Living Italy

Italy

Duration 9 days

Suggested group size 12 - 20 students / 2 Envoys Field Staff

Suggested ages 14 - 18

Experience Ancient Rome & Sense of Place
Latin Texts

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Living Italy

Italy

With close readings of Latin texts performed at each of our historical site visits, students learn that Latin is far from dead, living on the cultura legacies of the authors, and written into the walls that have survived since antiquity. Traveling through Rome, Vatican City, Tivoli and the ancient cities surrounding Mount Vesuvius, Italy we hear the reverberations of Latin in contemporary Italian, and consider how the study of this ancient language unlocks meaning in many others.

“The art of Renaissance meets the flavors of la dolce vita. “

“Students stroll through ancient streets, savoring the timeless beauty of culture and cuisine.“

Impact Statement Everywhere we go, we carry a promise – to engage with respect, act with purpose, and leave a positive imprint. As envoys of our journey is more than travel; Our footprint is light, but our impact is profound, creating bridges of cooperation and mutual growth across the globe.

Day 1

Students depart from their home city to begin their journey to Italy on an overnight flight.

Day 2

In Rome, Envoys leaders greet the group before boarding a train to Naples. After hotel check-in, we enjoy lunch and explore the city. We gather for a safety briefing and also set out goals for our trip. The day ends with a town center walk and dinner.

Day 3

We take a train from Naples to Pompeii, a Roman city buried by volcanic ash. After exploring its well-preserved ruins we have lunch and visit Herculaneum, another preserved site. Then, we tour the Naples Archeological Museum and have dinner before returning to our hotel.

Day 4

We travel to Rome, drop our bags at the hotel and have lunch. We visit the Colosseum and the Forum, followed by Palatine Hill. We walk through the ruins of the Flavian Palace and up through the Colle Oppio park and later dine and discuss our discoveries in modern Rome.

Day 5

We head to Vatican City for the day. We start at the Vatican Museums to explore the vast art collection. After lunch nearby, we visit St. Peter’s Basilica, exploring its Renaissance architecture and Latin inscriptions. Later, we explore shops in Piazza Navona and dine near our hotel.

Day 6

We begin early at the Pantheon, a well-preserved Roman temple. After exploring, we visit nearby sites and have lunch. In the afternoon, we relax at Villa Borghese gardens and reflect on our experiences. Later, we explore Fontanella Borghese Market before our dinner and rest.

Day 7

After breakfast, we join an urban scrap architecture workshop. In the afternoon, we meet St. Stephen's School students for lunch for a cultural exchange, then visit the Capitoline Museums. The day ends exploring the Baths of Caracalla's restored subterranean tunnels.

Day 8

We travel along the historic Via Appia, exploring landmarks, then head to Ostia Antica, an ancient archaeological site near the coast. After lunch, we study Latin inscriptions and delve into the city's history. We return to Rome for dinner with guest Jeremy Hartnett.

Day 9

On our final day, we conduct a program closing ceremony during which we share our appreciations for one another, and enjoy a final breakfast of Roman classics. We then transfer to the airport for our flights back home, taking memories and insights that stay with us long after we've gotten home.

Highlights

Lenses of Inquiry

Cultural and Philosophical

This lens is crucial as it explores the cultural and philosophical legacies of Latin authors, emphasizing the language's enduring presence in the historical and contemporary context of Rome.

Latin as Living Language

The focus on Latin as a living language and its impact on contemporary Italian, as well as its broader influence on various languages, provides a comprehensive understanding of the linguistic aspects of the program.

Cultural Immersion

The emphasis on a full immersion in the culture behind the Latin language by traveling through significant locations in Italy ensures that students experience the cultural richness that surrounds the language they are studying.