Lamezia, Calabria Region By the Sea

Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange Program
The Italian Experience
Lamezia, Calabria Region By the Sea
Wow! What a wonderful experience! I had a fabulous week filled with fun, food, laughter and
lots of learning. My host Principals organized terrific school visits and workshops facilitated by
the energetic and enthusiastic teaching staff at Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi
Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" who brought their wealth of
experience about instructional practices and school leadership with a depth of knowledge and
understanding of the Italian education system. School visits were eye openers and the
opportunity to savor local cuisine and culture with my host and at Istituto Professionale di Stato
per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" a Hospitality
School just added to the experience. I finished the week tired and exhilarated, yet knowing that I
wanted to return to the Calabria region to experience more Italian culture in the near future. I
would like to thank all the educational professionals and the wonderful students that I met at
Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali, Enogastronomia e Ospitalità
Alberghiera "L. Einaudi" and the other school sites that I visited in Lamezia Terme, you made
the week a most memorable experience.
The study tour was part of the 2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange
Program. I was hosted by two great principals from Lamezia Terme, Lorenzo Benincasa and
Rossana Costantino. Mr Benincasa is the principal of L’Istituto Borello-Fioentino and Ms.
Constantino is the principal of Istituto Professionale di Stato per i Servizi Commerciali,
Enogastronomia e Ospitalità Alberghiera "L. Einaudi, Lamezia Terme in the Calabria region.
I flew into and out of Rome from Montreal Canada. I knew that spending some time there was
pretty much mandatory on my first trip to Italy. Rome is a living archaeological site full of
history, culture and relics from the original Roman Empire. I had a wonderful visit in Rome
seeing the sites, learning about the culture, food, and language. I would definitely recommend
first time visitors to Italy not to miss a stay in Rome.
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
La Mezia Terme
Following my two day tour of Rome I took the train south for four hours to my destination La
Mezia Terme. I was met at the train station by my principal host Lorenzo B. Immediately, I felt
the warmth hospitality of the Calabria region.
I spend most of the week visiting French and hospitality classes with my host, Rosangela Filice.
Besides visiting schools and discussing how literacy and numeracy is embedded in their Italian
hospitality program, I visited many museums and churches. Every day during ‘sisesta’ time in
Lamezia when all of the city would take two hours to rest after lunch and close all businesses, I
would walk for two hours through the city center and explore historical sites, alleys, streets
castles and bridges.
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
The Italian hospitality and food was amazing no matter where I ate. My brief stay in Lamezia
Terme made it clear why people are so proud about the region of Calabria. The landscape is
picturesque with views from every hilltop and weather that was really mild for the month of
March. After a few days in Lamezia I had gotten used to the serendipity of wandering back alley
paths and it was a city that definitely rewarded those who were willing to explore it on foot. I
found stores, restaurants, and coffee shops and enjoyed the quiet local museums and church
architecture. I had many great meals at my host home and at the hospitality school. Rome and
the Calabria regions the food was delicious. The food at the hospitality was exceptional. The
culinary arts students made me the best Risotto that I ate during my visit.
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
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Carl Dobbin
Global Principal Partnership Exchange
March 14-18, 2016
The 2015/2016 Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership Exchange was one of the best
professional development exchanges that I have experienced. It was an extraordinary cultural
experience and I even improved my Italian, visited new towns and cities in Italy, and savored
some of the best food that I have ever tasted in my life. Since I speak French it made the Italian
language feel about 75% readable and it was easy to pick up short phrases. Although it was a
working vacation, it was really easy to slip into the relaxed Italian lifestyle. I am excited to
return to Italy to enjoy more Italian hospitality, culture and food. Finally, I would like to thank
Ontario/Italy Global Principal Partnership, Ottawa Carleton Education Network
(http://www.ocenet.ca/en/page/show/about-ocenet), Ottawa Carleton District School Board and
the wonderful teaching staff in the schools that I visited in Lamezia for this enriching exchange
and networking opportunities. My participating in this professional exchange program organized
by OPC provided me with the authentic opportunity to connect with other innovative school
principals in Lamezia, Calabria, Italy, in a collaborative peer shadowing and shared professional
experience.
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