10  What our students say about us
          (since 1986)

"… The activities offered to the students by the school are prepared with great care. The teaching method used for the teaching of the Italian language had great effect with the small classes, and a lot of time was dedicated to conversation. The teachers were all good and enthusiastic and both students and teachers became friends quickly and naturally.
… what is also unusual about the Centro Studi Italiani is the integration in the teaching programme with culture, regional history, and excursions. And perhaps the opportunity of learning traditional local handicrafts in the artisan's own workshop is unique…".
Prof. John Poynter (Australia)

"… It will be a great pleasure for me to be able to tell my Finnish friends and the members of the Dante Alighieri Society what a wonderful world I found here in Urbania! The Marches fascinate me, the countryside is so beautiful: the scented lime trees, the bright yellow broom and the fields of sunflowers, the huge magnolias… The family whose flat I stayed in has been most kind. Immediately, the first evening they took me on a trip around Urbania and then invited me to dinner and so I was able to talk right away with the local people.
Here, in the land of Raphael and Bramante, one finds the ideal atmosphere for studying Italian. At the Centro Studi Italiani, housed in a magnificient Renaissance building, one feels like a member of one big family, and this is thanks to the exceptional director, prof. Carlo Pasotto, and all his excellent teachers and collaborators.
I have also appreciated the possibility of making friends with other students from all over the world - from Argentina to Australia. A great thank you to everyone for these unforgettable weeks here in Urbania".
Riitta Lauslahti (Finland)

"… The Centro Studi Italiani is a good school, with a good atmosphere and an excellent teaching method. The teachers are all so professional. My teacher was really excellent. I have already studied four foreign languages but I have never had such a good teacher as I have had here. The house where I stayed, recommended by the school, was beautiful…".
Prof. Hans Brant (Holland)

"… In Urbania I have discovered a marvellous town! The inhabitants are really so hospitable. My family made me so welcome and I've loved staying with them. At the school, all the teachers are excellent and so friendly. They explain everything so clearly… In Urbania there is always something different to do… Here it is really possible to experience an authentic way of Italian life that no one can ever forget".
Véronique Morico (France)

"… I think that Urbania is perfect for an Italian course for foreigners. I do not feel as though I'm drowning in a sea of foreign voices, as I'm sure I would in a big city like Rome or Florence. The town is small, "a misura d'uomo", no one feels lost, it's so easy to settle in. The shopkeepers always have time to stop and have a chat… I had an excellent impression of the school right from the first morning. The director and his staff were so welcoming but without wasting time before getting down to work… the courses are so carefully planned and above all the teachers really know how to teach! I have never learnt so much in such a short time. I like Urbania so much, I don't want to leave!".
Maura Clancy (Ireland)

"A school for foreigners in Urbania is an excellent idea! The combination of language, culture and handicrafts is wonderful and the people of Urbania are so kind and hospitable.
I have been here for a month, a month that has been an unforgettable experience.
I have learnt so much, especially from my excellent teachers…
At the school everyone works so hard to do everything possible for the students…".
Malin Falkman (Sweden)

"Only a few days left and then I have to leave. What a pity! I have enjoyed being here so much and I have learnt a lot in these four weeks. As I have already attended other schools for foreigners, I can compare several Italian courses with those in Urbania, and I have come to this conclusion: not only does one live so well, but I have greatly appreciated the fact that there are never more than 12 students in a class because this gives each one the opportunity to express their opinions and to create interesting discussions. Our teacher was always ready to talk about anything and she has given us an excellent picture of Italian life and culture…".
Lisbeth Stiger (Austria)

"… this is the second time that I have come, and these four weeks seem to have flown by! I was in the advanced class. We were a mixed group, with Americans, French, Austrians, Swedes, Greeks, etc. and our wonderful teacher guided us though the "studio ragionato" of the language in order for us to be able to express ourselves more fluently. The days have been full, busy, interesting and full of life. In the Italian history course our teacher was so expressive and really made us "live" the life of hundreds of years ago - it was like seeing the centuries pass by in a film… then the lessons in musical culture. Before I had never understood Rossini in this way - the classroom seemed to be transformed into a concert hall! How can I thank Prof. Pasotto and his team? I don't know… I can't find the words!".
Henriette Huss (Austria)

"… Here in Urbania I have had the opportunity of seeing how one lives in a small Italian town. Urbania is a town with a big heart, the community is full of life. The teachers, the shopkeepers and the young people are always willing to talk, to help and to laugh. They are happy to make friends with us students.
At the school the classes are small, cordial and lively. One learns a lot, both at school and in one's free time. Culture, entertainment and "allegria" are never lacking!".
Marco Temelini (Canada)

"… the fact that I have come back to do a course in Italian Language and Culture for the second time is proof in itself of the efficiency of the school… The quality of the teaching is first class… The variety of the subjects that one can study, the teachers who are so willing and ready to adapt to each individual student's needs. There is always something new to learn - not only the language but above all more about the life and culture of the country…".
Ursula Klie (Germany)

"… I was persuaded to come here by my Italian literature professor in Germany who told me that the Centro Studi Italiani is the best school in Italy. I enrolled for a two month course and what a wonderful surprise! I had not expected such a lively and pleasant town. Today I have lots of friends in Urbania: the photographer, the greengrocer, the hairdresser and many others - not forgetting all my friends at school, of course, who come from all over the world".
Susanne Bertels (Germany)

"I will always remember the time I have spent here in Urbania with great pleasure. I chose Urbania because it is a small town - the houses are picturesque and the countryside is beautiful. The family where I have stayed have been so kind and the food was delicious!… The school is very well organized and the staff are always willing to help with any problem… I have enjoyed meeting students from all over the world. In my class there was a young Austrian conductor, a Japanese singer and a student from the Masai tribe in Tanzania! Our teacher made every lesson so interesting and there was such a happy atmosphere in the class. He was always encouraging…".
Virginia Britton (England)

"For me, the four week course has been most useful. Everything has been organized perfectly, also the accommodation in Urbania. Here one does not feel one is only a "number". The atmosphere is so pleasant. Above all I have appreciated the constant attention of the director of the director and the teachers, the kindness of the secretarial staff, the cultural evenings and the excursions on Wednesday afternoons".
Max Gazan (Nederlands)

"I think that studying in Urbania during the summer has been an excellent idea.
The organization and seriousness of the school are exceptional. The teachers are all good, kind and friendly. Then Urbania is a small town where it is so easy to make friends with the local people and put into practice immediately what we have learned at school.
The Marche is a beautiful region and the excursions we have been on have all been most interesting.
I think that in four weeks I have learnt a lot of Italian and also a lot about Italian life…
I have enjoyed myself so much, I have met a lot of really interesting people and I would like to repeat this experience again".
Araceli Velasco (Spain)

"… The Centro Studi Italiani has opened a window for me into the wonderful world of the Italian language and culture - a window that I want to leave open in the future!… It seems impossible that these four weeks have passed so quickly… there has been so much to do and study. My teacher was marvellous - always good humoured and full of energy - I couldn't wait for the morning lessons! The three hours passed so quickly…"
Vreni Zeender (Switzerland)

"… The course in Urbania exceeded all my expectations and I think of it as a "tuffo di ritorno nella giovinezza"! There was so much to enjoy - the excellence of the teaching, the beauty of the countryside as well as the art treasures, the company of the foreign students, the personal attention and, not least, living with a delightful family in a wonderful setting…".
Emma de la Praudière (England)

"The school is very well organized and everyone tries to do their best for the students. For example, the size of the classes is just right: not too many students so as to make conversation impossible, but not too small so that the conversation becomes boring. The programme is excellent and I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot in four weeks…
I think that a small town like Urbania is the right place for a language course. There is plenty to do, but also time to study. There are wonderful places to visit, either on foot, by bicycle or by car…
In conclusion: Urbania and the Centro Studi Italiani are places I want to return to!".
Claudia Schuster (Germany)

"Already at the end of the first week I was amazed by all the wonderful new experiences I had… I have learnt a lot and I have entered into more secrets of the Italian language. And I was able to put into practice immediately what I had just learnt. The people of Urbania have been very kind and always ready to help. Everywhere we have had the possibility to talk - the most important thing when you are learning a language. As I am very interested in Italian art I attended the lessons in History of Art and the drawing and painting course and these lessons gave me great satisfaction. Visiting all the interesting places offered by the school I have been able to get to know the region of the Marches and for me this has been a wonderful opportunity. Also the apartment where I stayed needs to be mentioned. I was in a wonderful house in splendid surroundings with an extremely kind family… I felt completely at ease. Now the time is over but I am leaving with a very strong desire to return to Urbania and the Centro Studi Italiani".
Annemarie Kalina (Austria)

"On my return to Belgium I am delighted to be able to tell my family, my friends and the members of the Dante Alighieri Society of Kortrijk what a wonderful enriching experience I had in Urbania.
The history of Urbania, its culture and landscape, together with the kindness of the inhabitants, the friendship among the students, the teachers' competence and your constant attention for all course members have left unforgettable happy memories for me. Thank you for everything. I sincerely hope to return next year".
Jo Van Reyn (Belgium)

"I am writing to thank you for a very rewarding and enjoyable stay at the Centro Studi Italiani in Urbania.
I was most impressed by the standard of tuition and by the professionalism of my teachers.
I really appreciated the warmth, friendliness and hospitality of the local people of Urbania and thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many students of different nationalities.
I very much hope to return to Urbania at some point. In the meantime, my experience in Urbania has made me even more enthusiastic to continue my studies here in Hong Kong!".
Lesley Nichols (Hong Kong, China)

"…I had a wonderful time at the Centro Studi Italiani. It was a thoroughly memorable experience: I enjoyed the course very much indeed and appreciated the very high standard o tuition we received both in the formal lessons in the morning as well as in the conversazione sessions in the afternoon . The course was very organized and I appreciated the way the Centro Studi Italiani arranged accommodation and gave advice to students if we had any problems. I also enjoyed the excursions and extra activities organized to enhance our appreciation of our Italian experience. I have told many people about the Centro Studi Italiani and, as a result, I know that several of my friends are interested in coming to Urbania to study Italian. I hope one day to return to Urbania myself and learn some more…".
Jennifer Simpson, (Australia)

"…My time at the Centro Studi Italiani was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my life thus far! …The school itself was very good. We received all lessons and instructions in Italian… The teachers showed a genuine interest in our development, both in and out of the classroom. In fact, some of the most useful lessons were conducted on the football field or over an espresso in a cafè!… I have learnt a lot about the Italian way of life which has made me look differently upon my own day to day living. It is in small towns like Urbania, away from the tourism and commercialization of the big cities that one really experiences the true Italy…"
Simon Stone (Australia)

Report on the 2001 Walter Mangold Trust Scholarship for Study in Urbania
by Alice Kemp (University of Melbourne, Australia)
"I was immediately struck by the charm of Urbania - an unpretentious town nestled in the hills of the Marches. Narrow cobbled streets opening on to piazzas, old stone buildings with old-fashioned lanterns on every corner, clusters of cats and pigeons... it seemed that little had changed since the Middle Ages.
By contrast to other Italian cities, I quickly began to appreciate the authenticity of Urbania. After every excursion with the school I was always glad to escape the tourists and return to some "real" Italy. Since the town is not overwhelmed with tourists, in being itself it offers a genuine experience of Italian life. The midday siesta when everything closed, the locals sitting outside their apartments savouring the cool of the evening, later playing cards and drinking cold tea, the old men congregated in singlets and shorts in the main piazza, and of course the gelateria as the focal point for the town, the meeting point for everyone and everything.
The school was an international environment which, aside from being interesting to meet so many diverse people and cultures, meant that we were forced to use Italian as the only common language. From the very beginning absolutely everything, from the announcements to the classes themselves, was in Italian. The morning grammar class was well taught and at a good pace and I particularly enjoyed the literature classes in the afternoons. Conversation classes seemed almost superfluous considering that every time you entered a shop or asked for something across the dinner table, you had to do it in Italian. In this light, the entire month was really an extended conversation class. It is certainly an optimum learning environment to be exposed to new grammar and vocabulary in the day and then being forced to put it into practice in the evening.
I know that my Italian has improved immensely, both my comprehension and speaking. Initially it was an effort to understand fluent spoken Italian but by the end I was picking up virtually everything. Often I was pleasantly surprised to realise that I had just understood something in Italian without consciously translating it into English, in fact without even acknowledging that it was in Italian.
I learnt a great deal not only about the language, however, but also about Italian culture in general. In any case, the two are linked - since it is much easier to ask for an aranciata once you know what it tastes like. Now I understand that there is a reason for the specific vocabulary that we learn and why, for example, we learn to talk about stopping at a bar for an espresso or meeting friends at a pasticceria or pizzeria.
The more familiar I have become with the language has only made me the more desirous to improve. It is one matter to know that 15 hours away a group of people are speaking the language in your textbook, but it is so much better to put it into practice. In this way, Italian is transformed from an academic pursuit into a necessity. This taste of Italy has made me determined not only to continue my studies in Australia, but also to return for a longer period on exchange to continue my learning, picking up where I left off in Urbania.
I am very grateful to Mrs Herzenberg for the generous scholarship which made it all possible."