By Hunter Boschert
Clarissa Crescini is a senior Management of Cultural Arts major from Salò, Italy. She currently lives in Milan and attends the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Her hometown of Salò is located in northern Italy and is home to a little over 10,000 residents. The Church of Santa Maria Annunziata is a grand tourist attraction located in Salò. Built in 1453, the church reflects a late gothic style and its façae remains unfinished to this day. Many notable Italian painters and composers have lived in Salò, including Gasparo da Salò, inventor of the violin.
Q: What are you involved in on campus?
A: I am active in the International Club, Political Science Club, Black Student Union and Knights of Adventure
Q: What is your favorite Bellarmine Event?
A: Ball on the Belle
Q: What do you miss about home the most?
A: Well I am a very picky eater so, the food. It is hard for me to find food I thoroughly enjoy at home so it is next to impossible for me to find food in America I like. My favorite food is tiramisu, and it just is not the same here.
Q: What is your favorite hide-away in Louisville?
A: It is really hard for me to get around without a car, but my favorite getaway spot is The Big Four Walking Bridge. It is nice to get off campus with friends and go walk around and enjoy the riverfront.
Q: What is your favorite U.S. city?
A: Washington D.C. I went on a trip with Bellarmine during fall break and loved visiting all of the monuments, and the Library of Congress was my favorite attraction because it was so beautiful. D.C. is full of so much history and historical locations are my favorite places to visit.
Q: Why did you choose to come to the U.S. and more specifically Bellarmine?
A: I chose the States because I wanted to go to a country that is not easy for me visit. It is very easy to go to nearby European countries by plane or train, but it is not as easy to get to the States. My program actually chose which university I would go to, but I am happy with Bellarmine because it is a liberal arts university that aligns well with my degree.
Q: Is America what you expected it to be like?
A: No, when I envisioned the States I envisioned California, and that is not an accurate representation of the States. I expected it to be more liberal and less conservative, but that could just also be the Louisville area. I was really excited to come and experience a true college campus because universities in Italy are very different with a lack of athletics and fraternities.
Q: What is the strangest social customs you have noticed?
A: The greetings and when people say “Hi, how are you?” they really do not care. They are just being polite and would like to move on. I have also noticed the lack of personal contact and how firm handshakes are. Here handshakes seem to establish dominance and power when in Italy they are much softer and then followed by three kisses if you are from the North or two kisses if you are from the South. Finally, Italians are very picky so most people just give money as gifts and try not to buy something. Here in the States everyone tries to give items as gifts.
Q: When do you leave Bellarmine?
A: I start my journey back home on Dec 20, but I am going to stop in New Orleans, Miami, New York, and then Boston over the course of three weeks on my way home. Then I plan on seeing some friends in Amsterdam and London before going back home.