While the Panthers have been busy in the practice gym getting ready for the on-court portion of their trip to Italy, the team gathered Tuesday morning in the athletics classroom for a little Italy 101.
UWM's Vice Chancellor for Partnerships and Innovation Dr. Joan Prince spoke to the team about her many experiences in Italy - clearly one of her favorite places in the world - and what simply can't be missed in Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como or points in between. Dr. Prince, a longtime supporter of athletics, also filled our full travel group in about the ins and outs of travel and customs in Italy.
The meeting also included UWM's Center for International Education, providing even more insights on overseas travel, especially for student groups. The topics covered included everything from being a good representative of the University to watching out for pickpockets in crowded spaces. There were also good discussions about conversions - the monetary kind and the electrical kind. If the lessons were heard, everyone now knows how the Euro compares to the U.S. Dollar and to not plug your electric razor (or curling iron in Dr. Joan's example) into a non-converted plug.
It was actually a lot to throw at the team in about 75 minutes, especially when many of them have not traveled overseas and might now be a little overwhelmed. (We'll do a survey on that front when we're sitting at the airport). But, for those of us who have been over, once you settle in and adjust to a few simple things, it's not much different than existing in any other big city. They'll pick up on that part soon enough.
Back on the court, the Panthers went through a spirited workout in the heat of the UWM Pavilion Tuesday afternoon. The team will take Wednesday off and then get back to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday before departure on Sunday.
