I have been fortunate to have been able to participate in both the "Your Renaissance" and the "Life the Italian Way" programs. There were so many things that I liked about these programs that it is difficult to single any one in particular. For example, the materials were excellent. That is, the works of art that we examined in the "Your Renaissance" sessions were incredibly beautiful and interesting. The same is true of the wide cross-section of films that were reviewed in the "Life the Italian Way" sessions. The way these different art forms, paintings and movies, were presented within the context of Italian history, life, and culture made the sessions really come to life. I found myself looking forward to the next session with anticipation and enthusiasm. Michael G.

Teaching is an art form and Maura is a master of the art. If your passion is to explore the beauty of Italy's language and culture, you will be in the hands of a teacher who has a profound understanding of Italy's humanistic heritage. And for the diligent student, she can offer you the keys to open that treasure using the most beautiful language in the world. Gerald

The Italian Coaching Programs have helped my understanding, knowledge, and appreciation for the Italian culture and language immensely. From just a language point of view, my vocabulary has increased enormously, my written expression has improved, my reading comprehension has improved, and certainly my oral presentation and understanding has improved significantly. From a cultural understanding and knowledge, I have learned so much it is really difficult to explain. I now follow Italian politics by reading articles and blogs, I watch economy, and I continue to rent/buy Italian movies. There was one incident in particular with which I was very pleased with myself. It happened shortly after I finished the "Your Renaissance" program. There is comment that is attributed to Michelangelo about the reason he was predestined to be a sculptor. Someone I was talking with asked, in Italian, if I knew to whom the comment was related, I cannot express the pride I felt when I responded, in Italian, Michelangelo and the background surrounding it. Michael G.

In the Coaching program there were always additional questions that were really challenging within context of how I thought about myself, my life, my culture, the aspect of the Italian culture covered in the session, and how all these things did or did not relate to one another. Some of the questions were difficult to answer, but, for me, that only made them more interesting.

However, I guess that what I found most interesting and enjoyable in the Coaching program was the interaction with Maura. The dialogue that we shared during each session was always thought provoking and fun. She was always incredibly patient and supportive. There were days when la mia lingua just would not come out correctly and I would struggle. Those were some best days because Maura would really coach me through them. I learn a great deal about the Italian Language and the Italian Culture from Maura, she is a wonderful teacher and a guide. My favorite experience, and one I will always look back on with a smile, was the afternoon Maura and I shared in Rome. We had lunch, toured the museum and gardens at the Villa Borghese, and had a magnificent conversation. The only thing I regret about this experience, was I forget to ask if we could have a picture taken of us together. Michael G.