public: among the others, Light My Fire, LA Woman, Touch Me and Riders on the Storm.

Essere o non essere, questo è il problema!

2010-03-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Some “brave” Pantheon Institute students agreed to come with us and see a play performed in Italian on Thursday night.

They had two options to choose from: “La Locandiera”, by the famous 18th century Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni or “Hamlet”, the masterpiece by William Shakespeare.

The students promptly opted for the second possibility: knowing the story already, they said, it would be easier to understand the actors playing in Italian. But Shakespeare’s cues translated into another language aren’t exactly the easiest thing to hear for an English-speaking person. Nevertheless, our students tried very hard to understand what the different characters appearing on stage were telling each other and they managed to get most of the speeches performed by the actors.

Hamlet was put on stage by the “Teatro del Carretto” actors company; they performed a very interesting adaptation of this celebrated bloody melodrama on the theme of revenge.

This experience was also interesting from an architectural point of view: Teatro India, where the play was performed, is indeed located in the citadel of the former Mira Lanza factory, a large industrial site on the banks of the River Tiber in an extremely evocative part of the city. The great gasometer that visually dominates the theatre has come to be a contemporary monument and a symbol of twentieth century Rome associated with this building.

Do you speak English? Parli Italiano?

2010-03-18T04:29:00.000-07:00

“Quando sei a Roma, vivi come i romani” (When you are in Rome, live as a Roman”): easy to say, but not always to do, especially if you live in Piazza Navona and spend most of your time between this charming square and Campo dè Fiori, and you feel that the city is in the hands of Japanese tourists…

This is why we decided to contact the University of Rome, “Roma tre”, and invited some Italians of the Department of Foreign Languages to meet our American students in the center at via del Pantheon in a safe, encouraging atmosphere.

Our marvellous Italian teachers, Barbara and Maurizio, were there to help to facillitate conversation, but after a little while, some good food and drinks, everybody started immediately to talk and practise their Italian and/or their English. No matter if someone said something wrong! It was even more fun!

At the end of the day, everybody was sorry to leave… but hopefully this was just the beginning of new friendships!!

8 March International Women's Day: a little history

2010-03-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

Even in Ancient Rome a day dedicated to women was celebrated. March 8 was one of the first of the springtime festae, a day sacred to Ariadne, whom Thesius had abandoned on the Island of Naxos after promising to marry her if she helped him slay her father's pet Minotaur. Seduced and abandoned, she was a prototype for ancient Mediterranean womanhood.

On March 8th 1857, women of New York gathered to hold their first protest for improved work conditions and raised wages. March 8th 1908, another historical moment for women took place in New York, fifteen thousand women protested shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Finally as of March 8th 1975, the United Nations declared this day an International Women’s Day.

Authorities don't agree how or why, but the custom started in Italy -- some sources say in Rome in 1946 -- of men giving their wives, mothers, daughters, and other women friends sprigs of bright yellow Mimosa flowers on March 8. Women have since also started to give Mimosa to each other. The flowers are intended as a sign of respect for the women and also an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.

What is it that we women were so desperately trying to obtain? We wanted to be equal to men: to work, be entrepreneurs, deal with financial problems, etc. We have achieved all that we sought after. Are we happy now?

Alas, women can never be completely satisfied. We are too smart for our own good. Today we lack the most important element of life – TIME! We are so busy with that which we sought so hard to achieve. Today we must deal with our work and financial status, but no one took away our inherited responsibility for our family and children….

Don't give up! Happy Women's day to all!!

Pantheon Institute Photo Contest

2010-02-25T01:06:00.000-08:00

Taking pictures is a passion…and it becomes a real pleasure if the subjects to photograph are the Colosseum, the Pantheon and St. Peter’s. Rome is no doubt the ideal city for those who love immortalizing breathtaking views with their camera.

And do you think there is a better occasion for taking pictures to keep all lifelong than a study abroad experience? This is just the reason why the Pantheon Institute decided to run a photo competition for its students: the best three pictures of this month will get a free brunch at the restaurant Gustolab at via dè Filippini, 4 - just off Piazza Navona.

We received a lot of pictures, one more beautiful than the other…Our students are really talented and, with their pictures, they managed to get the poetry that hides behind every sight, even the simplest ones! It wasn’t an easy choice for us, but all of the students will have the chance to win the next competition that will end on March 30th and whose theme will be "people in Rome and in Italy". The winning picture will get a very nice prize…

Do you want to know which pictures have won this month’s competition?
Check out the “photo of the month” page in the “current students” section of our website: http://www.pantheon-institute.com/current.php?id=31

La Cena (The Dinner)

2010-02-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

As most of us know, Italians don’t take cooking lightly. It’s practically sacred. No Lean Cuisines or Tater tots will suffice for a meal over here. Though you’ll come across a few McDonald’s, they are only found in the most touristy of places, because really it’s all about slow food in this country. The kitchen is more like an art studio, and there’s a right way to do everything. Don’t forget to salt the water when you make the pasta, oh and al dente per favore.

To know the secrets, it’s best to learn from a real Italian, rather than the menu at Olive Garden (eww.) The other night, we had the opportunity to do just that. Our marvelous Student Service Assistant Simona paid us a visit in our apartment at Piazza Navona to help us make a real Roman meal.

A handful of us went to the supermercato earlier in the day to collect the items we needed for the following menu: Pasta alla Carbonara, Insalata con pere, noci, e Parmigiano (pears, walnuts and parmesan) and Tiramisu. Though at first we had some difficulty locating the ladyfingers for the Tiramisu, we managed to purchase everything we needed with each participant’s contribution of 5 Euro, and we even grabbed a couple bottles of vino! Success.

The night began with the preparation of Tiramisu, so that it could spend some time in the fridge before we devoured it. It was a bit of a process, and everyone took a turn at doing things like making the caffe’, whipping the egg whites, folding the mixture, dipping the lady fingers, and slowly building the masterpiece.

Then, on to the salad. We carefully chopped the pears, sliced the cheese, cleaned the lettuce, and cracked the walnuts, mixing it all together into two huge bowls of green goodness.

And finally, la pasta alla carbonara, a Roman specialty consisting of rigatoni, egg, black pepper, pecorino, and pancetta (or zucchini and onion for us vegetarians.) Back to the cutting board to chop the zucchini and onion. The tiny cubes of pancetta were thrown on the fire, followed by the veggies. So close we could taste it! While we waited for the pasta to cook, we opened the first bottle of vino and made a little toast to our evening. Luckily we had our Italian friends around to make certain that we had achieved true al dente perfection. Finally we mixed in the egg and Voila!

Thank goodness for our common area with its long table to seat all of us, which we adorned with candles to set the mood. With a hearty Buon Appetito our meal began and we gladly enjoyed the fruits of our labor in the company of friends.

Snow...in Rome!

2010-02-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

I was only 3 years old when it last snowed in Rome…it was 1985!

I remember that the first thing I did after waking up, was jumping off the bed and running to the window to see if the snow we had so long expected, had arrived. And my astonishment in front of such an unusual show was great, of course!

My mother saw my anxious expression and she immediately dressed me up for the occasion. I remember having a lot of fun playing in the garden with my sister and with all of the other little kids living in my building.

And finally, after such a long time, Rome has turned white again on Friday morning offering its people and the numerous tourists who visit it a breathtaking show.

Obviously, this event has not only brought joy and amazement but also chaos…a lot of chaos!

We Romans are not suitable for dealing with snow at all…Rain is yet a big problem, mostly for cars and scooters that paralyze the city when it rains…drivers just go crazy! Can you imagine what happens with snow?

But all of the discomforts that this uncommon event has caused to the Eternal City won’t make us want to forget such a special day! Not until the next snowfall, at least!

"On Top of the World" (Villa Adriana Trip by a PI student)

2010-02-11T05:43:00.000-08:00

On top of the world, or at least Adrian’s. You tend to see things in perspective, the broad scope of humanity when you’re perched above all things around you.

There is a certain amount of pride one feels, I imagine without actually understanding, those that have ventured to the top of the world.

In this instance a picture is worth about as much as a postcard you’d find across the street from Mount Rushmore. My deepest feeling is that as evolved creatures, we have the ability to create astonishing images within our minds. One that Nikon cannot even begin to comprehend. I may have a tendency to over dramatize a moment. Create the illusion of some cataclysmic scene. I have no problem admitting that. When you are unable to open your mind to thinking in a way that is bigger than you, I have to criticize.

Fifty years from now I am going to want these memories. I want to remember standing on what was once the private villa of an emperor to Rome. Overlooking Tivoli and the surrounding mountains. The ay the olive trees seem to create a sparkling sea of green that shimmers in the wind. One barn plopped down in a vast endless plain, sheets of green layered all the way to a distant range. The only thing that keeps my eyes and imagination from running off is the tiny moving boxes crossing smack dab in the middle of my painting. Fucking Highway.

Who would have thought I would be sitting in a town outside of Rome, suffocated by architects. Sketching, putting my picture to paper using lines and geometry instead of loops, dots, and scratches. Allowing me to see the world from a different perspective, it keeps me sane. Brings objective light into an otherwise subject moment.

Carnival Time!

2010-02-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

Carnival has very ancient origins: it is believed to have originated in Roman times when the Saturnalia, the Saturn festival, and the Lupercalia, the full moon feast, were celebrated.

Carnival is celebrated forty days before Easter, as a final party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent, when the rigors of fasting and sacrifice begin. As a matter of fact, the word “carnival” derives from the Latin expression “carne-levare”, literally "to stop eating meat".

The celebration of carnival ends on Mardi Gras (French for "Shrove Tuesday").

For the second year running, Rome city council has organized a programme of events to celebrate the traditional carnival season. Carnevale Romano runs from February 6th to Shrove Tuesday, on February16th.

A considerable number of events are now taking place in the city center and, more precisely, in the area that comprises Via del Corso, Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna.

Among other activities, masquerade parades, equestrian shows, concerts and theatre plays are scheduled for the 2010 Carnevale Romano edition. Most of these events are free and they represent a unique chance to immerse oneself in this magical atmosphere!

Whether you are attending these events or not, do not forget to walk into a pastry shop and buy the traditional Carnival fried or baked sweets: frappe and castagnole…simply delicious!

Cooking Class & Dinner at Gustolab Restaurant

2010-02-05T02:20:00.001-08:00

What’s the difference between Pomodoro San Marzano and Pomodoro Pendolo? What does the expression “fare la scarpetta” mean? Where do the lemons used to prepare the delicious torta Amalfitana come from?

These are only some of things that the Gustolab restaurant staff explained to the Pantheon Institute students during the cooking class and dinner that took place last Tuesday.

Armando, the Neapolitan cook, prepared a yummy menu with involtini di melanzane (eggplant rolls filled with mozzarella cheese), scarparielli pomodoro e basilico (a very large size kind of pasta with a typical variety of tomatoes from the Campania region and basil) and Torta Amalfitana (chocolate cake with lemon scented cream).

And wine could not miss of course! What’s better that a glass of great Nero D’Avola wine to accompany this fabulous dinner?

Looking for a book? Ask the Pantheon Institute!

2010-01-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

Besides hosting two classrooms, the Student Services Team office and the computer room, our Via del Pantheon location has become the seat of our library since the beginning of the Spring 2010 semester.

With about 1000 items, the Pantheon Institute library offers our students a good selection of Italian and foreign literature books going on with social sciences and language texts and ending, of course, with a considerable number of architecture and landscape architecture items.

The Pantheon Center is the ideal place to relax while reading a novel or to study on an architecture book and elaborate a design project on our iMacs.

Simona, our librarian, is available for all the students who want to check out books or need any other kind of didactic material.

Spring Break...Pantheon Institute Style

2009-03-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

While most US colleges students were gearing up for the same old, alcohol splattered, I did what, dude, Spring Break in some sunny foreign resort mostly resembling a frat house, Pantheon Institute students were preparing their Spring break assault on Europe. Like the song goes, Rome, London, Paris, Pantheon Institute students packed up their sacks and headed out in all directions for this ten-day pause from class. From Barcelona to Amsterdam to Ireland, they had the great opportunity of exploring other parts of Europe, only adding to their knowledge, experience and learning. With many destinations only a short plane ride away, students enjoyed the opportunity to visit two or three countries over the course of their break taking in the various cultures that spread out over the continent. Something that makes studying at the Pantheon Institute all the rave; unforgettable Spring Break in Europe, dude!

Barcelona/Paris
Photos courtesy of Paige Landry,
Pantheon Institute/ConnColl
Spring 2009

Our Central Location in Rome Makes a Difference

2009-03-05T03:19:00.000-08:00

The Pantheon Institute is spread out over a number of buildings in the historic center of Rome. Among its most treasured locations is the center located in one of the Doria Pamphilji Palazzi located on the Piazza Navona adjacent to Borromini’s masterpiece, the Sant’Agnese in Agone church. Students have dorms, study rooms and even classes in the palazzo where the monuments of historic Rome are literally on their doorstep. In addition to the Navona Center, the Pantheon Institute’s faculty and administration building is located on Via del Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotunda where the Roman architectural marvel, the Pantheon, has stood for nearly 2000 years. Finally, students enjoy the characteristic Roman quarter of Trastevere with additional Pantheon Institute dorms located right on the Tiber river just a short walk away from the Institute.If you interested in studying abroad in Rome and live day-to-day in the historic center of the Eternal City with experienced and dedicated professors coupled by unparalleled student services, the Pantheon Institute is the obvious and only choice.

Students Visit Ancient Ruins South of Rome

2009-02-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

The Pantheon Institute believes students should take full advantage of the resources offered by the host country of Italy. In order to fulfill this mission, faculty members teach at various historic sites throughout the city and the staff members also lead informative tours.

Last weekend, a group of students traveled south of Rome to the ancient cities of Pompeii and Paestum. Pompeii was completely buried in AD 79 after Mt. Vesuvius erupted, but was not excavated until 1748. Paestum was part of the Greek civilization near the current city of Naples which still boasts temple ruins and painted tombs from the 6th century BC.

This optional weekend trip was one of the extracurricular activities offered to students. Each semester, the Pantheon Institute arranges for events and excursions in and around Rome for students to learn about the history and culture of their host country.

Photos courtesy of Dr. Ann Devlin, professor of psychology at Connecticut College. Professor Devlin is leading a Study Away Teach Away (SATA) program at the Pantheon Institute this spring.

Photo of the Month Winner

2009-02-05T00:58:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Aaron Fischer (University of Rochester) for his winning photo for the Pantheon Institute's January photo contest, "Vatican From The River." Aaron will enjoy a free pizza at the nearby Rossopomodoro pizzeria. Congrats!

Italy as a Classroom

2009-02-02T02:36:00.001-08:00

This past Friday Pantheon Institute student Matthew Addison learned about Michelangelo. But Addison wasn’t in class, he was in Florence, part of the Pantheon Institute’s extended campus. Addison hopped a train at Rome’s Termini station and headed up through the Latium and then Tuscan countryside to Florence, capital of the region of Tuscany and Italy’s Renaissance capital. While Addison’s tourist itinerary wasn’t too packed (he was there to see a friend studying abroad), he did see Michelangelo’s David, the cathedral and the baptistery, the Ponte Vecchio, and the view of the city of Florence from the little town of Fiesole on the hill across the Arno River. Learning, inside and outside the classroom – that’s the Pantheon Institute.

Aperitivo 101

2009-01-29T06:01:00.000-08:00

What is an aperitivo? An Italian-English dictionary gives apéritif …which for most Americans doesn’t really explain anything. But last night students got a translation, not of the word (they’re here to learn Italian anyway) but rather of the concept. The aperitivo is a great Italian custom of getting together with friends for a small drink before dinner. The drink is usually a small glass of prosecco (champagne) or vino bianco, or even drinks called bitters, said to stimulate the appetite. The best part of the aperitivo is that the price of a drink includes a buffet, making it a favorite among college students who can, for the price of a drink have a vino out with friends and even have enough food to not have to make pasta.

Pantheon Institute students followed staff member Zach Nowak through narrow streets to Piazza di Montevecchio to the aperitivo bar called Société Lutèce. Students tried the preeminent aperitivo drink, Campari Orange, as well as cool Chardonnays, and then filled their plates with Basmati rice, tomatoes in olive oil, couscous with peas, and cinnamon apples. As Professor Ann Devlin commented, it was nice to get away “from the usual spaghetti and chicken routine.” Getting into Italy through Classroom Rome – that’s what the Pantheon Institute is all about.

Field o' Flowers

2009-01-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

Today Pantheon Institute student services coordinator Zach Nowak led a group to Campo de’ Fiori, one of Rome’s most colourful squares. The Campo was originally a meadow (the name means literally “field o' flowers”) because it lay in the low land near the Tiber River. Development began in the fifteen hundreds with several Renaissance palaces, but the piazza retained its plebeian character and became a center of commerce, something to which the cross-streets attest: Via dei Balestrari (crossbow-makers), Via dei Baullari (coffer-makers), Via dei Cappellari (hat-makers), Via dei Chiavari (key-makers) and Via dei Giubbonari (tailors).

The Campo wasn’t all fun and games, though, as it had a permenant gallows for executions. The most famous of these was the philosopher Giordano Bruno. On 17 February 1600 he was burnt alive by the Roman Inquisition because his ideas (such as heliocentrism) were deemed dangerous. Today a tall statue of him stands in the middle of the campo: Bruno stands defiantly facing the Vatican, reinterpreted in the first days of a reunited Italy as a martyr to freedom of speech.

Less gruesome and now more famous, though, is the Campo’s vegetable and flower market. Since 1869 there has been a vegetable and fish market there every morning, which was the reason for today’s outing. Zach pointed out the best places to get arance rosse (blood oranges) and Roman broccoli, described as “broccoli on acid” by Wikipedia. This market is within three minutes of the Navona dorms of the Pantheon Institute, and is another way that the Institute uses all of Rome as a classroom. Arrivederci!

Want to get a better look? Click here for a short video showing Campo de’ Fiori.

A Trip To A Roman Villa

2009-01-26T00:55:00.000-08:00

Emperor Hadrian, who governed the entire Roman Empire from 117 to 138 A.D., was just not a city guy. After his accession to the throne, he quickly tired of the stuffy palaces of the Palatine Hill, above the Forum, and began building an enormous villa complex outside of the city. Happily, despite medieval cardinals stealing statues, the villa’s ruins are more or less intact. Professor Romolo Martemucci took the students to the villa and provided them with a nearly three hour long tour. A credit to his tourguiding ability, though, came from a student’s comment: “It was long, but we never got bored!” The students even got to cross the ropes into the bath area of the villa, just long enough to pose, reclining, for a photo. The trip was offered by the Pantheon Institute as part of its co-curricular programming.

Just another historical note: we here at the Pantheon Institute have a particular affection for Emperor Hadrian. The current Pantheon is a rebuilding of the original, and was carried out at Hadrian’s direction.

Photo courtesy Prof. Ann Devlin, Connecticut College.

Hippophagy

2009-01-22T03:45:00.000-08:00

Cows are beautiful, gentle animals that chew their cud and lay down in the middle of the filed, splotches of black and white on a green background. And then we eat them. And none of us have any problem with it. Then why don’t we Americans eat horse (technically known as "hippophagy", from the Greek hippo for "horse" plus phagy for "eating")? Cultural anthropologist Marvin Harris, in his book Good To Eat, asks the same question: “Horsemeat is redder than beef, but Americans like red meat. Horsemeat is sweeter than beef, but would that bother people who dump sweetened ketchup and steak sauce on their T-bones and sirloins? […] Horsemeat is also lean and unmarbled, and tender even from an older horse…” But despite the taste and health benefits, we just don’t eat horse.

But Italians sure do. It’s not as widespread as a hundred years ago, but horsemeat is still eaten in many parts of Italy, and is certainly available all over the peninsula. And last night, some brave Pantheon Institute tried it. Six bold students (and their bold professor, Connecticut College’s Ann Devlin) had a whole dinner of salad and horsemeat cooked a cast-iron skillet, and another eight students tried a piece (in some cases, more than one piece). It was a huge cultural leap, leaving cultural taboos back home and trying something radically different, even just once. This is of course, is exactly why one travels, and it’s one of the Pantheon Institute’s goals for students studying abroad!

The Inauguration: Watching from Rome

2009-01-20T07:20:00.001-08:00

Last night, millions (even billions?) watched as Barack Obama became the forty-fourth President of the United States. The Pantheon Institute students, as well as a dozen or so friends, crowded into the common room of the fourth floor dorm. A projector, a borrowed laptop, some iPod speakers, and a little techno-savvy on the part of the students got the picture projected on the sixteenth-century wall just in time for the oath of office. Many (though not all) the students had voted for Obama, but even if their votes had not been unanimous, their applause was when Mr.Obama put down his hand, and was President Obama.
There were some glitches in our streaming connection during the inaugural address, though luckily Reverend Lowry’s benediction came through just fine. Try translating “…and the red man can get ahead, man,” into Italian (we tried!). But despite the blips and burbles of the internet, we got the gist, and everyone present – Americans and Italians – seemed to be hopeful that a new era was starting. America had decided to return to its status as friend to the world, partner in global dealings, and we were all proud to be, in some small, representatives abroad.

Photo courtesy Aaron Fisher.

Roman Vacation

2009-01-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Gregory Peck has nothing on the Pantheon Institute students, who took advantage of their first weekend in Rome to see the Eternal City. The Coliseum and the Vatican were among the first choices, though the Campo dei Fiori market attracted some early risers, too. This Friday could see an optional trip (offered by the Institute) to see the Roman emperor Hadrian’s villa outside the city at Tivoli. Details to follow!

Photo courtesy Haley Massey.