Lamezia, Calabria Region By the Sea

Transcription

1 2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange Program The Italian Experience Lamezia, Calabria Region By the Sea Wow! What a wonderful experience! I had a fabulous week filled with fun, food, laughter and lots of learning. My host Principals organized terrific school visits and workshops facilitated by the energetic and enthusiastic teaching staff at Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" who brought their wealth of experience about instructional practices and school leadership with a depth of knowledge and understanding of the Italian education system. School visits were eye openers and the opportunity to savor local cuisine and culture with my host and at Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" a Hospitality School just added to the experience. I finished the week tired and exhilarated, yet knowing that I wanted to return to the Calabria region to experience more Italian culture in the near future. I would like to thank all the educational professionals and the wonderful students that I met at Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" and the other school sites that I visited in Lamezia Terme, you made the week a most memorable experience. The study tour was part of the 2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange Program. I was hosted by two great principals from Lamezia Terme, Lorenzo Benincasa and Rossana Costantino. Mr Benincasa is the principal of L Istituto Borello-Fioentino and Ms. Constantino is the principal of Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi, Lamezia Terme in the Calabria region. I flew into and out of Rome from Montreal Canada. I knew that spending some time there was pretty much mandatory on my first trip to Italy. Rome is a living archaeological site full of history, culture and relics from the original Roman Empire. I had a wonderful visit in Rome seeing the sites, learning about the culture, food, and language. I would definitely recommend first time visitors to Italy not to miss a stay in Rome. 1

2 La Mezia Terme Following my two day tour of Rome I took the train south for four hours to my destination La Mezia Terme. I was met at the train station by my principal host Lorenzo B. Immediately, I felt the warmth hospitality of the Calabria region. I spend most of the week visiting French and hospitality classes with my host, Rosangela Filice. Besides visiting schools and discussing how literacy and numeracy is embedded in their Italian hospitality program, I visited many museums and churches. Every day during sisesta time in Lamezia when all of the city would take two hours to rest after lunch and close all businesses, I would walk for two hours through the city center and explore historical sites, alleys, streets castles and bridges. 2

3 The Italian hospitality and food was amazing no matter where I ate. My brief stay in Lamezia Terme made it clear why people are so proud about the region of Calabria. The landscape is picturesque with views from every hilltop and weather that was really mild for the month of March. After a few days in Lamezia I had gotten used to the serendipity of wandering back alley paths and it was a city that definitely rewarded those who were willing to explore it on foot. I found stores, restaurants, and coffee shops and enjoyed the quiet local museums and church architecture. I had many great meals at my host home and at the hospitality school. Rome and the Calabria regions the food was delicious. The food at the hospitality was exceptional. The culinary arts students made me the best Risotto that I ate during my visit. 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 The 2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange was one of the best professional development exchanges that I have experienced. It was an extraordinary cultural experience and I even improved my Italian, visited new towns and cities in Italy, and savored some of the best food that I have ever tasted in my life. Since I speak French it made the Italian language feel about 75% readable and it was easy to pick up short phrases. Although it was a working vacation, it was really easy to slip into the relaxed Italian lifestyle. I am excited to return to Italy to enjoy more Italian hospitality, culture and food. Finally, I would like to thank Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership, Ottawa Carleton Education Network ( Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the wonderful teaching staff in the schools that I visited in Lamezia for this enriching exchange and networking opportunities. My participating in this professional exchange program organized by OPC provided me with the authentic opportunity to connect with other innovative school principals in Lamezia, Calabria, Italy, in a collaborative peer shadowing and shared professional experience. 8