University of Wisconsin–Madison

Italy: Naomi Slipka (The 5 Senses in Bologna)

A courtyard surrounded by buildings with archways on all three sides. The sun is shining behind the building in the center, casting it in a sunny glow.

Hello everyone! I’m Naomi, a student in the Bologna Consortial Studies Program in Bologna, Italy. I have so much to share about my time here so far that I don’t know where to begin, so I thought I’d start with a little bit of everything. Keep reading to experience a bit of Bologna through the five senses.

An orange bowl filled with a cheesy dish, topped with a basil leaf.

First off, we have sight, and of course, I had to go with Piazza Maggiore. Piazza Maggiore is located in the heart of the city center and is home to some of Italy’s most historic monuments, including La Basilica di San Petronio (Saint Petronius Basilica) and La Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune’s Fountain). This charming town square is lined with dozens of coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, and museums, as well as daily live music right in the center of it all.

A street lined with bright yellow and red buildings, with one building having a bridge between both sides of the street.

In addition to Bologna’s rich history, it is also widely regarded as the food capital of Italy. Typical Bolognese dishes include a variety of pastas and red meat sauces, as well as a famous deli meat known as mortadella, which I absolutely love! Here, I have pictured one of my favorite dishes that I’ve had so far: Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. It is an incredible dish made with gnocchi baked in tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. I highly recommend it if you are ever in northern Italy!

A white cup of coffee on a small white plate.

Bologna is also home to a network of canals that were built around the Middle Ages and used to power factories and mills in the area. Today, the gentle flow of the running water can still be heard throughout various parts of the city. Not only are these canals valuable pieces of history, but they are also some of Bologna’s most picturesque hidden gems.

The edge of a soccer field is surrounded by stands of cheering fans in red.

For smell, I had to go with espresso. Coffee is deeply ingrained in Italian culture, but it’s quite different from the coffee we are used to drinking in America. Italians primarily drink espresso, which is a concentrated form of coffee that has a thicker consistency and more intense flavor. It is actually pretty rare for locals to drink lattes, americanos, or coffee with milk and sugar here. Espresso, however, is commonly ordered at any time of the day or night! Because of this, you can expect to be met with the inviting aroma of freshly ground espresso beans everywhere you go.

After having the opportunity to go to an F.C Bologna soccer game, I quickly realized that the energy here is unmatched! The stadium comes alive with students from the University of Bologna, alumni, and local fans, all chanting and supporting their team in unison. Being a part of that electrifying atmosphere and witnessing the immense pride that people have for their city was truly unforgettable – an experience that goes far beyond just watching a game.

Naomi sits on a white bench surrounded by a bunch of bushes and flowers.

Naomi Slipka

Hometown: Shakopee, Minnesota

Major: Psychology

Program: Bologna Consortial Studies Program

I chose this program because I wanted to participate in an Italian-immersive program and I love the college-town feel of Bologna. I most look forward to learning about the history of the university and the famous cuisine that comes out of Bologna.