Category: [student experience]

Trip to Siena

The second pre-planned trip for the Volterra-Detroit students was to Siena. A medieval city in Tuscany that is known for its famous Palio run in its central piazza Il Campo. The Palio run is a horse race around the piazza that happens twice every summer. The trip to Siena was led by the students, who each chose a historical monument...

Trip to Pisa

As part of the Italy study abroad trip, students participate in pre-planned trips to a few famous and historical cities throughout Italy. The first trip is in Pisa, giving students a chance to explore the historical city and experience the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The trip included tickets into the Pisa Baptistry and Cathedral, as well as time to...

Alabaster

One of the classes included in the Volterra-Detroit Study Abroad Program is studying the craft of alabaster. Alabaster is a soft, white, mineral rock used for carvings. Since the Etruscan period, the people of Volterra have mined alabaster from the hillside. The alabaster was prized for its durability, beautiful coloration, and luminous properties when shined into the light. It has been...