LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Dear readers,
Once again, we are proud to welcome you all to a new issue of La Civetta, the Italian department magazine at the University of Bristol - this time with a summer twist.
May has been a very challenging month and, let’s say it, also incredibly stressful for many of us. Students, tutors and trainees have all done their best to survive the exams and we hope everybody was rewarded for their hard work. For this reason, we hope to provide a breath of fresh air to you all with this Summer issue. Exploring new, less “mainstream” Italian destinations such as Trieste, Palermo, Matera and Alberobello, among others, students offer their own take on the places they have stumbled upon and come to love.
We also tackle the daunting ‘year abroad’ in a series of articles dealing with second year student’s fears and expectations for this upcoming uncertain time, as well as sending them off with a little bit of Italian culture before they leave. Buona fortuna for your Year Abroad! Enjoy it, build long-lasting friendships, appreciate the cultural growth/be open to the culture, allow yourself to grow and always remain ready and enthusiastic in the face of this new and exciting challenge!
We would also like to say ‘in bocca al lupo’ to all the fourth year students who will soon say goodbye to the familiar corridors of the School of Modern Languages. We wish you all the best and hope La Civetta will always be a way for you to be a part of the Italian department here at Bristol. In addition, a general arrivederci to everyone who has worked hard and passionately for this magazine: we hope we met your expectations as Editors of La Civetta this term and gave your brilliant ideas and initiatives the space they deserved.
A final word from me, Valeria. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the splendid tutors in the Italian department with whom I have been working for the past four months. Besides making me feel welcome from day one, you have managed to share with me all your enthusiasm for your job. Finally, thanks to Marzia. I feel twice as lucky to have had the honour to work by your side: in the past few months you have been a precious colleague, a hilarious traveling companion and, above all, a friend.
All there is left to say is a presto and enjoy!
Valeria and Marzia