MUNCIE, Ind.-A small Italian city is expanding its presence at trade shows, business meetings and hiking clubs due to the work of a Ball State University professor and his students.

Dom Caristi, a telecommunications professor, recently led 31 students from various colleges and universities on a semester-long study abroad program in Macerata, a community of 50,000 residents.

During fall semester, his students helped create promotional videos for the local chamber of commerce, a hiking club and an elementary school.

"As part of the program the students worked on videos to showcase the community to other parts of Italy and Europe as well as the rest of the world," Caristi said. "It was a pretty difficult project considering that few of our students spoke Italian fluently.

"Some of them also had little or no experience with video photography or editing," he said. "The students had an opportunity to learn new communications skills. They also learned the culture by working directly with the Italian-speaking business people and community leaders."

While in Macerata, students took courses in the Italian language and in Italian/European culture, art and history. Students also had the option of living in an apartment with other students or, on a limited basis, living with an Italian family. The Macerata program is sponsored by the Midwest Consortium for Study Abroad and administered by AHA International.

Kelly Griese, a senior from Santa Claus, Ind., said the trip was challenging due to the initial language barrier. She was assigned to the team developing a promotional video for the town's chamber of commerce.

"It was difficult at first because I didn't speak the language," she said. "Then (when I could) I only understood about half of what was going on in group discussions.

"I think they (chamber officials) were pleased with (the video) because we showcased the craftsmanship of the workers in the local factories," she said. "It makes me really proud of what we did over there. And, I couldn't imagine not going. It was a great experience."

The trip also was the second homecoming for Caristi, the son of Italian immigrants. During the four-month return to his parents' native country, he immersed himself in the Italian culture.

While Caristi and his students worked feverishly to produce their videos, outside the classrooms and production facilities, they enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of Italy.

"If you are used to things starting on time, don't go to Italy," he said. "Meetings start 45 minutes late and no one thinks a thing about it. Dinner will last three hours and lunch takes at least two hours. There isn't the urgency we have here."

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Caristi at dgcaristi@bsu.eduor (765) 285-1493. Caristi posted additional information about his Italian trip at caristi.blogspot.com.)