End of Semester Student Club Recap — Spring 2026

From the Student Club Leader Team 

Student clubs are one of the best parts of life at Marist Italy. They’re where friendships form, where you find your people, and where studying abroad starts to feel like home. This semester, our clubs gathered for everything from grilled cheese nights to foreign film screenings, community art visits, and handwritten notes scattered across Florence. 

Continue reading to hear what each club leader had to say, what they got up to this semester  — and a peek at what’s coming next year.

The Butterfly Project

Led by Sam Tessier

The Butterfly Project centers on the idea that small acts can create a ripple effect. This year, students built community through handwritten notes of kindness, shared within Marist and across Florence in multiple languages, sparking meaningful connections. Initiatives like midterm flower distributions celebrated women’s access to education, with plans to expand next year through events like “Bald for a Cause.”

Next year, this project will grow, as proper letterboxes will be added in the residence building. You see the ripple effect?

Sandwich Club

Led by Ella Boyd

Sandwich Club kept things fun and hands-on this semester, from building ice cream cookie sandwiches to crafting custom grilled cheese with creative add-ins. Meetings were lively, a little chaotic, and centered around experimenting with flavors while cooking together.

Most recently, members made classic BLTs on fresh ciabatta, with plenty of room for personalization and a relaxed, social atmosphere. Next semester, expect more themed meetings, creative recipes, and a continued focus on bringing people together through food.

Get HYPE for the LAST Sandwich Club meeting in Florence… SANDWICH CRAWL!!!!! Details coming soon.

Foreign Film Club

Led by Rosa Benders

Foreign Films, Changing Perspectives was a new club at Marist Italy this semester that came together weekly to watch award-winning foreign films in their original language, directed by someone from that country. We actively challenged the regular media landscape and consciously widened the media we consume to films that portray authentic, human perspectives, unfamiliar conflicts, and cultural history.

The club movie list included:

• A Separation (2011) — Iran, dir. Asghar Farhadi
• Roma (2018) — México, dir. Alfonso Cuarón
• Grave of the Fireflies (1988) — Japan, dir. Isao Takahata (Studio Ghibli)
• The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025) — Palestine/Tunisia, dir. Kaouther Ben Hania
• A City of Sadness (1989) — Taiwan, dir. Hou Hsiao-hsien

We identified gaps in our global education, prepared historical context for each film, and discussed not just the cultures and conflicts at hand, but censorship, activism, the impact of control over narrative, and the visual creative language of film itself.

As a symbolic kickstart to making small differences, the club funds will be donated to the United Nations Population Fund’s ongoing efforts for pregnant women, new mothers, and their children in the Gaza Strip — a physical representation of the power our choices hold. With a never-ending list of perspectives still to watch, the club will continue next year.

Soap! Periodica

Led by Ainsley Walter

This semester was a busy one — filled with many meetings, many texts, many emails, and many issues. Filled with reflection and anticipation.

The semester started at the club fair, where we prepared a mini-issue based on the poem “The Orange” by Wendy Cope, illustrated by our own Jennifer Cabrera. We then moved into planning and production of Issue 05: Blood Orange, opening submissions in February and closing in April. We had a record number of writing submissions and an overall amazing quality of work.

On top of that, we held an open call for our exhibition Note to Self at the LdM gallery — exciting because we expanded our reach to gain multiple submissions from Italian students at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Florence.

Overall, this last semester for the original SOAP! team has been very fulfilling and very joyous. We have seen our goal of bringing a platform to student artists evolve and come into fruition, and that is more than we could ever ask for. Thank you!

Fashion Club

Led by Maya-Maria Willis

This semester, Fashion Club looked at popular designers and niche fashion shows, analyzed outfit construction, and explored the relationship between fashion, music, and atmosphere. Everything is connected to mood and storytelling. Members shared their own ideas and inspirations, deconstructing the creative process behind each look and collection.

Arts Society

Led by Erin Gage

The Arts Society organized three museum visits this semester, beginning with Museo Novecento’s Villa Romana exhibition, followed by a trip to Palazzo Strozzi to experience Rothko’s work. These visits gave students the opportunity to explore different artistic movements while engaging with Florence’s cultural spaces in a social, accessible way.

The final visit will take place at Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, focusing on the Art Deco period and its design influences. The Arts Society will continue in the fall with more curated museum outings and opportunities to explore art together.

The Arts Society will be running once again for at least three more special visits! Stay tuned for what’s coming up in the Fall!

International Club

Led by Jude Ayroud

This semester in the International Club, we got to explore different cultures together — trying new foods, adding new songs to our playlists, and testing our knowledge with trivia. Getting to share our cultures with one another has been such a great way to build community far from the ones we grew up in. The opportunity to immerse yourself in something alternative to what you’re used to is always a great experience, especially when you’re already far from home. We hope International Club continues to be a space for students to broaden their horizons each semester.

Needle Drop

Led by Sophia Efimova

Needle Drop had numerous meetings this semester where we discussed and explored various genres and musical topics. We had a variety of albums picked this semester, from electronic dance music to psychedelic 70s rock. 

This semester is the last semester of Needle Drop (for the foreseeable future), so we had to make the most of our meetings! Conversations about the album would almost always lead to everyone catching up with each other, talking about weekend plans, etc while watching music videos associated with the weekly album and artist.

This club was invaluable for me in freshman year when I started it, as it allowed me and other students to connect over something universally loved: music! I met two of my closest friends through of this club and will always cherish the calm, sometimes silly meetings we would have with everyone in a space that was incredibly welcoming. Thank you to everyone who joined us this semester and to everyone who’s been involved since the beginning! It’s been awesome 🌟🌟🌟

Clubs across campus also fostered connection — from Arts Society’s museum visits, to International Club’s cultural exchanges, to Needle Drop’s music discussions. As some clubs continue and others conclude, students are encouraged to bring new ideas and keep building community next semester.

Want to start a club next semester?

Clubs are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to build community at Marist Italy. Whether you have a fully formed idea or just a vibe, we’d love to see what you bring to the table next fall.

Fill out the Fall 2026 Student Club Interest Form here