WHO SHOULD ENROLL

Who should enroll?

High school age students (15 - 18 yrs), Gap-year Students and... students of any age who are motivated and excited about experiencing Italy in an authentic community and not only as tourists.
Language level is not as important, as motivation! Each student should have the willingness to learn and to adapt to changes. If you have the energy and motivation to interact with your new family and friends, you will succeed.

What makes our program so unique? 

1. Our vibrant program is focused on providing participants with a fun and easy-going environment to make friends while building fluency in Italian. You will not believe how much you can learn and experience even in only four weeks.
2. Our program is fully integrated into the local community, giving students endless opportunities to expand their Italian skills and participate in the "real"Italian life", far (but not too much!) from the touristic cities.
3. We shape our program solely around the interests of the participants. 
4. We create a trustful family environment where students build speaking confidence.
5. We also provide on request contact information from returning students! 

PRIMAVERA DEL PROSECCO

From 04/25/2013 to 05/01/2013 the 5th Exhibition of Prosecco and wines of the hills of Conegliano or "Colli di Conegliano" will take place in Conegliano.

Conegliano "City of Art and Wine" has fascinated, over the centuries, those who have crossed its territory, captivating them with the sweetness and the sinuosity of its hills, the beauty of its historic buildings and its frescoes and, finally, with the harmony of the landscape. 
Prosecco di Conegliano - Valdobbiadene today is among the major attractions that bring tourists in this area from all over the world and scholars interested in learning the secrets of its success which has roots in centuries of tradition of wine making.

In the splendid setting of the "Scuola Enologica"
a sparkling event will take place, to give the visitors the opportunity to learn and taste - with the help of expert sommeliers - the best wines available on the market today.

- Address: Conegliano, Veneto Enoteca (Via G. Dalmasso, 12) Campus of Wine School (Scuola Enologica di Conegliano)

MAKING "CROSTOLI" FOR CARNIVAL

Crostoli (called "Galani" in Venice) is a dessert made traditionally for the Carnival celebration. The Carnival ends with Lent, forty days before Easter, on Fat Tuesday ("Martedi' Grasso").

When I lived in Venice and went to Ca' Foscari University, my roommates and I looked forward for the festivities of the Carnival in Venice to start.... because with the Carnevale also the best sweets were available all around town: Crostoli and Frittelle! 

My favorite "Pasticceria" (pastry store) was "Tonolo"  near Campo S. Margherita where our apartment was.

Home made Crostoli are not hard to make, here is Valentina cooking them for Julia and the kids:

MEAL TIME

Participating in the daily Italian life ("vita") is one of the highlights of our program.

The experience to live in a different country really transforms lives and opens the mind to other cultures and traditions.

A very important tradition in every Italian family is definitely meal time. 

So what better way to actively engage in the local culture than learning how to cook from an Italian in Italy?

Julia making Pizza

Julia and Carlo

The traditional breakfast in Italy ("colazione") is usually simply "caffelatte e biscotti" (cookies). Sometimes if la mamma made a cake we would have it also for breakfast with the caffelatte. However, if  colazione is eaten in a bar, Italians like to order "cappuccino and cornetto" (croissant).

"Il Pranzo" or lunch is traditionally the most important meal for Italians. Most shops close down during the "pausa pranzo". When I was in school I used to go home every day for lunch (school ended at 1pm) and my mamma had a nice plate of pasta or risotto ready for us. My dad came home too, to have lunch with his family.

Dinner ("la cena") was a lighter meal such as a soup, salad or leftover from lunch. We never had dinner before 8pm in Italy which seems so late to me considering that now in America we have dinner at 6:30 pm or earlier!