Summer study abroad trip to Italy follows footsteps of Galileo

Mornings began with a spread of deli meats, a variety of cheeses, fresh bread, croissants, and flaky pastries. It was a change of pace that set the tone for each day of this European experience.

“Forget pancakes and bacon — Italy’s breakfast game is built around savory bites and carbs,” said Maura Kulp, a biomedical sciences major at Commonwealth University-Mansfield. “For someone like me who kicks off the day with eggs or a quick yogurt, this was definitely a big change.”

Hotel breakfast was one of many unexpected cultural twists Kulp and her 12 fellow Commonwealth University students experienced during their time abroad this summer, especially when it came to dinner.

“In Italy, it's an experience,” Kulp said. “Dinner could easily stretch two to three hours, and grabbing something ‘on-the-go’ wasn’t really a thing. Italian dining isn’t rushed. It’s about savoring every bite, every conversation, and really being present with the people around you. In a way, it was a great reminder — to slow down, unplug, and enjoy life as it’s happening.”

And that’s exactly what the group did for nearly two weeks traveling through the Tuscany and Lazio regions of Italy walking in the footsteps of Galileo — the famed Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer.

They visited Rome, Pisa, Livorno, Padua, Venice, and Florence exploring museums, churches, basilicas, and other sites to learn about the life and work of the late 16th and early 17th Century scientist.

“Although it was amazing to see all these places in person, the ability to see how people interact on a day-to-day basis gave me a broader understanding of cultural and belief-related differences between people,” said Natalie Bliss, a business administration management major at CU-Mansfield. “Because of the sites I was able to see in person, I have a much better understanding of the class material than I would’ve had through a lecture-style course. I can confidently say this has been the best decision I’ve made throughout my college career.”

The study abroad course — Galileo: the Father of Experimental Science — was created and taught by Michael Cullin, professor of physics at CU-Lock Haven, who began each morning with a lecture about where the group was going and what they would see. Cullin hopes to offer a new course on physicists of England and Scotland next summer.

“Hearing lectures outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa helped me retain the information much better than I would've at home,” said Madeline DiMarco, a media and journalism major at CU-Bloomsburg. “Learning the history about these places made it much more interesting when we finally saw them in person. Getting to experience many places significant to Galileo and other Italian history helped me gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance.”

Among the trip highlights included a dramatic reading of Galileo’s recantation in the very room it occurred in Rome, climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and top of St. Mark’s Bell Campanile in Venice, and seeing several of Galileo’s manuscripts containing his own notes in Padua and Florence.

Also in Florence, the group got a close look at some of Galileo’s inventions and scientific instruments as well as his and Michaelangelo’s tombs in the Basilica of Santa Croce.

“The sheer amount of history in every town and street is incredible,” DiMarco said. “Many things are 500 or 1,000 years old. Many of these places are still standing today in great shape. It was incredible to see pivotal historical monuments in person.”

The biggest takeaway from the summer course was that curiosity drives discovery, Kulp said.

“Taking this class in Italy made everything so much more vivid,” Kulp said. “We weren’t just reading about history — we were literally walking through it. Every site we visited built onto our understanding of Galileo, bringing his legacy to life in ways no classroom ever could. Being immersed in the history and innovation of centuries of scientific geniuses was an unforgettable experience.”

DiMarco agreed.

“I’m so grateful we got to see so many historical and iconic landmarks,” DiMarco said. “Seeing the Colosseum in person was a surreal experience. I’m so happy I was able to experience one of the 7 Wonders of the World through this study abroad program ... a program that helped me better understand other cultures, meet new people, and discover things about myself.”

The trip left a lasting mark on Bliss, as well.

“It greatly influenced my outlook on the world and my open-mindedness of others,” Bliss said. “I was able to meet so many interesting people and try things I never would’ve tried in any other scenario. I’m very grateful for my experience and what I was able to learn through it.”

According to Kulp, the abroad experience opened her mind in ways a textbook never could.

“This experience shaped me personally as it made me more adaptable, more curious, and more confident in unfamiliar situations,” Kulp said. “It’s one thing to study culture, history, and science (in a classroom), It’s another thing entirely to stand where it happened, reflect on it, and see how it connects to your own story. This trip was hands down, a life-changing adventure.”

Also on the trip abroad were Abrie Brosius, Danielle Funkhouser, Chloe Kalman, Alexis Rios, and Maci Stackhouse from CU-Bloomsburg; Adriana Campogiani and Leah Comstock from CU-Lock Haven; and Kassondra Cleaver, Brynn Knepp, and Laura Newton from CU-Mansfield.

Italy Study Abroad Gallery