Duke University Office of Study Abroad

Dear Office of Study Abroad:

We have been home for two and a half weeks now, which means I have been reminiscing about Venice – nonstop – for the past...two and a half weeks, give or take. Honestly, our entire experience in Venice was unparalleled. Particularly memorable, however, was our half day cruise up the Brenta River with none other than President Brodhead and his wife.

On Thursday, June 28th, the day before our departure from the half-fairytale locale that is Venice, we boarded Il Burchiello and traveled up the Brenta River. In addition to seeing more than fifty villas, we had the opportunity to dock at, and take a tour of, three of the most impressive villas along the river.

The villa in the photo, at which we are candidly posed, is arguably the grandest on the Brenta. Once a summer retreat for Venetian nobility, the Villa Pisani now functions as a National Museum. We were equally amazed by the Tiepolo masterpiece painted on the ceiling of the ballroom as we were by the beautiful gardens, reflection pool, and intricate labyrinth (which many attempted, yet few completed) all located in the Pisani’s very own backyard.

One of the highlights of the day undoubtedly was stopping for an elegant lunch where we engaged in casual conversation with the Brodheads. Throughout our six weeks in Venice we truly immersed ourselves in the art, religion, and overall Venetian culture to which we were so fortunately exposed. Hence, this trip up the Brenta river – during which we observed art, architecture, and natural beauty that only the waters surrounding La Serenissima could provide – was the perfect culmination to our time spent growing, both as students and as well-rounded individuals, in Venice. Our bus ride home was a quiet one, each of us silently reflecting on the past six weeks and anticipating what the following day would bring.

The next morning we packed our bags and headed home. For the first time in a month and a half, home did not mean San Servolo, our beloved island, which we had come to call by this weighty four letter word, but rather our respective homes in America. Though our time in Venice has expired, each of us will forever have the memories of this ideal abroad experience and will likely never forget this day spent with the president of our esteemed university.

– Amanda Conway