JCD graduate tours Italy
Immersive Term is a chance for Franklin College students to engage in non-traditional classes, internships and study-away opportunities throughout the month of January. The college offers a different selection of faculty-led study away courses each year for students to experience global cultures while learning about a variety of subjects.
Students who travel to Italy for Immersive Term take an intensive cultural course studying the interconnected histories of Florence, Venice and Rome. The three cities were integral to the development of Italy, and Europe as a whole. Students had the opportunity to travel independently for a weekend and stay with host families in Florence.
In January, Avery Negangard, age 22 of Osgood, along with eight other Franklin College students were chosen for a three-week tour of Italy. Avery is a graduate of Jac-Cen-Del. She is a senior at Franklin College, majoring in Economics and getting a minor in Business and Accounting. She is the daughter of Shawn and Molly Negangard.
Each student had to apply and write a report to present to the staff of why they should be chosen for Italy. Avery had the experience of Europe when she went on a vacation to Europe with her aunt her sophomore year in high school. She knew then she wanted to go back and see more. Going to Franklin has been a great experience for Avery.
In the fall semester of 2024, the students studied the background and history of the art of Italy, preparing them for their tour. John Boardman, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, and Kellie Schmidt, M.A.Ed., M.A., associate dean for student success, both being Franklin residents, served as the course instructors. Boardman provided instruction on Italian history, culture and art while Schmidt coordinated travel and accommodations. This is the third trip to Italy that Boardman and Schmidt have led. Ellis Hall and Sherri Hall also assisted on the tour.
Avery and another student had the pleasure of staying with a host family while touring Italy. They were able to learn one on one experiences with the family and about their culture for 11 days of their stay in Florence. She told the Osgood Journal, “I just loved our host family. To just get to meet people and see how they lived versus here was a great learning experience. There was a six-hour difference in time in Italy and how they eat is a bit different.” Avery said that for breakfast they would have some type of bread or croissant every morning. During the day, she would get something to eat in the city while at class. For dinner, the family would alternate pasta and then the other some type of meat with a side. She told the Osgood Journal that they didn’t eat until eight or nine o’clock every night and that was much different than when she was home and took some getting used to. The weather was about 30 to 40 degrees and windy but no snow.
While in Florence, students went to class every day and took walking tours of Florence seeing different buildings, cathedrals, and museums. Avery told the Osgood Journal that her favorite part of the trip was the language she took, learning to speaking Italian. The students also took a class learning how to make homemade pasta. She stated, “It was delicious and can’t wait to make it again when I get home.”
They traveled to Rome where they got to see the coliseum, touring the inside where all the gladiator fights were back in the day. There are just ruins remains now. While in Rome they stayed in a Hostel, like a hotel but she told the Osgood Journal, “I shared a room with four of my roommates. My go to meal while there was a margarita pizza. This pizza was actually created in Italy. Difference in Italy is they only have cheese, marinera sauce and fresh basil. Where in the United States they make it with tomatoes.” She also got to experience Venice, Pisa, and Naples where she got to see an active volcano.
The experience the students received is for most a lifetime dream. The students could only take a back pack or carry on for three whole weeks, and was a bit of an adjustment for them only to pack just the necessities. The Osgood Journal spoke with her mom Molly, who stated, “I was a bit nervous at first but was able to have the advantage with her phone plan to track her whole flight all the way. I could at least Facetime video call her so having that contact made me less nervous. Being that she had traveled with her aunt before she took the lead and confidence in the trip. I have never been overseas or anywhere in a plane and so glad she gets to experience more at her age.”
Avery told the Osgood Journal that she will be graduating in May and plans to work for her parents at Negangards Tent & Party Rental, LLC as an Event Specialist. “My future goal is to be an event planner with the business.” With her education and experience with the family business she will be a great asset serving this local community.
