The first day, the students “only” met from 3:30 p.m. until the end of dinner, approximately 10:30 p.m. The second day was a little more demanding.

Filiberto and I met the students at their hostel at 9:45 a.m. We spent until 1 p.m. walking around Macerata and meeting in the classroom, continuing the orientation process. He’s been doing this for 15 years (longer if you count the years he conducted a program in Siena) and has developed a system of getting the students familiar with their surroundings without overwhelming them. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been very cooperative. We’ve had fog for the last few days, so you really can’t appreciate the beauty of the countryside. Looking out from the city walls, it’s difficult to see 100 yards, much less the Adriatic Sea about 15 miles away. In spite of this, the students remain tremendously upbeat. I continue to ask, “are we happy,” and I continue to get positive responses.

At 1 p.m., we led students through the university cafeteria – very different from the US. For 4 Euros they go through a line once and select from among choices for primo (pasta or risotto), secondo (meat or fish), contorno (side dish – veggies, potatoes, etc), fruit and beverage (beer, wine, soft drinks). The food is institutional (as is the ambiance), but edible and the best value possible.

From 2:45 until 5:45 we walked around town through the fog. We were fortunate to happen into the dean of the university’s communication sciences program. We had a nice chat and I hope to be able to meet with him more in the weeks to come.

From 5:45 until 8:15 the students met individually with Filiberto and Angelica (his wife who arranges all the housing) to discuss their specific living arrangements. Students requested either apartments with Americans, apartments with Italian students or home stays. Each arrangement varies dramatically. I am daily reminded of the thousands of details behind coordinating a program like this.

Dinner last night was at “La Volpe e l’Uva” (The Fox and the Grape), a restaurant that didn’t exist when I was here in 2002. We were joined by Professor Zampa, a fabulous man who teaches in the program and is always a favorite of the students. Another great meal. I think the students ended the day (after 11 p.m.) happy.

My only disappointment so far remains the missing suitcase. I shouldn’t say missing, because they called and told us it was in Ancona (about 40 miles away) but it has yet to be delivered. We continue to have hope.