A group of five Regis students traveled to Milan, Italy this July for a co-taught faculty-led program at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, where they learned about Italian culture while developing their storytelling skills.
As part of the program, students learned about the principles of screenwriting during “Writing a Story,” a course led by Cattolica Professor and Screenwriter Mara Perbellini. Regis Professor Dr. Julia Lisella served as co-teacher, guest lecturing and leading writing exercises on literary analysis and generative and revision writing. Using the skills they learned, the course culminated with students submitting their very own short film screenplays.
Eleven students from across the globe, including Australia, England, and Egypt, as well as other universities located in the U.S., participated in the course alongside Regis students, giving them the chance to meet people from many cultures.
One student reflected on the cultural differences of daily life in Italy: “I observed how meals were treated as meaningful social moments rather than rushed necessities. I learned that people in Milan, Italy prioritize connection, conversation, and presence. Even though I wasn’t able to fully communicate with every person I met, there was a lot of cultural understanding through gestures and expressions, rather than words alone.”
Outside of the classroom, students spent their time exploring Milan. Living in apartments just 20 minutes away from the university, students enjoyed navigating public transportation, discovering quaint grocery stores and local restaurants, and exploring the area around the Duomo di Milano, the Navigli, and the Brera district. Students were also able to travel to Cinque Terre to experience the breathtaking coastal views, hiking trails, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
“I think the impact of this program was profound for our students,” said Dr. Lisella. “Some of the students have traveled extensively, but others have never been outside the U.S. Not only were they exposed to Italian culture, but to the cultures of all of the students they met from other parts of the world. They also really enjoyed the subject material: they all enjoyed creating their stories and saw how their storytelling skills will support their other learning at Regis and beyond. For me, too, it was a wonderful teaching and learning experience collaborating with Mara Perbellini, learning from her and working with so many motivated students from so many places, cultures, experiences, and traditions.”
Regis students who participated in the program included Chloe Ackles ‘29, Kristina Asmanu ‘29, Ian Brown ‘29, Logan Crowell ‘29, and Ashley Sullivan ‘27.
Learn more about Regis' Education Abroad programs here.