"We had the pleasure of sharing our home with Luca last year. He and his lovely family returned the favor by opening their home in Cortona to us yesterday. Thank you for your warm hospitality, delicious food and friendship! The tour of Cortona was also wonderful despite the heat. We look forward to seeing you all again soon!"
-Robyn Porter, parent, Bethesda, MD (Classical Summer 2011)
"I am so fortunate to have gone to Italy with you and I'm so glad to have gone. I can honestly say that going to Italy has completely opened my horizons and has led me to want to travel abroad more. I will always remember the trip to Italy as a special experience that no other person will ever understand. Thank you for making Latin worth taking one more year and I know you will continue to inspire Highland students with your Latin and Italian skills."
-Shane Maurelli, student, Warrenton, VA (Classical Summer 2018)
"We can't thank you enough for the wonderful experience and safe hands you provided Nick. We had a chance to spend the follow on week with Nick, and got such glowing, detailed and heart-warming descriptions of a marvelous adventure. We're all back now, and I just wanted to drop another note to tell you how much we appreciate the hard work, admire the vision and intelligence you provided, and to thank you for opening up our child to a fantastic world, that hopefully Nick continues to explore and enjoy."
-Piper and Michael Beveridge, parents, Bethesda, MD (Classical Summer 2022)
“Emily’s participation in the Italian summer trip program was undoubtedly one of the highlights of her high school experience. It was extremely well organized and, due to its’ ability to rely on past trips, had the perfect mix of academics and cultural experiences. Being able to live with an Italian family and their high school child was something that also made the trip special. We also found that the experience of our daughter being able to travel abroad on her own with her peer group at this point in her life resulted in her coming home with what seemed like a more “independent” spirit and confidence that has continued throughout the rest of her high school experience.”
-Moe Hamilton, parent, McLean, VA (Classical Summer 2015)
"I went on every trip my school could offer me in high school. The Classical Summer trip was hands down the best one. The best trip because everything was perfect: the people, place, food, culture. I felt like I was exploring a culture but also felt at home at the same time. And of course the group I went with was amazing. We all became close because of the trip and Mrs. Maclean was the perfect adult. The summer after the exchange I went and visited my Italian hostess in Tuscany. Now I will be studying for a year in Italy (one semester in Rome and another in Florence.)"
-Shraddha Karnati, student, Hyderabad, India (Classical Summer 2013)
"Our family had the pleasure of hosting two high school students as part of the Classical Summer Program and it was such a wonderfully positive experience! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment with them, learning about Italian culture and sharing our culture with them. Both students spoke English very well and graciously entertained all our questions as we were eager to learn about their day-to-day life in Italy, specifically Cortona. We learned so much! It was incredibly fun taking them to as many American events and activities as we could fit in during their time here. They seemed to love it all! And our family is now very excited to be traveling to Italy for the first time this summer. We SO look forward to spending time with our friends in Cortona, meeting their families and experiencing the beauty and culture of their town!"
-Ann Martin, parent, Warrenton, VA (Classical Summer 2017)
"That program shifted my worldview. It was absolutely foundational in my decision to study Italian at the university level. In fact, I ended up winning UNC's department award for most excellent student in Italian. I studied abroad for my entire junior year in Bologna, Italy, and took classes directly at L'Università di Bologna. I felt comfortable living with Italian students because of my exchange experience in high school. During my time abroad I took trips to visit my old friends from my Classical Summer homestay. Those connections are lasting and valued."
-Caroline Klaff, student, Potomac Falls, VA (Classical Summer 2011)
"Erin had a wonderful experience on the trip. Visiting so many Roman sites made what she learning in Latin class come alive. The experience staying with a family with a high schooler in Cortona was the highlight of a trip filled with amazing experiences. She talked about it for weeks after returning home! Ms. Maclean packed so many fun and educational experiences into this trip. The cultural exchange continued when the Cortona students visited Washington, D.C. the following Thanksgiving. We had two of the Italian students stay with us, which was a lot of fun."
-Matt and Karla McGovern, parents, Leesburg, VA (Classical Summer 2013)
"One of my favorite parts of the trip was staying with the families. They are so exited to have an American come stay with them, and they're so hospitable!! They spoke English around me (if they knew it), and we were pretty much instant best friends/sisters. When we went out (to hang out with other Italians) I always felt included. The girls and boys I met in Italy were some of the sweetest and most fun people I have ever met, and we still keep in touch. I really miss them all (!) but I know that we'll be friends for life.
-Beatrice Werness, student, Great Falls, VA (Classical Summer 2011)
"My experience on the Classical Summer Trip was truly one of the highlights of my high school experience! As a Latin student, this trip really enriched my understanding of the language and its historical context, and it helped inspire me to continue studying Latin into college. Everything from the food to sightseeing to bonding with the Italians students and my fellow colleagues on the trip was so influential and enriching! This trip was educational but also fun, and set me on the path to be a stronger classics student!"
-Grace Kennedy, student, Alexandria, VA (Classical Summer 2015)
-Robyn Porter, parent, Bethesda, MD (Classical Summer 2011)
"I am so fortunate to have gone to Italy with you and I'm so glad to have gone. I can honestly say that going to Italy has completely opened my horizons and has led me to want to travel abroad more. I will always remember the trip to Italy as a special experience that no other person will ever understand. Thank you for making Latin worth taking one more year and I know you will continue to inspire Highland students with your Latin and Italian skills."
-Shane Maurelli, student, Warrenton, VA (Classical Summer 2018)
"We can't thank you enough for the wonderful experience and safe hands you provided Nick. We had a chance to spend the follow on week with Nick, and got such glowing, detailed and heart-warming descriptions of a marvelous adventure. We're all back now, and I just wanted to drop another note to tell you how much we appreciate the hard work, admire the vision and intelligence you provided, and to thank you for opening up our child to a fantastic world, that hopefully Nick continues to explore and enjoy."
-Piper and Michael Beveridge, parents, Bethesda, MD (Classical Summer 2022)
“Emily’s participation in the Italian summer trip program was undoubtedly one of the highlights of her high school experience. It was extremely well organized and, due to its’ ability to rely on past trips, had the perfect mix of academics and cultural experiences. Being able to live with an Italian family and their high school child was something that also made the trip special. We also found that the experience of our daughter being able to travel abroad on her own with her peer group at this point in her life resulted in her coming home with what seemed like a more “independent” spirit and confidence that has continued throughout the rest of her high school experience.”
-Moe Hamilton, parent, McLean, VA (Classical Summer 2015)
"I went on every trip my school could offer me in high school. The Classical Summer trip was hands down the best one. The best trip because everything was perfect: the people, place, food, culture. I felt like I was exploring a culture but also felt at home at the same time. And of course the group I went with was amazing. We all became close because of the trip and Mrs. Maclean was the perfect adult. The summer after the exchange I went and visited my Italian hostess in Tuscany. Now I will be studying for a year in Italy (one semester in Rome and another in Florence.)"
-Shraddha Karnati, student, Hyderabad, India (Classical Summer 2013)
"Our family had the pleasure of hosting two high school students as part of the Classical Summer Program and it was such a wonderfully positive experience! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment with them, learning about Italian culture and sharing our culture with them. Both students spoke English very well and graciously entertained all our questions as we were eager to learn about their day-to-day life in Italy, specifically Cortona. We learned so much! It was incredibly fun taking them to as many American events and activities as we could fit in during their time here. They seemed to love it all! And our family is now very excited to be traveling to Italy for the first time this summer. We SO look forward to spending time with our friends in Cortona, meeting their families and experiencing the beauty and culture of their town!"
-Ann Martin, parent, Warrenton, VA (Classical Summer 2017)
"That program shifted my worldview. It was absolutely foundational in my decision to study Italian at the university level. In fact, I ended up winning UNC's department award for most excellent student in Italian. I studied abroad for my entire junior year in Bologna, Italy, and took classes directly at L'Università di Bologna. I felt comfortable living with Italian students because of my exchange experience in high school. During my time abroad I took trips to visit my old friends from my Classical Summer homestay. Those connections are lasting and valued."
-Caroline Klaff, student, Potomac Falls, VA (Classical Summer 2011)
"Erin had a wonderful experience on the trip. Visiting so many Roman sites made what she learning in Latin class come alive. The experience staying with a family with a high schooler in Cortona was the highlight of a trip filled with amazing experiences. She talked about it for weeks after returning home! Ms. Maclean packed so many fun and educational experiences into this trip. The cultural exchange continued when the Cortona students visited Washington, D.C. the following Thanksgiving. We had two of the Italian students stay with us, which was a lot of fun."
-Matt and Karla McGovern, parents, Leesburg, VA (Classical Summer 2013)
"One of my favorite parts of the trip was staying with the families. They are so exited to have an American come stay with them, and they're so hospitable!! They spoke English around me (if they knew it), and we were pretty much instant best friends/sisters. When we went out (to hang out with other Italians) I always felt included. The girls and boys I met in Italy were some of the sweetest and most fun people I have ever met, and we still keep in touch. I really miss them all (!) but I know that we'll be friends for life.
-Beatrice Werness, student, Great Falls, VA (Classical Summer 2011)
"My experience on the Classical Summer Trip was truly one of the highlights of my high school experience! As a Latin student, this trip really enriched my understanding of the language and its historical context, and it helped inspire me to continue studying Latin into college. Everything from the food to sightseeing to bonding with the Italians students and my fellow colleagues on the trip was so influential and enriching! This trip was educational but also fun, and set me on the path to be a stronger classics student!"
-Grace Kennedy, student, Alexandria, VA (Classical Summer 2015)