M.A. in Leadership Residency FAQ

Orvieto Residency

What are the accommodations like in Orvieto?

Students lodge in a historic thirteenth-century monastery (the Convento dei Servi) leased by Gordon College for its programs in Orvieto. Renovated from top to bottom in 2013, the monastery includes a dormitory of nine double rooms with private baths, a spacious library-classroom, a comfortable sitting room, dining hall, a professionally equipped kitchen, and an attractive outdoor patio for breakfasting. The walls are bright with artworks created by students and teachers in the undergraduate semester program. For photographs of the monastery and its setting in the region of Umbria, visit this website: https://www.artfaithhistory.org/location. For an aerial view of the town and convent, put in this address on your Maps app: Via Belisario 6, 05018 Orvieto (TR) Italy.

How will meals be provided?

The large mid-day pranzo and somewhat lighter evening cena are prepared family-style by professional chef Maria Battistini, following her own artistry in Italian cuisine. Simple self-service breakfast supplies of cereal, yogurt, tea, coffee and juice are available to students—but nothing beats strolling to one of the many nearby cafés for an Italian breakfast of a pastry and a cappuccino!

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Chef Maria can adjust recipes for people who are lactose-intolerant or have significant allergies to particular foods. Students who are necessarily vegetarian can be accommodated. (John Skillen will need to alert the chef to any dietary restrictions before students arrive in Orvieto.)

What is the weekly calendar and the schedule of class sessions?

All students take two courses while in Orvieto. The two courses will occur concomitantly, not sequentially, each with 36 hours of direct instruction. The Leadership class will meet on six days following a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, with three-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon. The every-other-day schedule allows for a breather-for-digestion between each course’s meetings and spreads out the reading assignments for each class. The schedule fosters informal discussion among the students as well as promoting cross-fertilization between the two courses.

Will there be excursions related to the classes?

Two day-long excursions will take us to the cities of Florence and Siena (with stops along the way).  Course-related visits to places in and around Orvieto will be arranged during class days. Costs for all such excursions are included in the program costs.

What about tips on what to pack, weather, banking procedures, emergency health care, internet connectivity, etc.?

Once the cohort has been determined, students will receive detailed instructions and information about all these topics and more.

How much additional money will be needed for the Orvieto experience?

Each student will be required to pay $1500 that covers housing, meals in the convent, and excursions while in Orvieto. Each student is also responsible for their own airline travel from the States to Italy and should be coordinated through the College’s travel agent. Any additional personal travel as well as snacks, drinks and other personal purchases are the student's responsibility.

Do I need any other documents than a valid passport?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the conclusion of the program. Students with non-US passports may need to apply for a Visa to enter Italy, depending on the diplomatic relations between Italy and the country of citizenship.