ADVENTURES AT FRANKLIN

Ciao a tutti, and welcome back to Adventures at Franklin!

The blogging torch has been passed yet again, and I will be taking over for this academic year. So let me introduce myself:



Name: Rhys Williams Hometown: Bloomfield, New Jersey Year: Sophomore Studies: Undeclared, leaning towards CLCS or COM FUS Dorm Residence: New B Interests: Dancing, cooking, eating, traveling, reading, etc.

I’m excited to give people access to more content about Franklin and the community we live in. Before that though, I thought I would introduce myself and what my experience at FUS has been like so far. Although the main focus of attending Franklin is academics, there are plenty of opportunities to have memorable experiences both in Sorengo (the area in which FUS is located) and more globally.
Sorengo, and the larger community, Lugano, is a beautiful area which is known as a 'must-see' spot, especially in Europe, because of its geography. It is lakeside in the mountains and very close to the It…

Another incredible Academic Travel period has come to a close, and stories are ready to be shared. There is nothing more rewarding than venturing to a destination that you have been studying for months, and watching the material come to life. Keep reading to find out more about some unique experiences from all over the world!
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Name: Professor Armando Zanecchia
Academic Department: Political Science/Business
Academic Travel Course Title: TVL 298 South Africa/Swaziland
Briefly describe the AT course: what is the concept behind the course, where did the course travel to, and how long have you been leading this course?
This course explores natural resource conservation, sustainability and cultural understanding in South Africa and Swaziland. I have been leading this course for 10 years.
What was your favorite memory from this travel session? Did anything surprise you?
Climbing Sibebe Peak in Swaziland, observing the Big 5 in Kruger National Park, and enjoying the students' appreciation o…

Being in Switzerland, one of the most sustainable countries in the world, it is difficult to not catch the sustainability bug. Reducing, reusing, and recycling quickly become a way of life here on the Franklin campus. There are several ways that I have become a more sustainable human being in the four years at FUS, and I’ll list some of the most notable ones below; afterward, I’ll discuss some of the sustainable initiatives we have here on campus.
Public Transportation
When I lived at home in California, I used to drive everywhere: school, friend’s houses, grocery stores – everywhere. When I am at FUS I walk everywhere, not because I have to, but because I want to. The Lugano hills might seem a bit intimidating at first, but eventually you learn to love them – especially because it means you don’t have to hit the gym as frequently. All of my friends live within a five or ten-minute walk from my door, and the 15 or 20-minute journey downtown goes by quickly with all of the distractingly…

A Day in the Life Of:

Name: Ember Mulcahy Hometown: Marin County, California Year: Senior Studies: Major in International Management; minor in Communications and Media Studies FUS Dorm Residence: New A Interests: Hiking; running; water sports; cooking; eating (mostly cheese and chocolate); and traveling

The goal of this post is to show you all what an average day in my life at FUS looks like. Franklin is an extremely unique campus, and it’s difficult to explain everything that goes on here, so I figured it would be easier to show you…

Friday February 16th, 2018
I started off my day with a run around the Laghetto di Muzzano, a small lake located directly behind my Franklin campus. Franklin students spend a few days per academic year volunteering with the Swiss environmental protection agency Pro Natura to keep this lake clean and beautiful. Before coming to Franklin, I was not much of a runner, but it's too beautiful in Lugano to not hit the trails. There is no need to drive to a trailh…

February is an exciting time to be on Franklin's beautiful campus, not too far from the historic city of Bellinzona, the capital of the canton Ticino in Switzerland, famous for its three castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000. Yes, it is always nice to be within a 20 minute train ride of a beautiful medieval city full of castles, and February is a particularly exciting time because of the city's carnival festivities. Every year, the capital of Ticino practically shuts down and welcomes its "doors" to 150,000 guests from other parts of Switzerland and Italy. 

Most people have heard of the carnival festivals in Venice and Rio de Janeiro, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The celebration in Bellinzona is similar to these events; however, it simply has not acquired the same international fame. This particular six-day-long festival is known to the locals as "Rabadan," meaning "noise" in the P…

December is upon us, and the festivities are well underway! The trees are lit, markets are open, and snowfall has begun. While students are finishing up essays and exams, they are also trying to fit in the last few days of winter exploration.
Side note: If you plan on journeying to an Italian-speaking destination during the holidays, you should know the word for Christmas – “Natale” – as it will pop up everywhere.



It all began on December 1st with a series of tree lightings in Lugano. First, Franklin students decorated the FUS Christmas tree on campus with lights, decorations, and – of course – tinsel. There were cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, and smiles so big that they could only be caused by holiday cheer. After the tree was sufficiently shiny, students wandered downtown to watch the city’s biggest Christmas tree light up in the main square (the Piazza della Riforma). After the long-awaited countdown, the packed crowd dispersed to explore the Christmas markets and warm up with…