Join a team of media professionals creating a web documentary on the town of Cagli, Italy, and get a taste of being a foreign correspondent. You'll earn 6 communication credits from Marquette University that you can transfer back to your home campus. During this four-week program, you'll learn
* How to write for the web
* How to take great digital photos
* How to shoot and edit quality video
* How to design sharp web pages
* The ins and outs of intercultural communication
* How to work as part of a production team
We'll also provide basic language classes and interpreters for field work. You'll work in assigned production teams, using computers, digital cameras, and videocameras that we provide. The Palazzo, our computer lab, is open four days a week and some evenings and there's free internet access there. You'll be housed in shared apartments with kitchens and washing machines.
There are plenty of extracurricular activities as well: hiking, biking, cooking demos, wine tasting, dancing, and soccer games. Three-day weekends for independent travel are built into the program; the public bus can take you to nearby cities or the train station, and on Sundays we have a free beach bus to the Adriatic coast. A cell phone, Rome airport pick-up, and some meals are included (cell phone charges apply).
THE TOWN:
Cagli is an ancient town of 10,000 people, nestled on the eastern slopes of Italy's Appennini Mountains in the little-known Marche region of Italy . The Adriatic coast and its beaches are a 40-minute bus ride away, but Cagli has plenty of attractions amid its small cobblestone streets: upscale shopping, a gem of an opera house, a weekly street market, numerous cafes and amazing restaurants, mountain hiking, a modern fitness center, bike rentals, excellent medical care, two hotels, a waterfall, river swimming, and a fantastic, lively piazza.
THE CAGLI PROJECT:
Since 2002, the Cagli Project has used the format of a Professional Semester in Media. The course is a hybrid that combines classroom instruction and lab work with aspects of internship and practicum courses, including field work in a setting unfamiliar to student participants. The program is to be thought of less as a class and more as a professional enterprise, where students are employees working to produce a dynamic web documentary and faculty members serve as supervisors, charged with first training employees to master certain trades and then working with them to apply those skills.
Students participating in the Cagli Project are assigned up to nine hours a day to do work on the project. This includes time spent in class, in the field researching and producing stories, and in the lab completing assignments and coordinating the elements of each story. Students should be prepared to perform a variety of assignments and chores to support the effective functioning of the project.
This year there are six specific course modules: Storytelling, Photography, Videography, Web design, Intercultural Communication, and Italian language and culture. Journaling is incorporated as an element supporting intercultural and storytelling. Students will be taught
sufficient basics to contribute to the work of their team in work in producing distinct web presentations. Students will also be evaluated for professionalism and initiative, two vital attributes for effective reporting and teamwork.
The final aspect of the students' evaluation is in citizenship. Students are expected to be respectful of the people and town. Students who receive the highest mark in citizenship are ones who take extraordinary action to become familiar with Cagli and its people.
Because of its setting, students will have a unique opportunity to learn how to access a foreign culture and to acquire practical language skills, rapidly -- using an immersion technique. The ability to assimilate quickly and to hone in on another culture’s values are indispensable tools for anyone preparing for a career in a field where globalization and multi-culturalism are becoming increasingly important. At the micro level, students will learn how “to read” another culture on its own terms -- thereby eliminating cultural bias. At the macro level, students will be ready to become facilitators in the inter-cultural dialogue that the modern world requires.
WHY CAGLI?
Hidden from tourists among the Apennines mountains in the Marche Region of central Italy, Cagli offers a unique opportunity to explore authentic Italian life.
Cagli has a rich history dating back well over 2000 years. Cagli became part of the Roman empire in 295 BC and quickly grew in prominence as a vital stop on the ancient Via Flaminia, one of Rome’s earliest and most important roads. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cagli’s strategic location made it a popular staging ground for battles. In 1287, the city was destroyed by fire in a battle among noble Italian families but was rebuilt two years later under orders from Pope Nicholas IV. It then would be held by various noble families until it was incorporated into the Papal States in the 17th Century and eventually part of the united Italy in 1860.
Though its history is apparent throughout the town, Cagli boasts a rich modern social scene, summer concerts and festivals, and one of the region’s most beautiful theaters. The town also has a hospital, dentists, a gymnasium, grocery stores and several outdoor cafés and restaurants.
Despite its relative seclusion, Cagli is accessible to most larger cities through the bus depot, which includes service twice daily to Rome -- three hours away. Students can take advantage of regular service throughout the day to local cities like Gubbio, Urbino, and the beach town of Fano on the Adriatic Coast.
Cagli is home to over 10,000 citizens, most of whom live outside the main city center. It is a small, quiet town that has many stories to tell. Your job is to find those stories, whether it be about the people, cuisine and culture, businesses, institutions, etc
PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
Class Meetings:
Here is where you will get two weeks of intense instruction in the tools you will need to meet the program’s objective of creating a Web documentary on Cagli. Students who miss a class meeting cannot earn a HP grade for that module. Homework and class participation is mandatory.
Open Desks:
When the class modules are over, there will be Open Desks for each module in the afternoons of the second, third and fourth weeks of the program. Faculty will be available for conferences, guidance and approving your work to go on to the next phase.
Copy Desk:
This desk must approve all written components of the Web documentary before being passed on to the design phase. The desk is open only during week four, in both the morning and the afternoons, by appointment. The student will sit by the copy editor to observe and learn from the process and follow up in any way the copy editor deems appropriate for this late stage of the project. Unapproved stories will not appear in the Web documentary.
Field Work:
An allotted time in the morning or afternoon of each day during weeks two, three and four is reserved for Field Work. This is the time when the writer on a story goes out with an interpreter to conduct the interviews necessary to writing the story. The photographer and videographer on the particular story should go at least to the first meeting, but independent follow-up visits can be done to do pictures and videos. The Web designer for the story need not go on the interviews.
Open Lab:
This is time when the labs are open for students to do their work, usually in the afternoons and evenings. Students with their own laptops should do all their writing outside the lab, then download it on your team’s computer in the lab. More complicated work like video editing and design should be done in the lab under the knowledgeable eyes of the teaching assistants or faculty. Each team is assigned its own computer, digital camera and video camera. You are not to borrow another team’s equipment. All equipment is to be used for project activities only.
MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION:
Expect that there will be frequent changes of procedure and schedule to adjust to changing situations. It is the responsibility of all students and faculty to check the “Announcements” Board daily to make note of these changes.
The faculty and teaching assistants will meet weekly to assess how the units and individual students are doing, both on and off the job, and make any necessary adjustments. Information regarding group meetings and assignments will be announced at the beginning of classes or posted on the bulletin board, so please check for these regularly.
All faculty will have international or Italian cell phones. A list of faculty and student cell phone numbers will be distributed.
SCHEDULE:
Each week is a full four-day schedule. In general, students can expect to have scheduled activities from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. (with one hour provided for lunch). The remainder of the daily schedule will include time for Field Work and Open Lab hours. Free time during the work week and on weekends is available to students provided they are keeping up with their work.
In Week I, the students will be put through a communications "boot camp," where they will learn all the tools needed to complete their projects. Students will meet in one-, two- or three-hour classes to learn the techniques involved in each module.
In Week II and III, students will shift into the field work phase, with continued study in Intercultural communication and language/culture. By the start of Week II, students will begin working on their approved story idea, as well as the photo, video and Web design for their colleagues. As work is completed, they will begin to meet with the faculty in the Open Desk setting.
In Week IV, students should have completed the bulk of their field work and be putting the finishing touches on their projects. At this stage, the copy desk will be open to edit and approve all copy for factual correctness, editorial style and cultural sensitivity. Final approval for all content is needed by Friday at noon.
ORGANIZATION:
Students will be divided into four-person production teams and will be assigned duties for each other’s stories on a rotating basis. A supervising producer will be designated for each production team from among the teaching assistants, who are individuals that have distinguished themselves in previous ieiMedia programs.
Every team will have a designated iBook computer in the lab as well as designated video cameras and digital still cameras. Teams cannot use another team’s equipment. Therefore, it is imperative that students work to meet deadlines so that members can each devote appropriate time to their appointed task for each story.
LIFE IN CAGLI:
You will fall in love with Cagli as soon as you get there, but you’ll find that it’s not quite like home. Here are some important factoids about Cagli and Italian life that you should know.
Dining: Breakfast In Italy, it is customary to have a coffee (such as a cappuccino or latte) or juice and a pastry for breakfast. Italians rarely have what we would call a 'full breakfast'. Often times, a Panini with meat and cheese is also available early in the morning. Traditional American breakfasts of eggs and bacon is something that can be made at home.
Dining: Lunch
Lunch is the main meal for Italians, and the town shuts down at about 1 p.m. except for the restaurants. If you’re looking for a quick meal, you will find panini on the menu or in the display case at most of the cafes and restaurants. If you eat at the bar, you will usually pay less than if you are seated at a table. Although some of the Italian store owners in Cagli have become accustomed to the American students’ ways, most cafe patrons pay after the meal is over. If you have time, though, you could also enjoy a more traditional Italian lunch that might be several courses long. Or you can prepare your meal in your apartment.
Dining: Dinner
Most Italians eat a light meal later in the evening, but after a full day of work you’ll probably be hungry for more. Don’t worry, the restaurants are all open and happy to serve our students. Start by sharing an appetizer (antipasto) with a friend, or have one for yourself. You could order a salad, mozzarella or even french fries (patate fritte) at a few restaurants. Then you could order a pasta or pizza, or try some of the great meat and fish dishes. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you save room for some gelato on the piazza later in the evening.
Dining: General
The food is great, but if you asked past students for a complaint, they might tell you that variety is slim. Of course, this is not the United States, and you won’t find fast food or ethnic food in Cagli. In the larger cities such as Pesaro and Fano, it’s a bit easier to find some different fare. But have an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try some unusual items. You won’t regret it.
There are several restaurants in Cagli where you can get a great meal. In fact, new restaurants have opened each year since we started coming to the town. The most popular spots for dinner last year were Squaqua, La Lanterna and Ristorante del Commercio. For lunch, you can get some great Panini at “the Wine Bar” (Caffe del Corso), Caffe D’Italia or Caffe del Teatro. For the vegetarians, there is a great macrobiotic restaurant in town where you can get a very healthy, three-course meal for only a few Euro. If you’re really craving Chinese food, there is a great restaurant in nearby Fano, but for McDonald’s and Burger King, you’ll have to travel to the bigger cities like Venice and Florence. Senigallia and Rimini also have lots of American style fast food, and you can find “hamburger joints” in Fano and Pesaro, but expect to pay more than in the states. An example is Hops at the Auchan shopping center in Fano. Here you can get burgers, shakes, sundaes and New York cheesecake, but it is very pricey. For Italians, meals are a time to sit, relax and, most of all, talk. Don’t expect food to be dished out quick, and don’t be surprised if you get some looks when you eat on the go.
Groceries:
You can find most of the essentials you’ll need from food to shampoo at the Sidis supermarket on Via Flamminia. It is open all day except during lunch and is easy to navigate. There are also several smaller specialty shops for fruit, vegetable, meat and fish throughout the town, as well as some small mom-and-pop stores that sell a variety of domestic items.
La Pausa:
From 1 and 4 p.m. you’ll find most of the stores in Cagli are closed. Since lunch is the main meal for Italians, most have gone home to eat and rest before returning to work. Restaurants and cafés usually stay open. After 4, stores remain open until 7 or 8 p.m.
Piazza Matteoti:
The piazza is the gathering spot at the center of town. The city hall, main cathedral and several cafes and shops are located here. You’ll find many of Cagli’s older men seated on the walls of the City Hall, keeping watch on the town and catching up on gossip. There is an old fountain at the center for decoration, so don’t dive in. Many of the town’s bigger festivals are located here, including the June 2 “Festa della Repubblica” (Italy’s version of the Fourth of July) and the Feast of Corpus Christi in late June.
Wednesday Market:
Since there are no department stores, most of the Cagliese do their shopping on Wednesday at the open air market, which stretches from the Torrione to the Piazza. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon, and you can find vendors of all kinds. Though the items may have price tags, you can usually bargain your way down.
Mail:
An address where family can send packages will be distributed prior to departure. International air mail takes 7 to 10 days for delivery. Postcards take longer. So, tell your parents not to send anything after the second week. If family or friends send you packages by mail or courier please tell them to mark them as gifts when completing the documentation prior to mailing or shipping to avoid paying customs taxes on the goods. Also, if the packages are insured for more than $75, expect the goods to be assessed for customs taxes even if the package is marked "gift".
Internet Communication:
Internet service will be available to students as part of the Cagli Project. Students can also access the Internet at a computer store located in New Cagli at an hourly rate. The owner offers a discount to ieiMedia students and is willing to help students with any technology needs. The program’s Internet access is primarily for administrative use.
Leisure Activities:
Hiking: There are lots of hiking trails around Cagli and into the surrounding mountains. Just outside the city you will find a waterfall, a popular destination for students each year. Students would swim in the very clean river, and a few brave souls also did some cliff diving. A handful of students also did an overnight camping trip on the peak of Monte Petrano.
Medical Insurance:
You need to have your parents check to see whether you are covered in a foreign country and what the procedures are for getting reimbursed. Health insurance is necessary, but often you can get “short-term” coverage under your parent’s policy.
There is socialized medicine, but as a foreigner you will not be covered and private medical care is expensive. Cagli has a hospital and doctors, including some specialists should you need them. Students with special medical conditions should advise the Director prior to departure. Special visiting hours will be set up for students at the offices of the local doctors.
Drugs – Illegal
Italy is particularly strict about the use of illegal drugs. It is considered wholly unacceptable, and the criminal penalties are severe. Anyone caught possessing or using illegal drugs is highly likely to be sent home immediately. Most often, the police will put the offender on the next plane home, and parents will have to pay the fee. In a small town like Cagli, word of drug use gets around quickly, and the expense will be twice what it usually is. Don’t do it.
Drugs – Legal
Alcohol, especially wine, is readily available and legal; however, getting intoxicated publicly is a significant taboo in Italy and especially in a small village such as Cagli and is therefore obviously frowned upon. Please be conscious that as a group we are all guests and any negative publicity garnered to any one student or group of students would reflect badly on the entire program.
Prescription drugs should be in their original containers. You may also want to bring copies of all prescriptions you take. Be sure the generic name is listed so that if Italian forms are different you can get the medicine. If the drug has no generic name, then the brand should be available. Also, always pack your prescriptions in your carry on, just in case your checked luggage gets lost.
What to pack:
Heightened security measures at America’s airports mean that it is critical that you do your best to be prudent when packing. Generally, one large suitcase, a smaller travel bag and a carry on bag is more than enough. Toiletries should be placed in all checked luggage, especially metallic objects like razors and nail clippers.
The weather will most likely be warm but still a bit cooler than we experience during summer in the Mid-Atlantic but with less humidity. It also tends to get very cool at night, so pack a sweatshirt or two. While in Cagli you should do your best to blend in, so avoid bringing too many designer labels. Though Italians are fashionable, they typically wear plain clothing, especially jeans (no matter how hot it is). Last year there were occasional afternoon thunderstorms, so an umbrella may be nice to have, though the climate is otherwise dry. Also be sure to pack a bathing suit and towel for your river swimming and beach days. You will pay handsomely for them if you forget!
Most streets in Cagli and even in larger cities are made of cobblestone, and you will probably be doing a lot of walking. You should bring a very comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers, especially when touring cities. Sandals are fine for everyday activity in Cagli, but flip-flops are useless except for the beach.
If you bring a film camera, you are advised to purchase film in America to save money. There is a photography store in Cagli should you run out. When coming to Italy, film can be packed in your luggage, but when returning place all film in your carry on to avoid losing all your pictures to the X-ray machines!
Every apartment will need an alarm clock to get to class on time, preferably a battery operated one to avoid problems with outlets. Students should purchase European voltage adapters (which are different from British adapters) if they plan on bringing any appliances. In addition, you will also need a power converter so that European current won’t fry your electronics. Most laptops have built-in converters. Women will want to bring hair dryers since you are not guaranteed to have one in your apartments
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Surely you now have some of the same questions that previous participants have had. The following are some of the most common questions we are asked about the program.
How much money will I need?
This of course depends entirely on the individual, but on average students last year spent about $1,500 (including travel, gifts, jewelry, perfume and other fashion items) over the duration of the trip. There are many variables that will dictate how (in)expensive this trip may be, starting with the exchange rate. Last year it was about $1.29 to €1, and it appears that with the slumping dollar it will be slightly higher this year. Check out xe.com for the latest currency conversions. Other factors will be hotel costs outside of Cagli, souvenirs and nightlife. While in Cagli, you can expect your expenses for food, drink and supplies to be roughly comparable to what you spend weekly on campus at home. A frugal student should plan on spending $100 per week in Cagli and about $350 per weekend traveling outside of Cagli.
Larger meals of two or three courses will cost about €15, while lunch panini are much cheaper (€2-€5). Gelato or a cappuccino is about €2. In Italy, tips are generally not accepted, though you may be levied service charges in some of the large cities.
Otherwise, even with the exchange rate, most items are less expensive in Cagli compared to major american cities. Of course, prices are higher in the large cities, but a thrifty tourist can find some great deals. With souvenirs, you will find more reasonable prices in shops than from street vendors, though you may be able to bargain with some. Some main attractions are free, while others charge for admittance. Some museums offer student discounts; so bring your college ID.
Should I bring traveler’s checks?
It is always a good idea to have some money in traveler’s checks, and you can cash them in Rome and other large cities. But if you have an ATM or Visa Bank card, you should be able to withdraw cash almost anywhere for only a small fee, depending on your bank. For instance, Wachovia customers can use their ATM cards almost everywhere, and you’ll pay just €1 in fees, less than some charges in the U.S.! It is cheaper to get euros through an ATM than exchange dollars at a bank, hotel desk or a Cambio (a foreign exchange store).
When changing money in a bank or at the post office, there is generally a flat commission charge. This means that whether you change $50 or $500, you will be charged the same commission. Some banks may charge the commission on a percentage basis. In Cagli there are several banks, however the post office generally has excellent exchange rates. You can also receive money through Western Union at the local banks, and you do not need to have an account to receive money.
Do the Cagliese speak English?
In the larger cities, you will find that many people speak English. Cagli, since it is away from tourists, is not quite as accessible. Outside of a few Cagliese, you will have to try your best to learn Italian to get by. It may actually be easier to try your hand at Spanish or French than to speak English. Fortunately, the Cagliese are extremely friendly and patient and will try to accommodate students as best they can. You will be learning Italian quickly, and don’t be afraid to use it. They will appreciate your effort to blend in.
Is Cagli safe?
Cagli is extremely safe. You don’t have to worry about being pick-pocketed, burglarized or attacked. Of course, you should always be safe, travel in groups and lock your doors. Outside of Cagli, you should be very wary of your surroundings at all times. Be careful of your belongings, carry your money in front pockets and leave your valuables like your passport with the front desk at your hotel.
Is it hard to get around?
The main part of Cagli is about as big as a mid-sized college campus and is set up like a grid around the main Piazza. No site in Cagli is more than a 15 minute walk from the Piazza, and this year all students will be housed in Old Cagli.
What if I want to extend my stay?
Don’t let your experience of Italy and with the program end when the program does! While in Italy, students are encouraged to take advantage of their time abroad and plan extended trips within Italy or throughout Europe. Cagli is a three-hour bus ride from Rome from which travel all over Italy and to every country is possible. If you choose to stay in Cagli, you may ask for an extended rental in Cagli for an additional fee (about $100). This might be worthwhile even just to store luggage while you backpack elsewhere.
If you are interested in staying in Cagli, here is a list of local hotels, all within 10 minutes of Piazza.
HOTEL PINETA
V.le della Vittoria 15
Phone: 0721 787387 Fax: 0721 787639
INTERNATIONAL CAGLI HOTEL -- RISTORANTE “TRE POZZI”
Via Civita 5
Phone: 0721 782999 Fax: 339 8490050
Agriturismo:
CASALE TORRE DEL SASSI
http://www.ware.it/Agritour/Marche/Pesaro/TorredelSasso/eindex.htm
Suggested Travel Locations:
Don’t be limited to the major cities. As you will see in your time in Cagli, smaller cities have much to offer, especially in Italy.
• Gubbio is a medieval town just outside Cagli and is 45 minutes from Perugia, a college town.
• Amalfi Coast: Popular for a reason: It’s beautiful. Take a train from Rome to Naples and then a connecting train to Sorrento. From there you can also take day trips to Capri and Pompeii. Stay in the Hotel Tirrenia, which overlooks the Bay of Naples and is very affordable
• Urbino: If you want to visit a typical Italian university town, this is the place. Built at the top of a mountain, escalators take visitors to the top. But go early in your stay because classes may not be in session later.
Biggest suggestion:
Be very open to the experience. The Cagliese are extremely friendly and will help make sure you have a good time. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Most of all, be respectful and appreciate the experience.
IN CASE YOU MISS THE BUS THE GROUP BUS TO CAGLI:
When you arrive at Rome Fumincino airport:
From the airport’s arrival gate, follow signs to Stazione/Railway Station. Buy your ticket from a machine or at the Bigllietteria Office (9.50 Euros last year). (You might be able to buy a ticket all the way to Fossato di Vico, but you would still need to change trains in Rome.) The machine or agent will take credit cards. Trains leave twice an hour to Rome’s central terminal station. Travel time is about 30 minutes. Make sure you board the train that says “Rome Termini” station and not “Rome Orte” or others. If you haven’t brought EUROS with you, you may want to get some EUROS from a cash machine at the airport or station.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once you buy your ticket, you MUST have it Validated (stamped). Look for small yellow box/machines as you go to your track/binario and insert your ticket for stamping. The same will be true in Rome. You could possibly get fined for using an unvalidated ticket
At Rome Termini go to a ticket window or machine. Rome Termini is very large and can be quite busy. The ticket windows and machines are in the front of the station. When you get off the train from the airport it can take 5 minutes or so to get to the front where the ticket machines and windows are located. There will be people who offer to help you with your luggage, get a taxi or guide you to a hotel room; just ignore them and proceed to ticketing. The lines at the windows can be long, but don’t worry. If you have a credit card the machine can work for you in English. In any regard you will want to buy a 2nd class ticket from Rome Termini to Fossato di Vico/Gubbio. It is on the Ancona run. Look at it on a map so you know here you are trying to get to
Trains board about 10 minutes before departure. Make sure you are on the right track and are boarding the car number indicated on your ticket and of the right class. There will probably be some kind of light food service available on the train to purchase if you have euros.
Hopefully you will have a cell phone so you can call from Rome or on the train to tell the time you expect to arrive in Fossato di Vico. Otherwise you will have to use a pay phone in Fossato. If by then you do not have our Italian cell numbers, you can call our American cells: Dr. Caputo at 509-220-5582 or Prof Ciofalo at 410-382-7300. If you have trouble making this call, have someone from the states call us.
In Rome you board a train going toward Ancona that will make several stops and yours will be Fossato di Vico. It is a small station so you will only have a few minutes to get you and your bags off. If you let the conductor know your stop he may try to remind you and help. We will pick you up at the station. Try not to sleep through your station. If you miss it, call us from Ancona.
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