Meglio Studiare al Nord o al Sud?
“Italians are master communicators—due in large part to the way they make you feel. Once their infectious love of life shines through, you are hooked even if you don’t understand a word that’s being said.” That’s what Cathy Ross, a writer and editor wrote about Lingua e Cucina in her article published in Connecticut Magazine (November 2010 issue, p. 21). Food is a form of language that Italians speak from the heart. It does not need translation; it embraces diversity and brings people closer. Prof. Patrizia Guida, PhD, Vice-Rector for the International Relations at LUM University in Bari (Puglia), says it best: “Food is a key to understand a culture… to examine the interrelations among food, anthropology, economics and the arts… to investigate cross-cultural dietary preferences and taboos, food symbolism, rituals and the role of food in preserving ethnic identity.” That is one of the reasons why Gastronomy is proudly offered at LUM University as a 3-credit course through the Program of Studies for Foreigners, which gives students the tools to learn and practice the Italian language, to immerse themselves into the Italians’ daily way of life and to understand the cultural importance that food plays in every aspect of their life and its impact on global business. Gastronomy, golf and other sports activities are part of this attractive and successful program and every year the School of Italian for Foreigners offers 10 scholarships to students from all over the world, as well as Italian students living abroad, who study Italian Language and Culture courses offered by LUM. To learn more about eligibility, please visit https://www.lum.it/grants-and-scholarships/#il2-scholarships-2.
This is what i diplomati delle scuole superiori (high school graduates) think when choosing where to attend college in Italy: “Is it better to study in the North or in the South?”
Italy’s culture is captivating, unique and diverse in each of the 20 regions— culturally, artistically, linguistically (so many dialects!) and gastronomically (local unique, authentic cuisines). Every region has its most fascinating places to visit, traditions and treasures to appreciate and many yet to be discovered. Puglia, the heel of Italy, is one of these posti seducenti (alluring places); it’s one of the most attractive regions in southern Italy set like a precious stone between the Ionian and the Adriatic sea shining under the pristine blue color of the sky and water, the natural beauty of the Salento Peninsula, secret treasures, and food to die for. With its Baroque artistic culture and architecture, Lecce (the so-called Florence of the South) is one of the treasure cities laying along the most beautiful and mesmerizing beaches in the world not yet discovered by tourists. The red-stone Aragonese Castle in Brindisi, instead, offers breathtaking views of the city while the Monumento al Marinaio d’Italia, a rudder-shaped limestone memorial to sailors, has sea and city views. Smaller towns like Alberobello and Martina Franca are known for the trulli, homes in the shape of cones designed with astrological symbols like the sun, the moon, which are believed to bring good luck to the inhabitants and keep the devil away. Bari is Puglia’s capital and to better explain the complexity of this city, Dr. Patricia Guida at LUM gives us a glimpse on its two images—the old and the new—in her article, “Living in Bari”: https://www.lum.it/en/international-mobility/incoming-students/
“… Bari, the region’s capital and impressive for its vitality and human scale, is really two cities. The old town a hilly peninsula jutting over the old port (Bari rivaled Venice in the 11th century), is a warren of little streets similar to those found in an Arab town. The old part of the city is surely the most interesting for tourists (but not only) as here are concentrated all main attractions of Bari. This is the place where you can see the oldest buildings in the city – the so called ancient Barium. The buildings here were built yet in the era of the Roman Empire. In the territory of the old town you will find approximately 30 ancient churches and basilicas that were built during different epochs in the history of Bari. Every religious landmark is considered a unique one and you can hear many interesting mysteries and legends connected with them. Basilica of St. Nicholas remains the main symbol of Bari for already many years. The basilica keeps striking visitors not only by its size, but also by truly rich choice of valuable relics. The church keeps an important religious artifact – the relics of St. Nicholas. Every year a huge number of pilgrims come to the city to see the precious relics. In one of the halls of the church are located ancient icons that were brought to the basilica right after its founding – in the beginning of the 11th century.
New Bari is a vivacious, thriving town laid out in the last century on the gridiron plan, with wide avenues, impressive public buildings (including a large theater and the university), museums, concert halls, fine restaurants and ultramodern apartment houses. The central square of the city is a perfect destination for hiking. The square is decorated with magnificent fountains and statues. Not far away from the square you will find a theater and an art gallery. You can learn a lot about the past of Bari if you make an excursion to the city’s Historical Museum (Museo Storico Civico), which is also located near the center of the new district. Fans of theater simply cannot fail to ignore Petruzzelli Theatre, which occupies a beautiful historic building. In 2010, the famous theater was reopened after the restoration. Today the halls of the theater and its scene look truly amazing. The atmosphere here is reminiscent of old noble palaces. Suburban areas of Bari are truly rich in various historical and architectural attractions. Vast majority of fashion boutiques, jewelry and perfume shops are concentrated in the port area and near the railway station. In these parts of the city you can find widest choice of shopping pavilions with all kinds of goods right in every street.”
Prof. Patrizia Guida, PhD.
Pro-Rettrice con delega all'Internazionalizzazione
Direttrice Centro Linguistico di Ateneo
Responsabile Scientifico della Scuola di Italiano per Stranieri
Direttrice del Master MEXAS (Executive Management)
Università LUM
Bari-Lecce, Italy