UNF students embark on interdisciplinary study abroad experience in Italy

This summer, University of North Florida students embarked on an enriching and inclusive interdisciplinary study abroad experience. The program was led by Dr. Adel ElSafty, Professor of Engineering, and Dr. Katrina Wilard Hall, Associate Professor of Education and Early Childhood. “The study abroad aligns with the university’s mission to create the next generation of thinkers, leaders and problem-solvers with the unique knowledge and experience to positively impact the world,” said Dr. Hall.

The experiential and applied learning experiences were carefully curated in collaboration with Rosella Vasta of Villa Pieve International School. This partnership provided UNF students with the opportunity to examine Italian history and contemporary society through the lens of significant historical structures, architecture and figures. The immersive experience spanned several key locations, including Rome, the Vatican, Assisi, Cortona and Corciano, where students delved into the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Italy.

A highlight of the program was the visit to the Santa Croce Preschool and Montessori International Centre in Perugia. Before the visit, Director Eva Rossi provided the students with essential background information on Dr. Maria Montessori’s groundbreaking research and educational methodologies. This preparation enabled the students to fully appreciate the intricacies of the Montessori approach during their onsite visit. At the Montessori Centre, students observed the intentional integration of beauty, nature and color within the learning environment. They explored materials designed by Dr. Montessori herself and witnessed the restoration efforts in the laboratory classroom. Through observational windows, they watched children engage in learning activities, culminating in a collaborative lesson where music and language teachers used song, story, music and movement to educate the children. The visit concluded with a reflection at the plaza and statue of Dr. Montessori, emphasizing the significance of her work and her message of peace.

“We are appreciative of the graciousness of Director Rossi and of the Montessori teachers for allowing our students this transformational learning experience,” said Dr. Katrina Hall.

The study abroad included meeting Corciano's Assessore Francesco Mangano, a lecture by Physicist Fillipo Vasta on optimization which included AI, visits to a stained-glass studio, history museum and behind-the-scenes tours of historically, culturally and architecturally significant structures. Dr. ElSafty provided mini-lessons and materials to support students' learning as they engaged in-depth discussions with Italian engineers, architects and construction technicians. This was an optimal way to ensure that the engineering students had a basic understanding of the nature of construction, the structural systems (e.g., domes, arches, masonry walls) and construction materials (e.g., unreinforced concrete, bricks, stones, and suspension for seismic retrofit). They were then able to articulate their knowledge to the education students, while education students were able to support their classmates' understanding of Montessori and the intersection of the individual’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive and academic learning, coined “Whole Child." The last day began with a bricklaying challenge, in which interdisciplinary teams, each led by engineering students, co-constructed a brick-and-mortar arch, gaining a deeper appreciation of the artisanship and teamwork required.

During this trip, students increased their knowledge and engaged in discussions with peers from different disciplines. This interdisciplinary interaction allowed them to learn from each other and see the interconnectedness of their fields of study.