ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

Yesterday we had a beautiful day in charming San Gimignano, a raucous talent show and skits run by the RA All-stars, a dinner under the stars at Chalet Fontana, the unveiling of the summerbooks at dinner, and a final photo slide show: a little bit of everything as we wrap-up ASA Florence 2009. The final few students are departing the Convitto in the next hour.......where did the month go? Arrivederla, Firenze.........
Have a wonderful rest of the summer students of ASAAAAAAA!!!
Brad
Director

We are unbelievably down to one final day at ASA Florence, and what a day it will be. We will start Thursday with a daytrip to San Gimignano, one of Tuscany's most popular cities. We will then return to Convitto della Calza for a talent show and finally make our way to a yet-to-be-disclosed location for our final night dinner gala. Last chance gelato opportunities will be abundant....

Ciao tutti!
Everyone is back safe and sound from another successful club night out in steamy Florence.

Tomorrow will be our second and final installment of 'Florence Free Day', where students will have the option of choosing to partake in the many activities offered by the all-star staff, or relaxing and simply enjoying the final Saturday of our program. A popular trip tomorrow afternoon will be the activity where our staff leads students up to Fiesole, a charming hill-top hamlet which overlooks Florence. Google image search "fiesole views" and you'll see what I mean.

Sunday will be our afternoon/evening excursion to Cortona. Our tour guide Giovanni Adriani (who also was used by Rick Steves) will give us a delightful trip around town and end in the main square. This beautiful town is at the heart of the book (and movie, of course) "Under the Tuscan Sun". From it's hillside perch one can see Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal pushed the Roman Empire to its brink.

We will dine Sunday evening at Locanda nel Loggiato in Cortona, a charming restaurant which overlooks the town square and was also used in some of the "Tuscan Sun" film. As the sun sets over the piazza the students will enjoy a wonderful, popular Tuscan dining experience.

-Brad, Director

tutti,
Before we headed over to la discotecha to dance the night away, we all met in beautiful Piazza della Repubblica and snapped a few pictures in the busiest square in Florence. The Friday night buzz in the air and the myriad of street performers set the tone for a wonderful night of music and laughter. Tomorrow we hit the beach in Viareggio.
If you aren't getting sent the slideshows of pictures, please send an email to FlorenceDirector@asaprograms.com with the subject heading "pictures please!" and we will add you to the list...

What a week already in Florence! We had a nice Sunday afternoon in Siena, while the rest of the week has been packed with wonderful activities which have been attended by such a passionate, outgoing group of students. The activities this week have incorporated true delights of this amazing city. The students have (to name just a few): climbed the Duomo, visited the Synagogue and had lunch at Ruth’s, enjoyed music and aperitivo at Caruso Jazz Café, took in a delightful performance at St. Mark’s Opera, devoured dessert at Gilli, and experienced a must-see in Florence with an extended Uffizi visit. Tomorrow night is the much-anticipated Club Night, while Saturday will bring a beach trip to Viareggio. At our faculty meeting Wednesday the compliments were OVERWHELMING about how engaged and dynamic these students are. La dolce vita indeed!

ciao tutti!
Everyone is settling in nicely here at ASA Florence, as we have finished our second day of classes. The activities board is chock full of Florence goodness as students have just returned from a night of a scavenger hunt and "the best hot chocolate EVER", according to one student, at Cafe Hemingway. Piazzale Michaelangelo and the Boboli Gardens are on the agenda in the next couple of days...
Two days ago we took a visit to Pisa where the incomparable Roberto Bello took over 50 of our students on a walking tour of Pisa. "Can we take him everywhere we go?" was one student's comment midway through the tour, as Roberto had everyone in stitches.
What have the students eaten so far at dinner here at Convitto della Calza? pasta al pomodoro, petti di pollo al balsamico, patate arrosto, insalata caterina, risotto agli asparagi, bocconcini di tacchino, finocchi gratin, insalata di farro, JUST to name a few! And of course, the local gelateria just 50 meters away has seen a significant spike in business...
Brad

ciao tutti!
All but one student (who is en route from Korea) has arrived in the residence here at Convitto della Calza! We just got back from a delicious pizza dinner at Conte Ugolino and now the students are settling into their rooms. Tomorrow we will conduct our gala orientation in the morning and visit Pisa in the afternoon.
Brad
Director

Dear ASA Florence:

As we are getting very close to the program start date, we wanted to touch base on a few important items.
All Forms Due
We have now past the due date for all forms. We have sent out reminders today to those who are still missing forms. All students must submit their forms to the NY office as soon as possible: Rules & Regulations, Housing Form, Medical Form, Passport Copy. If you have not yet submitted your ISIC photo, please bring it with you to the program. If you are faxing any forms this week, please also bring a hard copy of those forms with you to the program.

Tshirts
By now, you should have received an ASA t-shirt and luggage tags in the mail. It is very important that you wear your ASA t-shirt when you travel to the program so our staff will be able to easily identify and help you when you arrive.

Magnet Material
You should have also received Before you go/Predeparture travel information in the mail by now. Please review this information to prepare you for travel day. Parents, be sure to print out the sheet with summer contact information and stick it on your fridge for easy reference during the summer!

Handbook and Packing List
Be sure to review your Orientation Handbook / Packing List that was posted to MyASA. The Handbook contains important information about the program and guidance as you prepare for the summer. Please read it through promptly, as it holds the answers to many questions, including some you haven’t thought to ask!

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Welcome to ASA News & Updates! As you finish off the school year, ASA will keep you posted with important information through this feature to prepare you for your time in Italy. Once you arrive at program, staff onsite in Florence will post updates to the site regularly, reporting back to those at home on all of our travel and cultural adventures, including photos.

Please make sure you subscribe to 'News & Updates' now so as not to miss any pre-program details. Encourage family and friends to subscribe as well so that they can see all that you're up to in Italy this summer.

Also make sure to complete all of the ASA forms that are due before departure. If you are not sure what is missing from your file, please log on to your MyASA account, where you’ll be able to check the status and download any necessary forms.

Thank you, and look out for the next update!