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Historical grace… and paperwork

We have been enjoying the work of selecting flooring and lighting for our updated classrooms. These features of course must be complementary to the existing design (e.g., marble doorways) and decorative features, as well as to the historical grace of the building. They also need to stand up to heavy use by our study abroad students and other visitors.

The next steps for us are very paperwork heavy! We are submitting designs for the 3rd floor work to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage for approval, as all plans must maintain the history and prestige of the building. And finally, our fire safety consultant will be submitting our fire safety plans to the local fire department next week to ensure that all plans meet or exceed fire safety regulations.

Beyond the scope of the UW renovation project, but certainly impacting our space and the palazzo overall of course, the building owners have just completed some work on the facade of the Pio. The scaffolding has come down, and the façade facing Campo de’ Fiori is now a beautiful light brown stucco contrasted against marble inlay. Here’s a picture so that you can see what it looks like. We hope you can come and see it in person soon!

An end to Roman holidays…

Thanks for checking in with us! September and the promise of fall weather brings renewed energy to the construction process.

In July, workers were diverted to tackle some emergency repairs on the roof. August holidays meant that we took a break from construction work for a few weeks. Our team of workers is now back from vacation, rested and ready to go! 

Despite the brief setback with the roof, we have made some good progress. The demolition phase of the project is done, and the electrical and HVAC projects are also complete. To get ready for the next phase of construction, the UWRC team has further adjusted the classroom, office and common spaces currently being used by visiting students and faculty so that construction workers have the access they need to begin their next projects. Renovations have begun in the common areas, including replacement of the skylight in the main staircase. 

We wanted to share some photos here from the Foster Rome program to give you a taste 😉 of what some of our UW students were up to on summer faculty-led study abroad programs.

As usual, the students spent much of their time engaging with the city of Rome and beyond, including a visit to a local olive oil factory (you may have sampled their delicious produce if you buy your EVOO at Costco!). Through this visit, students gained deeper understanding of global supply chain logistics. In other words, what does it take to get products from field to factory to your local store?

The students did not escape classroom time altogether, though. Lectures and group work back at the UWRC helped put their observations into context. 

If you’d like to learn more about the UWRC renovation, we hope you can make it to the first-ever UW Rome Center Distinguished Lecture on Friday, November 15th in Kane Hall on the UW campus in Seattle. It’s going to be a fantastic evening, hosted by Seattle chef and UWRC alumna Renee Erickson.

Professor Alain Gowing will give his fascinating history talk, Ghosts of the Palazzo Pio, with tons of fun history on our historic home. Afterwards, Professor Steve Muench – who is in Rome right now leading his amazing faculty-led program – will give an update on the renovations.

 

 

Lighting, tiles, AV and more

image4Work on the 1st floor continues, with reinforcement of the floors and fire safety measures having been the top priority thus far. A complete overhaul of the HVAC system is also underway to ensure adequate cooling during our hot Roman summers and heating in our chillier months.

We have also been working with Targetti, a premier technical and architectural lighting company with a long history of lighting in Italy. image3Targetti is designing functional and beautiful lighting solutions for our classrooms, grand conference room, and new exhibit space. The exhibit space is an interesting challenge as it features a centuries-old fresco depicting Juno, Aeolus, god of the winds, and the nymph Deiopea.

Plans for educational technology in all classrooms have also been finalized. Our renovated classrooms and seminar rooms will offer new AV equipment. image5We are also adding a computer kiosk in hallway leading to the conference room will for use by students and conference attendees alike. New tiles for the classrooms, exhibit space, waiting area, kitchenette, and bathrooms will soon be selected, too.

The first phase of this project is on target to be completed by December 2019. Stay tuned for more updates!

Contractors break ground — or floor, rather — at Palazzo Pio

In January, after many years of planning in coordination with Istituto Tata Giovanni, which owns Palazzo Pio, renovations are now underway at the Renovations underwayUW Rome Center. Staged in three phases, the project includes critical updates to the structure, electrical and mechanical works; important fire safety prevention measures; as well as new lighting, flooring and educational technology. The renovation also maximizes educational space so that future generations of UW students can participate in the transformative experience of study abroad in the heart of Rome.

We are currently engaged in phase 1 of the project. Projects include:

  • Transforming the seminar room into a lovely exhibit space to showcase student work
  • Creating a waiting room area, common-use kitchenette, and new seminar room
  • Installing new bathrooms
  • Reconfiguring a faculty apartment
  • Opening up access to the terrace overlooking Campo de’ Fiori for students and faculty
  • Phases 2 (tentatively scheduled for April 2020 – April 2021) and 3 (tentatively scheduled for September 2021 – July 2022) include similar work, all with an eye for improving the usability of the space for our academic programs, conferences and other educational activities.

Classes and programming are in full swing during the renovation. To make room, we have repurposed and consolidated other spaces, including “the Prow” on the 3rd floor, and the library and computer lab on the 4th floor.

While the work is going on, programming will continue and classes are currently in full swing on the third and fourth floors of the UWRC. We will continue to welcome UW programs throughout all three phases the project, and encourage faculty to come see first-hand the transformation that is underway here in Rome. While some flexibility will be required around classroom assignments, programs scheduled at the UWRC this year will be accommodated in existing classroom space. Programs wishing to come in the future are very much encouraged to submit their applications for next year as well, which are due August 31, 2019 for 2020-21 programs (except Early Fall 2020 programs, for which the application deadline is October 31, 2019).

University of Washington’s 20th Studio Art Program in Rome’s Exhibition

The University of Washington Rome center is happy to announce that it will be hosting the 20th University of Washington Studio Art Program in Rome’s exhibition on December 5th, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

University of Washington Rome Center

Palazzo Pio, 1st and 3rd floor

Piazza del Biscione, 95

SAPR Event

UW Rome Center Instagram Photo Contest

The UWRC encourages you to participate in our May photo contest!

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1. Snap a photo you during your study abroad in Italy
2. Follow @uwromecenter on Instagram
3. Post your photo to Instagram and tag #uwromecenter
4. Win dinner for two (€50 value) at Trattoria Moderna

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UW’s Global Campus Photo Contest Second Place WInner: “Storm in the Forum” by McKenzie Lancaster

Rules: Contest ends May 21st, and the winner will be announced May 22nd. Open to current UWRC students only. The Instagram photo with the most likes wins. Photo must capture a memorable aspect of your study abroad experience, and should inspire others to study abroad. Photo must be drug and alcohol-free, with no nudity or obscenity. Private accounts should be made public during the contest in order to be eligible to win. Photos submitted may be used later for UWRC promotional purposes. Per Instagram rules, we must mention this is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use.

 

Welcoming Our New Interim Resident Director, Amity Neumeister!

 

The UWRC is excited to announce the arrival of our new Interim Resident Director, Amity Neumeister! Amity earned her MBA with an emphasis in general management and ebusiness at the UW Foster School of Business and began working for UW Medicine in 2001. She has served as Assistant Dean in the Office of the Graduate Medical Education in the UW School of Medicine since 2009, overseeing the operations, administration and finance for UW’s 106+ residency and fellowship training programs from the UW Foster School of Business. She also holds a certificate in medical management from the UW School of Public Health. Amity spent a year in Italy during university, studying in Siena at the Universita’ per Stranieri and later lived in Rome. She made her permanent transition to Rome in 2015, continuing to work for the UW School of Medicine remotely. She also owns and teaches at Zem Yoga Studio Roma, a vinyasa-based yoga studio offering lessons in both English and in Italian, located walking distance from the Rome Center.

We are thrilled to have Amity join our team here at the UWRC, and we welcome you to stop by the office and introduce yourself!

IMG-20170425-WA0000(Photo): Amity welcoming participants in the International Business Law Week Conference sponsored by the Swiss School of Management.

 

REMINDER: 2017-2018 Rome Center Intern Application due MARCH 10th

The UWRC is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the next UW Rome Center internship position (internship dates: June 2017 – June 2018).   An application form is attached below. 
 

The application deadline is March 10, 2017.  Interviews will be scheduled and an intern selected by the end of March 2017.

In 2001 the University of Washington established a Rome Center Student Internship position. This position is designed to provide UW students with practical experience working in an office environment, and especially affording them the opportunity for contact with a cultural environment other than their own. This single Internship position is especially suited to a student enrolled at the University of Washington while working on Italian language studies or on other independent study topic which would be enriched by study in Italy. The Rome Center Student Internship position is outlined below.

GENERAL TERMS:
Dates: June 2017 – June 2018
 
-20-hour work week
-Flexible hours; some hours occasionally required outside normal office hours
 
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
-Must be enrolled for study at the UW for duration of internship, with UW faculty member overseeing independent study
 
-Prior participation on a UW Rome-based academic program preferred. -Study abroad registration through UW Study Abroad (for more info contact studyabroad@uw.edu). 
 
WAGES & HOUSING:
-Small studio apartment at Rome Center provided (includes all utilities except phone)
 
-$450 monthly stipend
 
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
-Working knowledge of spoken/written Italian
 
-Good understanding of computer hardware & software
 
-Study visa (long-stay, multiple-entry type) for 1 year
 
Application form (attached)

JOB DUTIES:
-Assists with program arrivals/departures (compiling student data, preparing check-in materials, handling keys and deposits)
-Maintains student and program data (updating databases, generating lists)
 
-Assists staff and faculty (e.g. setting up A/V equipment, preparing classrooms)
 
-Helps students integrate into life in Rome (information source for Rome/Italy related questions, etc)
-Provides library & computer lab assistance (shelving & cataloging library materials, basic IT troubleshooting, etc)
 
-Provides general office assistance (errands, filing, distributing mail, photocopying, etc.)
 
-Performs other tasks as assigned
Below is the application. Please copy to a word document and sent to sbrandal@uw.edu  

APPLICATION

Student Information (all fields must be filled in)

NAME:

UW MAJOR/DEPARTMENT:

ROME PROGRAM ON WHICH YOU PARTICIPATED:

STUDENT STATUS (graduate/undergraduate):

PROJECTED DATE OF DEGREE COMPLETION:

UW STUDENT NUMBER:

SKYPE NAME:

LOCAL U.S. OR CAMPUS ADDRESS:

LOCAL PHONE:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

Please respond to the questions below.

ACADEMIC STANDING:

The UW Rome Center Student Internship position requires that you be enrolled at the University of Washington for the duration of your internship. Describe what you will be studying while in Rome (for example: thesis credits, dissertation credits or independent study), as well as how you plan to carry out your research. Indicate through which UW department you will be earning credits and which faculty member will be supervising your study.

EXPERIENCE:

The UW Rome Center Student Internship Job Description (above) indicates the varied nature of duties associated with this position. Indicate any experience (educational, work, computer, related interests, travel, etc.) that you feel qualifies you for this position.

LANGUAGE:

The UW Rome Center Student Internship position does not require a proficient Italian speaker, but knowledge of spoken and written Italian is necessary (answering phone, reading/writing basic documents). Describe how much Italian you have studied, where you have studied it, and indicate to what degree you feel comfortable speaking, reading, writing and translating Italian.

FINANCIAL:

Please think carefully about what living in Rome for a year will cost. The cost of living is not inexpensive, and the Student Internship position offers only a modest stipend. Give a general indication of how you plan to support yourself while in Rome, providing an approximate budget of monthly living expenses and how you will meet them. Take into consideration Rome expenses such as food, telephone, travel, clothing, entertainment as well as other personal expenses and U.S. obligations (loans, credit card payments, etc.).

RECOMMENDATION:

We request two recommendations from UW faculty members. These should be faculty members who know you well enough to comment on your suitability for the job and for living/working on your own for a full year abroad. At least one should address your Italian language ability. Recommendations (brief and informal email is fine) should be sent to Sheryl Brandalik (sbrandal@uw.edu).

OTHER:

Please briefly describe why you are interested in the position.

Feel free to add any other information that you feel may be of assistance to us in evaluating you as a candidate.

 

JSIS NATO Forum Project & Pompeii Visit

This quarter, the JSIS study abroad program is working on a NATO forum project, and their most recent workshop was chaired by guest Lone Kjelgaard, a Senior Legal Advisor at NATO Headquarters. They also recently took a class field trip to Pompeii. Below are some photos taken during their NATO forum workshop and Pompeii trip.

JSIS 7

JSIS 6

JSIS 8

JSIS 5

JSIS 2

JSIS 3

JSIS 1

 

University of Washington Communications Cooking Class in Rome

Last week the Communications program participated in a cooking class, and students highlighted this experience as one of their favorites so far! Below are some excerpts and photos which students shared about making the fabulous 4 course Italian meal from scratch.

Group photo

“Last week, I was given the opportunity to learn how to make homemade pasta. My peers and I went to a cooking school called Cooking Classes in Rome where we learned how to make Roman-style artichokes, gnocchi and fettuccine with ragu Bolognese, and traditional tiramisu.” -Katherine Gleason

3 courses

The kitchen looked like it came straight out of a Food Network magazine, it was covered in stainless steel with dried herbs hanging near the ceiling and a large table completely covered with all the ingredients we needed.The best part however, was not the simply scrumptious tiramisu or the perfectly steamed artichokes, but the camaraderie that we strengthened with our classmates and with our professors. It was the understanding we formed about the history and significance of the food we created that made the food even more special. Moments like these make me appreciate having been selected to participate in this study abroad program.” -Kristin Lee

ArtichokesKristin Lee

Someone was rolling the dough through a mechanism to make the dough thinner and smoother. Once it was smooth it was transferred to a pasta guitar. That is the actual name of the contraption. It is quite easy to operate. All you do is roll the already thin dough until it is level with the wires, and then you pluck the strings. The pasta falls right down.” -Lyndsey Brollini

Rolling pasta

Pasta process

Studying abroad is all about trying new things and moving out of your comfort zone, so I did and I loved it.” -Ashley Brooke

Fresh ArtichokesFresh ingredients