One great thing about Park University is that not only do you get to have this amazing cultural experience on campus but you also have the opportunity to venture out and experience cultures in their own setting.

I, along with Emily Day, sophomore education major; and Hannah Bertram, sophomore English major; experienced just that.

During fall break this semester, we embarked on an amazing journey to Italy along with Dr. Silvia Byer and some of her other students from the Survey of European literature class.

The opportunities did not end after the almost two weeks in Italy. As an extended invitation from Dr. Byer, we were asked to attend a champagne toast with the Ambassador of Italy to the United States Claudio Bisogniero.

The event was sponsored and held at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. Sponsors also included the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C., the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago and the Honorary Vice Consulate of Italy in Kansas City.

The event was to celebrate and preview War and Art, a new exhibition that just opened at the National World War I Museum curated by the Instituto per la storia del Risorgimento italiano in Rome featuring photographs never before seen outside of Italy.

The event also marked the first time in over 50 years that the Ambassador of Italy to the United States had visited Kansas City.

We, along with Dr. Byer and others from the Italian community of Kansas City, were allowed a sneak peek of the exhibit before it opened to the public.

The experience was one of a kind – not only having the opportunity to meet the ambassador but also to view the exhibit before it opened to the public was very special for both students.

“The exhibit at the World War I museum featuring the Italian photos of famous art and monuments being protected during World War I was amazing,” said Day. “I think the museum did a great job in conveying ‘War and Art.’ I enjoyed the exhibit and hope to go back and see it again,” she said.

The War and Art gallery remains open until Feb. 18, 2015, in Memory Hall. It was an honor to attend and an experience only Park University can afford its students.