It was a diverse group in both age and profession. They ranged from their 30s to their 80s, and represented careers in aviation, social work, artificial intelligence and finance, to name a few. Most were from the Seattle region, although a few had flown in from Phoenix, Los Angeles and Florida. What was the bond that brought these 21 individuals to Rome the week before Christmas? In a phrase, their passion for Italy – its history, culture, language and food.
The group was part of an inaugural weeklong adult-education program called Scholars Abroad, launched by the University of Washington last year. Using the Eternal City as a base, the program enables adult learners to explore Italian art, architecture and culture; engage with UW scholars and local experts; and enjoy the liveliness of the city’s streets and neighborhoods. The holiday lights, Christmas markets and other year-end festivities were an added bonus.
