St. Thomas’ Bernardi campus in Rome welcomed its first group of non-Catholic Studies students at the beginning of September, marking the start of the CORE Semester program.
The new program was announced last year in an effort to draw more students to the campus by offering classes that meet core requirements. Prior to this year, the Bernardi campus only housed Catholic Studies. With the changes, CORE is now offered to students in the fall, and the Catholic Studies program will only be offered in the spring.
There are currently 17 students on the CORE Semester and 15 St. John Vianney seminarians at the Irish College, said Sarah Huesing, assistant director of the Office of Study Abroad. The seminarians, who lived at Bernardi in the past, now live at the Pontifical Irish College during both fall and spring terms.
Junior Abbey Hutchins is one student who took advantage of the Rome CORE Semester.
“When the opportunity to spend three and a half months in Rome surfaced, I knew that it was where I wanted to study abroad,” Hutchins said. “When I heard of the CORE Semester, it was as if everything I was looking for in a study abroad program was handed to me on a platter.”
The CORE Semester offers students the opportunity to take classes like history, theology and philosophy, all part of St. Thomas’ core curriculum requirements, in the history-rich city of Rome. Students are also required to take an introductory Italian class to learn more about the country’s language and culture.
Junior Peter Carey, for example, is taking courses on global Christianity, modern history, Roman art and archaeology plus his Italian class. Carey said one of his favorite parts about completing required classes like art history in Rome is being able to go out and see the sights he is learning about.
“Art history isn’t a class I was looking forward to, but being able to walk home from class and see examples of what we are learning about keeps me engaged and interested,” Carey said.
The program fee does not include personal travel expenses or meals. Only a daily breakfast and weekly Sunday dinner are provided to students.
“On Sundays we have family dinners, which are prepared for us by a chef at our residence and include homemade Italian desserts,” said sophomore Abbey Luckraft.
When the students aren’t gathering for Sunday dinners, they are often taking advantage of the Italian culture and cuisine.
“I spend most of my money on food and travel. Knowing how much food contributes to the culture of Rome has encouraged me to always try new foods while exploring the city,” Luckraft said. “Traveling to other parts of Italy and Europe has also been a goal of mine in order to make the most of my time abroad.”
Hutchins is looking forward to exploring Rome throughout the whole semester.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, therefore you can’t see Rome in a day,” Hutchins said.
Lydia Lockwood can be reached at lock0052@stthomas.edu