Where to begin? I have been here at the Universita di Salerno now for one week, and have gotten so many impressions about Italy.
Soon I will meet my first class in psicologia e pedagogia (educational psychology) at the Universita di Salerno, which is located in Fisciano, a few miles north of the city of Salerno. The university is one of the oldest in the world, established in the late 1200's. Only the university at Bologna is (I think) older. Universita di Salerno was also the site of the first medical school in Europe, and it existed until the early or mid-1900's. Today, the universita is a comprehensive one (and HUGE with over 50,000 students!). It has faculties in science, law, languages, engineering, and of course, scienza di formazione, or the science of "formation," which is loosely translated as child/human development as it relates to education. I am working with professore Antonio Iannaccone, who has published many papers, and is himself an international authority on developmental and cognitive psychology. A delightful scholar and friend to work with!
My course meets on Wedsnesdays and Fridays, late in the afternoon. The students are here till late on Friday, then the universita closes entirely for the weekend, each weekend. (Not possible to use library, computers, offices, etc. on Sat or Sunday—must plan ahead!) Prof. Iannaccone will help with translation, to get me started.
I am living at Tenuta Galdieri, an agriturismo (tourist farm) on a hillside in Carpineto, near Fisciano. It's a beautiful working farm plus refurbished monastery, and it overlooks the universita. In the distance is the gulf of Salerno and to the right, Mt. Vesuvius. I have been "adopted" by the caretakers, Vincenza and Alfonzo, two of the most gentile (kind, sweet) people imaginable. They are both the main caretakers for Tenuta. Vincenza is also the chef for the Tenuta, while Alfonzo does many of the caretaking jobs (including baking delicious crusty bread). Alfonso makes the wine as well, which carries the label of “Tenuta Galdieri” (I wonder if it is exported? It is very simple, and richly tasty.) There are animals, of course, roosters, ducks, goats, and I think, sheep and lambs. Many birds compete with i gallo (the rooster) in the morning. It is beautiful.
The distance from Tenuta to the universita is about 1 mile, "as the crow flies." However, the road is winding, and I must be driven and picked up by Alfonso each time I need to go to the universita (or anywhere, for that matted....there is no “Cumby” or “7-11” in walking distance!) I thought of renting a car, but the cheapest ones are--no exaggeration--about 1000 euros a month. NOTA BENE: I said "euros," not “dollars.” As of today, each euro costs me about $1.54, so to rent even the smallest car for a month would cost me about $1500. Thus, I must be careful about my spending. Speaking of spending, I hope to be able to go to Salerno, big city, and buy a few things I forgot to bring. Probably next sabato (Saturday), where I will also buy sweatpants and tops to wear in camera because it has been quite cool here. I understand that aprile will be warmer...When the sun is out, it is stunningly beautiful to look over the valleys in front of my window. I will soon post pictures. In sum, I will try not to be too “neurotic” about anything, including the euro. “piano, piano” is the rule here…a noticeably less-intense spirit than in the states….
Best of all is that Vincenza and Alfonso speak no English, so I am in the best "immersion" program possible! Already after una settimane, capisco non molto italiano, ma un po' d'italiano. Eventually, in my free time, I hope to see some ancestral places--about 100 years ago, my mother's parents left the town of Nocera Inferiore (which commune I can see in the distance from my window), to come to New York. Shortly after they were married in chiesa di san matteo (St. Matthew's Church), they departed for America. Unlike the situation in 1908 where it was a little community, today Nocera is part of what we Americans would call "suburban sprawl," kind of like how American cities have grown in most directions with suburban construction and development—kind of like Los Angeles area as well as the New York-Washington DC corridor. Same thing here, so that it is like one linear city, I am told.
Going outside now to get some exercise/walking. The time-honored tradition of la "passeggiata" (leisurely stroll) must continue!! I hope to be able to post fairly regularly.
Ciao,
Roberto
