Umbra Semester Comes to a Festive Conclusion
The world did not end yesterday, but the Umbra Institute Fall 2012 semester did.
The last few weeks have seen Umbra students bustling about school and city, cramming for finals, purchasing token Italian gifts, and soaking in their remaining time in Perugia.
Students were offered the opportunity to share what they learned during their semester abroad.
On Dec. 3, Creative Writing students read aloud the stories they labored over all semester before an applauding audience in the Umbra library. Fresco and Digital Photography students displayed their semester’s work at the art show in the Via dei Priori building on Dec. 11. The artists — some of whom had not taken an art class since elementary school — explained their techniques over appetizers and drinks to Umbra faculty, staff, and fellow students. The following day, students who participated in Umbra’s Community Engagement programs presented their experiences to a packed auditorium at the Baroque-style Santa Cecilia Oratorio.
To celebrate all students’ accomplishments, Umbra hosted a farewell aperitivo at the favorite Birraio last Thursday. After taking final group photos in front of the picturesque view behind the local brewery, Umbra students, staff, and faculty reminisced over drinks and appetizers.
A few short hours later, the first wave of students boarded the 1 a.m. bus to the airport in Rome, teary-eyed but happy. The final group of students left Perugia, their temporary home, in similar fashion early this morning.
Thanks for a great semester, Umbra Fall 2012. We wish you happy holidays!