Thanks to a long-standing partnership with the Vergilian Society, three Washington DC-area high schools and an Italian high school have enjoyed a unique opportunity to participate in an international exchange program between the United States and Italy. Four boys from the Landon School (DC) and seven girls from both Holton-Arms (DC) and Madeira Schools traded places and study experiences with six boys and eight girls from Liceo Virgilio in Pozzuoli, Italy. In addition, four teachers from the US schools and two teachers, the headmistress of Liceo Virgilio attended, were guided by the deep regional experience of Mina Sgarliglia, based at the Villa Vergiliana.

 

Under this program, each US and Italian delegations returned the hospitality of their hosts at two different stages of travel during the school year. During the first stage, the American delegation spent one week (29 June-7 July 2011) based in the Villa Vergiliana; in the second stage, the delegation from Pozzuoli traveled to the Washington DC area for another week (23-29 October 2011).

 

The Italian students and host families from Pozzuoli opened the exchange with a special reception when the Americans arrived. This reception was hosted at the Villa, where the Study Center for the Vergilian Society is based. There, the American students began introductory studies about the history of the region, about the poet, Vergil whom this region celebrates, and about Vergil's renowned literary works. The Vergilian Society's historic residence houses the Library of the Villa, whose specialized scholarly volumes were at the disposal of the students and their teaching mentors. Outside the Villa, the Liceo Virgilio offered its teaching facilities and seminars at its academy. The American students also enjoyed guided tours of the principal attractions of the nearby region, the Phlegraean Fields and its many historical and archaeological riches at sites such as Cumae, Pozzuoli, Baia, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples and the island of Ischia.

 

In early July, prior to their return or departure to the United States, all students, teachers and chaperones attended a Closing Symposium at the Villa. This event included James Rodriguez, Public Affairs Officer, Public Affairs Section U.S. Consulate General Naples and the Mayor of Pozzuoli, Agostino Magliulo, who was a representative of the local Italian community. But that Closing Symposium was not the true capstone of the exchange: finally, in October 2011, the Italian delegation traveled to Washington DC. In the capital city, the Italian students took part in informative lectures, sporting events and classes hosted by Landon, Holton-Arms and Madeira Schools. When students were not in classes, they were touring numerous attractions such as Arlington Cemetery, the White House, Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Museums, and the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials on the Capitol Mall.

 

Both the Italian liceo and the American schools made an application to the Villa in order to participate in the exchange. Regarding costs to students and families for the 2011 academic year, participants paid for A. one student Vergilian Society membership; B. the cost of round-trip airfare; and C. health insurance if not otherwise covered; in addition, D. one institutional Vergilian Society membership was paid per participating school, both American and Italian. On top of the cost of airfare, then, the fee to each student was approximately $50 US (≈ € 36 at the time of this printing), and to each participating school $150 (≈ € 108 at the time of this printing).

 

For the academic year 2012, additional fees for the American cohort are projected for one week's lodging at the Villa at full room and board as part of the experience in Campania. The Villa Vergiliana estimates a very reasonable daily rate for food and lodging to be approximately $64 per diem ((≈ € 46 per diem). Given economic changes, of course, these quotations are merely estimates and are subject to change.

 

 

Please feel welcome to write me with further questions at camatteo@mac.com.