TESTIMONIALS
Sabrina
Studying Abroad with the SCIE Center
My experience with the SCIE CENTER was a fantastic experience. I was studying abroad with 19 others and the SCIE center provided wonderful experts in their fields to teach us about the history and culture of Sicily. The SCIE center also coordinated fun activities like a boat tour of Ortygia, and learning how to make the typical Sicilian pasta. Franca, the director for the SCIE center, was a vital component to our success abroad as she went above and beyond to ensure that we had the best experiences touring Sicily. I learned so much about Sicily’s expansive and impressive history and culture with her as our tour guide. We toured Catania, Noto, Taormina, and Western Sicily during our 6-week program with the SCIE center and it was unforgettable!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Going to the Capuchin Catacombs — a monastery where the dead were mummified and are preserved. Seeing this was chilling, but fascinating!
Clarissa
My Sicilian Summer
My first experience abroad was absolutely amazing! The SCIE Center was incredibly helpful in all aspects whether that was coordinating lectures, organizing fun activities, or guiding us through every day life in Sicily. We were exposed to so much culture, food, and history that has impacted me academically and personally. From wandering through the streets of Ortigia to swimming in Mondello, we truly got a taste of Sicily in one program that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Franca, SCIE Center Director, was the best mentor and friend we could’ve had during our 6 weeks in Italy. She helped us not only as a director, but also as family. I’ve learned so much from her and her program and highly recommend this to any individual considering to study abroad!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Treasure your time in Ortigia! I wish I could have stayed there a little longer!
Clare
The Comprehensive Learning Experience of a Lifetime
Franca Lupo of the SCIE Center of Syracuse treated each of the students on our program as if we were her own children. With that in mind, each of us felt like a member of a Sicilian family, which greatly facilitated our language learning, how comfortable we felt, and cultural knowledge we were able to absorb. When any of the small problems typically associated with traveling arose, Franca swiftly solved the situation with grace and ease. She was so knowledgable about the history of Sicily, traditional recipes, and how to give us the best experience possible. I learned so much about nutrition, and myself, from my time here in Ortigia through lived experiences and Franca’s kind spirit. I hope that so many more students can experience this amazing school.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring your appetite to Sicily! There will be so many incredible meals served, even specialty items made from Franca’s mother.
Aislinn
SCIE Center: Nutrition Study Abroad
I had an amazing time on my 6 week program abroad in Syracuse. The Sicilian culture is unique and inspiring, and Franca Lupo made sure that we were immersed in it. The food was outstanding, and I found myself enjoying foods I had never even tried before. Franca opened her arms and her heart to all 20 students, and made sure that we were comfortable, healthy, and happy. She arranged many excursion for our group, and knew the history behind every sight that we visited. My experience at the SCIE Center was nothing short of perfection. I would highly recommend this program to everyone I know, and even to people I don’t know! (Like those of you reading this review) If you love food, history, and adventure, Sicily and the SCIE Center are the place for you. I am going to deeply miss living in Ortigia and being able to walk past the ocean and through the winding streets of the island on my way to class. I hope to be back soon to visit Franca and the lovely city she introduced me to.
If you did this all over again, what’s one thing you would change?
I would learn more Italian prior to visiting. The SCIE Center offered “Survivor Italian” courses that taught my group basic words and phrases that we would need to order food and ask for directions, but I personally wish I knew more of the language so I could hold a conversation with some of the locals.
Abi
My Second Sicilian Family
Franca runs the SCIE Center so that you are not only attending a study abroad program, but are gaining a Sicilian family. She truly cares so much about all of the students involved with SCIE. Franca ensured that I always felt safe & welcome. She went above and beyond in ensuring that my dietary needs were met (vegan) while I was studying Nutrition in Sicily- something that is not always an easy feat, especially when I did not know much Italian. SCIE programs allowed me to travel all over Sicily, from Noto to Taormina to Trapani- learning about history & nutrition, & having FUN every step of the way. She truly made this study abroad absolutely flawless & I will forever consider her a Sicilian sister. She opened up her home & heart to us all!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Remember to appreciate every single moment! There are countless things to be appreciated from history to nutrition & everything in between- find what you’re interested in & don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Erfie
Excellent Experience
The SCIE CENTER is a wonderful program and center! All my students enjoyed the activities/tours and became very fond of Franca. She is a kind and caring person, who truly bonds with every member and is extremely accommodating. She has wonderful connections and resources, which enhance the program at a gargantuan level! Resources include top professors/professionals who give guest lectures and tours of their profession. Franca’s own knowledge of the history and culture of Sicily and Italy also added to the experience and helped all in our program to learn extensively about Sicily. She provided tours to many different places in Sicily.
The experience was both fun and academically stimulating. I definitely recommend this center to all study abroad programs!
Serena
Great experience!
I had an amazing experience in siracusa studying abroad with the SCIE center. Franca, the program director, always took care of us & never failed to help us when needed. Her, her family, and her staff were incredibly kind & welcoming, too. The facilities were very nice & definitely created a positive experience for us. Our housing was high quality & was a great way to bring us students all together. We learned endless amounts of things, both academically & personally. Traveling & studying abroad opened my mind to new cultures, ideas, foods, and more. This experience was truly unforgettable & is one of the best decisions I could have made in college! I highly
recommend the SCIE center for your study abroad wishes, you won’t be disappointed!!
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I opened my mind to a lot of unfamiliar things on this trip and I’m glad i did, but the most unfamiliar was probably octopus!
Study Abroad Program at SCIE Center Siracusa
This entire program was absolutely spectacular. Franca and the school were such great hosts and made me feel so welcome and at home; they provided me with so many resources and were always available whenever I needed help or guidance. They felt like my second family. The excursions and learning exercises we did while here also helped immensely in my overall education and knowledge of Italian culture. We did so much, from learning about nutrition and Italian cuisine (which was the purpose of my study abroad) to the culture and history of Italy, and combining both of those aspects aided in understanding how culture and food are interwoven. Of I could repeat this entire experience all over, I would do it in a heartbeat. I loved this study abroad so much!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come in to the trip with a broad plan of what you want to do, and complete that without sticking exactly to it because Siracusa has so much to offer.
