Reflections from an SSA Board Member and mother of alumna

Ponte delle Torri. Just naming this Spoleto landmark built in 1350 AD evokes a smile. Has it really been 10 years since my husband & I traveled to Italy to meet our daughter on her final evening of studying creative writing with Spoleto Study Abroad? I remember our reunion in complete detail. Our daughter had walked up from the convent—her home for 3 weeks—to greet us as we checked into Hotel Gattapone overlooking the Ponte delle Torri. After posing with her father for a few pictures, she escorted us through the narrow alleys of Old Town to a lovely outdoor garden table where she had made dinner reservations at her creative writing instructor’s favorite Spoleto restaurant. Midway through the pasta course, her instructor Dr. Jan Guffin arrived at our table to welcome us to Spoleto.

Tal's husband, Michael, and daughter, Calley, at Ponte delle Torri

This vignette sums up why I continue to support Spoleto Study Abroad. The place, the people, the pasta! A program that offers high school students the opportunity to stretch & soar. In the case of my daughter, to stretch her view of the world & her place in it. And with the encouragement of an incredible instructor and a group of other eager writers, turn what was a childhood hobby —writing stories—into a passion enriched by the backdrop of Umbria as her inspirational canvas.

Please join me in supporting Spoleto Study Abroad—both financially and as an advocate for the program. Better yet, familiarize yourself with Spoleto Study Abroad’s newest launch, MITICI Adventures, and make plans to return to Spoleto and revisit the landmarks you remember from your high school days— such as the Ponte delle Torri. My flight is already booked for June 2022!