REGGIO EMILIA, ITALY
US Students and Professors Study Group
March 12-17, 2011
Overview This study group is designed specifically for small groups of graduate and undergraduate students and accompanying professors whose work with students at US colleges and universities is influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach to education. It fits well with short term and embedded faculty led study abroad programs,offering students practical international experience to support their corresponding academic coursework. Angela Ferrario, US Liaison for Study Groups to Reggio Emilia since 1994 and Reggio Children International Network representative, is organizing this group in collaboration with the International Office of Reggio Children. She will work closely with participating professors to accommodate their group requirements and will facilitate communication across the group prior to departure and while in Reggio Emilia.
World Renowned Schools The experience of the Municipal Infant Toddler Centers and Preschools of Reggio Emilia is the subject of interest, research and exchange on the part of students, teachers, teacher educators, researchers, administrators, and political and cultural figures from all over Italy and throughout the world.The context and history of this community is highly regarded, rooted in choices made following WWII, not only pedagogical but also political, cultural and ethical choices which would support a new democratic society.
Program includes:
an introductory meeting and welcome lunch followed by a walking tour of the city
visit to the Preschools and Infant Toddler Centers of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia
presentation and analysis of projects realized inside the Preschools and Infant Toddler Centers
time at the International Center Loris Malaguzzi to see the current exhibitions including “Dialogue with places, One city many children”, the Atelier Ray of Light, the Documentation and Research Center, andthe bookshop
group meetings among students and professors to share information about their own context and Reggio-related coursework at their US colleges and universities
cultural encounters within the city of Reggio Emilia

International Meeting Place The venue for the study group is theInternational Center Loris Malaguzzi, which opened in February 2006 and is in the final phase of completion, now encompassing an International Preschool and Primary School through grade 3. As described by Carlina Rinaldi, Pedagogista and President of Reggio Children,"It was created to give greater value to a strong and distinctive characteristic of Reggio Emilia; the ability to lend listening, visibility and support to the rights and requests of children, young people, families and teachers. The Center is a dedicated meeting place where professional development and research intersect for people in Reggio Emilia, Italy and the world who wish to innovate education and culture."

Prior Preparation Students should be familiar with the history and fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to education so that they have some contextual framework before being immersed in the actual experience. Opportunities for dialogue and exchange among the group and with educators in Reggio Emilia will offer students many possibilities for gaining a deeper understanding of the 45 year history, challenges and accomplishments of theMunicipal Infant Toddler Centers and Preschools of Reggio Emilia. Recommended readings are posted on the Articles page in the Print & Video Resources section of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) website: A general bibliography is posted in this section as well.

Daily Schedule The days are full. Typically we beginat 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. and endbetween 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.with a lunch break midday.Some evening options are scheduled as well. The organization of the days gives visibility to the values of the philosophy through a combination of plenary sessions, presentations, a school visit, discussion groups and exchange of experiences between the participants and the pedagogistas, teachers, atelieristas and parents of the Reggio experience.
Cost
The cost includes the program fee to Reggio Children, services provided by International Study Tours, LLC, hotel accommodations in shared double rooms for 5 nights in a 3 star or 4 star hotel, daily buffet style breakfast, welcome lunch on Sunday and group dinner one evening. Single room supplement is $250. Flight and travel arrangements are not included. North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) members receive a $100 discount. For membership information please visit:
$1890Shared Double Room 4 star hotel (cost per person)
$1815 Shared Double Room 3 star hotel (cost per person)
$ 250Single Room Supplement (to be added to cost per person)
Accommodations
Blocks of rooms at two hotels within walking distance of the International Center Loris Malaguzzi, the train station and the historic center of the city have been reserved at group rates for5 nights with check-in on Saturday, March 12 and check-out on Thursday, March 17. Rates for accompanying non-participants and for additional nights are available upon request. Albergo Morandi HYPERLINK " is a smaller 3 star family run hotel located on Via Emilia S. Pietro 64 and Hotel Europa is a 4 star hotel with a restaurant on the premises located on Via Olimpia 2 HYPERLINK " Every effort will be made to honor hotel preference depending on availability within the reserved blocks of rooms.
Registration & Payment
To reserve a space, submission of a Registration Form and a $500 deposit is required by December 10, 2010. Spaces are limited and registrations will be accepted and processed in the order in which they are received. Angela Ferrario, US Liaison for Study Groups to Reggio Emilia, will work with professors to coordinate the registration process at participating colleges and universities. Professors who wish to accompany a group of students are asked to distribute this 5-page registration document to interested students and other faculty members at their institution. Each person must send their Registration Form (page 5 of this document) and a $500 check made payable to International Study Tours, LLC to: Angela Ferrario dba International Study Tours, LLC, 15 Beach Street Extension, Milford, MA 01757. Confirmation and Invoice for Balance Due will be sent by email to each individual. Balance of payment may be made by check or credit card and is due upon receipt of Invoice but no later than January 28, 2011.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
All monies are refundable in full minus a $50 processing fee, until January 28, 2011. After January 28, 2011, participants will be refunded 85% of the participation fee for cancellations communicated in writing to Angela Ferrario by February 18, 2011. No refund will be due for cancellations made after February 18, 2011.
Flight & Travel Arrangements
Participants areresponsible for making their own flight and travel arrangements. Bologna Marconi Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport are the nearest airports to Reggio Emilia. Participants are expected to arrive in Reggio Emilia on Saturday, March 12 (departure from the US is one day prior to arrival in Italy). Our first group gathering in Reggio Emilia will be the introductory meeting and welcome lunch on Sunday, March 13.

Airport Pick Up Service
Assistance with making private ground transportation arrangements for groups traveling together is available upon request. Cost is additional.

Reaching Reggio Emilia On Your Own You can get to Reggio Emilia by public transportation from Bologna Marconi Airport, which is nearest to Reggio Emilia and from Milan Malpensa Airport. See website information below. Driving to Reggio Emilia takes approximately 1 hour from Bologna Marconi Airport and approximately 2 ½ hours from Milan Malpensa Airport, depending on traffic conditions. If using public trains and buses, allow additional time – at least another 1-2 hours depending on schedules.
Website Information
In general, you can find everything you need to know about getting to/from the airportson the following websites:
Bologna Marconi Airport: Click British flag icon; To & From the Airport
Milan Malpensa Airport: Click Malpensa airport; Connection; From or To Malpensa; By train or By bus
Malpensa Express train: Click EN for English; Departure Station Malpensa Aeroporto; Arrival Station Cadorna (Milano)
Italian train schedule: Click English in the top right corner
Photography & Videotape Policy: For privacy issues, participants are not allowed to photograph or videotape inside the infant toddler centers and preschools, inside the Exhibition area and the Atelier at the International Center Loris Malaguzzi, as well as during the presentations. Reggio Children’s policy allows the possibility to audio record the presentations.

RESPONSIBILITY

Angela Ferrario dba International Study Tours LLC acts only as the agent for the several hotels and other suppliers providing accommodations and services to participants. International Study Tours, LLC shall not be liable for any cancellation, injury, loss, damage, expense, delay or inconvenience which may be caused or sustained by any participant.
Reggio Children S.r.l is released from any charges and obligations related to possible cancellations or date changes when due to circumstances beyond Reggio Children’s control or for any other reason not directly imputable to the failure of Reggio Children S.r.l. In this unlikely case, Reggio Children S.r.l. undertakes to agree with Angela Ferrario new dates for the Initiative, or if an agreement is not reached, to release Angela Ferrario and thereby participants from all payment obligations. Reggio Children S.r.l. is not responsible for travel arrangements or other planning costs incurred. Reggio Children S.r.l. reserves the right to modify the program according to organizational needs or to Public Authorities’ provisions or measures. Participants are responsible for issuing an individual insurance policy for accidents of any type, which may occur during the Study Group when not inside a municipal institution. Reggio Children S.r.l. will provide insurance for participants for damages caused to people or things inside the municipal institutions.
Travel Insurance is not included and should be secured by the individual participant.

For further information contact:
Angela Ferrario, US Liaison for Study Groups to Reggio Emilia
phone: 508 473 8001
email:
Reggio Emilia, Italy
US Students and Professors Study Group
March 12-17, 2011

Registration Form
Name ______
Address ______
City ______State ______Zip code ______
Phone Number ______Email Address ______(Please provide an email address that you check regularly as it will be used for correspondence.)
College or University: ______
Please check one: Professor [ ] Undergraduate Student [ ] Graduate Student [ ]

Please check yes or no:
I consent to have my email address shared with the group. [ ] yes [ ] no
I am a member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA). [ ] yes [ ] no
Cost (please check one):
Per person cost is based on double occupancy in a 3 or 4 star hotel from check-in on Saturday, March 12 to check-out on Thursday, March 17. There is a supplemental charge of $250 for a single room. North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) members receive a $100 discount. If you are a NAREA member check yes above and $100 will be deducted from your invoice. For membership information please visit: HYPERLINK "
[ ] Shared Double Room 4 star hotel (cost per person) $1890
[ ] Shared Double Room 3 star hotel (cost per person) $1815
[ ] Single Room 4 star hotel (additional $250 supplement)
[ ] Single Room 3 star hotel (additional $250 supplement)
Please Check One:
[ ] I have a roommate. My roommate’s name is: ______

[ ] Please find me a roommate, if possible.

To reserve a space, please send this Registration Form and a $500 check deposit made payable to International Study Tours, LLC to: Angela Ferrario dba International Study Tours, LLC, 15 Beach Street Extension, Milford, MA 01757 by December 10, 2010. Confirmation and Invoice for Balance Due will be sent by email to each individual. Balance of payment may be made by check or credit card and is due upon receipt of Invoice but no later than January 28, 2011. Please refer to Refund & Cancellation Policy.
For further information contact:
Angela Ferrario, US Liaison for Study Groups to Reggio Emilia
phone: 508 473 8001email:HYPERLINK "mailto:"
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