The students arrived today! There are 24 students in the program, 8 of whom are from Ball State. One of the Ball Staters was not feeling well. He may have the flu, but it might just be a case of exhaustion from the long trip. One of the other students (not from Ball State) was having a severe anxiety attack. It was her first trip overseas, and she was fine until she arrived, then it all hit her.

It brings home the major responsibility directing a program like this can be. Filiberto Bracalente is a master. I sincerely can't imagine a site director anywhere who is better. He is knowledgeable, hard-working, caring, dedicated and pleasant. He worries about every individual student and does everything he can to make them welcome. If any of my colleagues are reading this you are absolutely crazy for not wanting to do a semester in this program.

The students spend their first couple of nights in a local hostel. Today they found out their housing assignments (beginning Friday). There was a lot of excitement in the room as they met their roommates, looked on the Macerata map for their addresses, compared locations with others, etc. Thanks to Filiberto and Angelica's (his wife) diligence, most students get their first housing choice. A few get their second choice, but none any less than that.

After orientation we had dinner at Trattoria da Ezio, my very favorite place to eat. It's a mom and pop restaurant that makes the pasta fresh every day. Check out the video of the Mom cooking http://www.marchemedia.com/WebTv/cosa%20bolle/ezio.htm. Kim and I were treated like long lost relatives who just returned. Of course dinner was spectacular, but so was the atmosphere. The students were getting a little sleepy (many of whom just arrived today), so we finished up early - probably about 10:30 p.m.

Still no suitcase. They called and said it had reached Ancona and a courier would deliver it Thursday or Friday. I told her we were missing it since Monday and pleaded with her to make it Thursday. She said they would try. Of course she knows and I know there's little I can do either way.

It's nearly midnight here so I'm turning in. Much more to do tomorrow. I'm thrilled they all made it safely and look forward to a great semester.