Dr. Cynthia White - A legacy of transformational learning through study abroad
Dr. Cynthia White, Professor Emerita of Classics at the University of Arizona, has spent her career bridging the gap between ancient texts and modern life. For over two decades, she has guided students on immersive study abroad programs that bring life into the pages of classical literature, transforming the abstract into tangible experiences. Dr. White’s study abroad programs, primarily set in Italy, offer students not only an academic journey but also a profoundly personal one that helps them see the world through new eyes.
Her programs are designed to offer students an "in-situ" learning experience that fuses the intellectual with the experiential. The goal is to make students independent thinkers, capable of navigating unfamiliar settings, absorbing local culture, and reflecting deeply on what they see and do. They typically fall into two main categories: a 10-day spring break trip and a five-week summer program through the Honors College.
(left to right) Cynthia White, Alba Frascarelli, and Dafne Johnson in Orvieto.
Dr. White’s study abroad programs thrive due to the dedication and teamwork of many individuals who have contributed to their success over the years. Central to this success is the strategic guidance of Harmony DeFazio, executive director of Study Abroad, paired with the daily oversight currently provided by Dafne Johnson, Study Abroad program manager. Their work, alongside the dedication of the UA Study Abroad staff, ensures that each program runs smoothly and effectively, creating enriching experiences for all participants.
The spring break program, which Dr. White fondly refers to as “an antipasto of Italy,” offers a whirlwind tour of Venice, Florence, Rome, and sometimes Pompeii and Sorrento. These trips are designed for students who can’t commit to a full semester abroad to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich cultural and historical heritage. For some of them, it’s their only opportunity to experience international education before they graduate.
Her summer program is a more immersive and academically rigorous experience. Dr. White worked closely with International Education Project Manager Lysette Davi to develop a full semester of study before and during the trip, earning academic credit while exploring Italy’s ancient world. The summer program combines Rome with another location with ties to ancient Rome such as London or Athens. Always included in both programs is a day trip to the charming town of Orvieto, where Dr. White has taught for several summers as part of the Arizona in Orvieto program under the direction of Alba Frascarelli, Orvieto program director. But Dr. White’s programs aren’t just about learning about antiquity—they’re about engaging with it in a way that can’t be replicated in the classroom.
Immersive and Interactive Learning
One hallmark of Dr. White’s study abroad experience is how she places the responsibility for learning squarely in the hands of her students. From day one, students are tasked with independent assignments that require them to navigate a foreign city and currency, interact with locals, and reflect on their surroundings. One of her favorite assignments includes a scavenger hunt in Rome, where students are challenged to locate key landmarks from the iconic film ‘Roman Holiday’. Another requires students to compose poems after visiting the catacombs or to pair a song with a Bernini sculpture.
Dr. White tasks students with independent assignments that require them to navigate a foreign city and currency, interact with locals, and reflect on their surroundings.
Her programs also encourage students to engage with both material culture and texts. They read Petrarch’s letters while walking through the streets of Rome, and Byron’s poetry while sitting in the Colosseum. “It's a mix of text and material culture,” says Dr. White. “And students love the independence. They are guided to explore history, art, and literature in ways that feel deeply personal.”
For many students, Dr. White’s study abroad programs are life-changing. Dr. White recounts one memorable moment when three of her students, who had bonded during a summer trip to Italy, sent her a video from Iceland, where they were traveling together a year later. “They said, ‘Look, you made us addicted to traveling abroad,’” she recalls. These students had never traveled before, but the experience in Italy had ignited a passion for global exploration. Many of Dr. White’s students go on to pursue further study abroad opportunities, with some even requesting her guidance for future international adventures.
Dr. White’s programs also foster a sense of confidence and independence in her students. By the end of the trip, students who were initially nervous about venturing out on their own are eager to show their families around the country. “Students who never before traveled outside of Tucson now feel like they can travel the world,” says Dr. White. “It’s a joy for me to watch their confidence grow as they meet the challenges and delights of studying abroad!”
A Lifelong Love for Italy and Teaching
Dr. White’s own love for Italy began during her early years as a Latin and Greek teacher, when a scholarship allowed her to study the ancient world in person for the first time. That experience opened her eyes to the importance of seeing history in its original context, and she has been bringing that experience to her students ever since. “I realized that in-situ learning was nothing you could duplicate in a classroom,” she explains.
Despite her retirement, Dr. White continues to lead these transformative programs. Her dedication to her students and to making Classics come alive in cities and streets all over Italy has left a lasting impact on the University of Arizona community.
For Dr. White, the most rewarding part of this work is watching her students’ excitement as they share their discoveries.
“At the end of the day, they’re practically bursting out of their seats to share what they did, what they saw,” she says. “They’re learning in a way that is alive and active, and that’s something that’s hard to recreate in a traditional classroom.”
As Dr. White’s programs continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: her unwavering belief in the power of international education. “Everyone is curious,” she says. “Everyone wants to experience the joy of discovery. My goal is to use the cities we visit as our text, to step into antiquity.”
Dr. Cynthia White’s study abroad programs aren’t just about understanding history—they’re about opening students’ eyes to the world, and helping them become more confident, independent, and global citizens. Through her work, generations of students have learned not only to appreciate the past but to understand their place in the world today.